Sustainable tourism in Mexico has recently seen some interesting initiatives for this niche, one definately worth watching. The latest ‘noteworthy’ event is the coming together of the Mexican Tourism Board (MTB) and Green Living Project™ (GLP), a broadcast-media network that covers the advance of sustainability projects around the globe. The video above is a documentary on sustainable tourism in the Andes.

At the moment, documentary film highlighting 6 sustainable tourism projects in the Republic’s southeastern states of Quintana Roo, Yucatan; Chiapas and Oaxaca, is being carried out by the partnership ‘in preparation’ for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP16), the first full meeting since the Copenhagen talks -Literally!- and will open its doors on Nov. 29^th and continue until Dec.10^th.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) was the norm used when deciding which of the many eligible, tourism-related sustainable projects in the country were to be chosen for the filming by the MTB and its partners: Rainforest Alliance, Conservation International and Sustainable Travel International, along with many others.

According to Denia del Valle, Sustainable Tourism Program Manager (Mesoamerica) for Rainforest Alliance, the idea is “to provide the general public, government officials and other key stakeholders with information on the work we are doing with tourism businesses committed to sustainable principles in Mexico,” initially within the confines of the UN climate change conference, Cancun.

For his part, Rob Holmes, Founder and President of GLP, commented that “Showcasing these projects and destinations at the UN Climate Change Conference this fall will be an excellent way for everyone involved to support, promote, and celebrate the importance and benefits of sustainable tourism in relation to tourism and climate change.”

For more info, take a visit to www.greenlivingproject.com

Interested in GLP Membership? Get in touch with  Program Manager, Jenny Ersbak:
membership@greenlivingproject.com

During the closing ceremony for this year’s Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) held in Aviemore, Scotland, last week, Mexican tourism officials announced that this important annual event is to be hosted in Mexico for the ninth edition.

The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) chose San Cristóbal de las Casas in the beautiful southern Mexican state of Chiapas, over several sites throughout North America, as the venue for next year’s ATWS Congress,’ from October 17^th to the 20^th, which should, like the Aveimore 2010 edition, attract at least 600 specialists in Adventure Travel.

This announcement comes shortly after the Mexican tourism authorities signed up to the *Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international partnership dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices around the world. In 2008, Mexico came in at number 33 in the World Travel Index Ranking so there’s room for improvement there, if not in the setting.

Whether or not the signing up to the GSTC was taken into account by the organisers of the ATWS I know not, but on the official ATTA Website one of the primary reasons given for choosing San Cristóbal de las Casas as the venue was: “the state’s partnership orientation and readiness and willingness to press forward on progressive adventure tourism development.”

In the words of Antonio del Rosal, a Marketing Coordinator for Mexico´s Tourism Board: “The Summit ties in directly with Mexico’s overall tourism strategy because we want to complement the world’s understanding of Mexico as a sun and beach destination to show a side of Mexico that is even more exotic and diverse naturally and culturally.” And that, by the way, is in contrast to 11,122 kilometers of coastline, according to Mexico’s National Statistics Institute (INEGI).

With Chiapas as the host destination for next year’s ATTA Summit, Mexico will have the perfect opportunity to show the world, and directly to representatives from over 50 countries, that the Mexican Republic possesses an incredible assortment of natural habitats that make the perfect setting for each and every type of adventure travel.

The ATWS 2011 is without doubt one of next year’s best networking opportunities for the country’s adventure-travel businesses and the promotion of their adventure-travel destinations, which is why next year’s official sponsors include the Chiapas Convention and Visitors Bureau, the State Government of Chiapas, the Mexican Tourism Ministry and the country’s Tourism Promotion Board, among others.

The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) is a privately held, for-profit industry trade group that serves to network, educate, professionalize and promote the adventure travel industry by helping adventure tourism businesses and destinations worldwide succeed and works to get others who should be investing in this industry educated about who the adventure traveler is, according to the official Web page.

*The GSTC was founded collectively by the World Tourism Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme, the UN Foundation, Rainforest Alliance, Sabre/Travelocity, and others.

As usual, at least for the last three years, the International Whale Shark Day will be celebrated on August 30th in an attempt to promote knowledge on, and protection to, these gentle, 50-foot giants who gorge themselves on the abundant plankton available in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean.

Many people are aware of the phenomenon of the migratory whale-watching season in the Sea of Cortez, in Mexico’s north, but: How many people are aware of the arrival of the world’s largest fish to Mexico’s Caribbean shores? – Not so many.

That is just one of the reasons why the International Whale Shark Day was created, just 2 years ago, during the first Int. Whale Shark Conference held on Isla Holbox in 2008.

To celebrate the fact that Mexican seas host the largest registered population of this incredible animal, the Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has organized a contest for round-trip tickets for a 4 day, 3- night trip for two to Cancun, with hotel accommodation provided and the ‘dream-come-true’ opportunity to swim amongst the visiting whale sharks.

Though the season begins on May 15th, these impressive visitors spend time in the area until the end of September, the month with the most numerous population in attendance.

If you’re interested in winning the trip, visit Cancun CVB’s social media page: http://www.facebook.com/cancuncvb. The winner will be announced on August 30th.

By “LIKING” the page, new fans will be randomly selected to receive a signature Cancun CVB stuffed Whale Shark in honor of the largest fish in the world. Participants are then automatically entered to win a trip for two to swim with these gentle giants.

Once you receive the Whale Shark, all you need to do is submit a funny and unique photo of their stuffed Whale Shark and post it on the CVB’s Facebook page; the person who submits most original and unique photo will win.

So, why not become a fan of Cancun’s CVB facebook page and you’re in with a chance of a FREE visit to Cancun!

The Grand Palladium Riviera Maya Resort & Spa Complex, part of the Fiesta Hotel Group, has just received the most prestigious award with regard to the protection of the environment, the Green Globe Award, which is granted by the EarthCheck Organization.

Respect for the environment is of great importance in any sector, but given that tourism is often located in the most beautiful parts of the globe, it is always nice to hear that the world’s natural attractions are being respected, whilst benefitting the local communities.

The Grand Palladium Riviera Maya Resort & Spa has, without doubt, been given the award for its care of the surrounding habitat whilst reducing its carbon footprint through the reduction in the use of energy (5%) and strict control with regard to the disposal of waste.

The ‘Green Globe’ awards recognise those companies that have gone above and beyond the necessary legal requirements with respect to the environmental controls placed by the local governments.

According to Stewart Moore, spokesman for EC3 Global, “The Grand Palladium Riviera Maya Resort Complex is an example of an organization which has a proven commitment to environmentally sustainable tourism.