Open Jaw :: On The Town ::

with Martha Chapman
28OCT08

ACTO’s Donald Sinclair

Artist Ramon Plaguaje came to show his beautiful paintings

Some of the indigenous products officials hope will find a market in Canada

Amazonia: It’s A Jungle Out There!

Here’s the latest about “Amazonia” – the vast area which is home to the mighty Amazon River and its tributaries. A recent survey revealed that travellers think of it as mysterious, dangerous and secret. Which can be good, sold to the right client. But alas, not good enough. Hotels in the eight countries in question (Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela) sometimes run at only 10% occupancy.

Enter ACTO – the new Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization. Several members recently visited Toronto to convene with mentors and advisors at George Brown College to see how they can learn from Canadian tour companies and indigenous tourism specialists. The goals? To raise the profile of the region, develop sustainable tourism, and award those who lead and inspire.

The event included an unveiling of the ACTO mandate to various tourism officials and a mini trade show where indigenous crafts and food were highlighted.

“In order to preserve this vast region, we must try to design a responsible tourism experience, not just lock the place away,” said ACTO’s Donald Sinclair. “By promoting ecotourism we can provide the financing necessary to help preserve nature and provide employment.”

So if you’ve got clientele interested in nature (there are over five million square kilometers and half the world’s remaining rainforest), keep your eyes open for new multi-country itineraries. Tourists without borders, unite!