Each week we bring you the latest news, commentary, and special deals from the world of adventure travel. Here are some stories that may be of interest from the past seven days.
Earthquake Rattles Chile
An 8.3 magnitude earthquake struck central Chile on Wednesday, prompting the evacuation of more than a million people along the coast of the country. Meanwhile a Tsunami alert was issued as 15-foot high waves struck the Chilean shores, instilling more fear into the people living there.
That alert was eventually lifted, but travel throughout the country is severely disrupted at the moment. Fortunately, casualties were at a minimum, although many people are currently without power or clean drinking water. If you have plans to visit Chile in the near future, be advised that it could take weeks, or even months, to clean up the damage and restore power and water to certain areas.
Egyptian Security Forces Kill 12 Tourists
Sad news out of Egypt this week, where it was revealed that 12 tourists were accidentally killed by security forces patrolling the country's Western Desert. The incident took place near the Bahariya oasis, although what exactly happened is still under investigation. Apparently, the group of travelers was in the area without the proper permits, which caused the gunmen to become suspicious and open fire indiscriminately. 10 other members of the group were injured in the attack, which has been widely condemned.
This tragic incident comes at a time when Egypt is trying desperately to rebuild its fragile tourism economy following the Arab Spring uprising that took place in 2011.
Since that time, travelers have been reluctant to return in large numbers, crippling the economy there. I personally visited the area earlier this year, and found it to be safe, quiet, and welcoming. I was even in Bahariya, an area that is popular with travelers looking to escape Cairo and some of the other popular tourist attractions.
I offer my condolences to the friends and family of those who were killed, and hope that Egypt can get its act together soon. It is a fantastic country with a lot to offer.
Visit New Zealand... for $83,000!
New Zealand is a popular tourist destination for adventure travelers, in no small part because it offers some of the most spectacular outdoor locations found anywhere on the planet. But a company called Frontier Travel is offering a new luxury excursion to the land of the kiwi that just might be the most expensive tour the country has ever seen. The 44-day itinerary includes 35 days in New Zealand itself, and nine more in Hawaii. The trip offers whitewater rafting on the Rangitaiki River, as well as wine tastings, fly fishing excursions, and stays in some of the country's top lodges. Prices start at a cool $83,000 per couple however, which puts this excursion well out of the price range of most of us.
ATTA Introduces First Ever Guide Standard for Adventure Travel Industry
Earlier in the week the Adventure Travel Trade Association announced that it is nearing completion on its efforts to create the first ever standards for adventure travel guide qualifications and performance. The effort first got underway back in January of this year, and will be open for discussion at the ATTA's upcoming conference to be held in Puerto Varas, Chile. The hope is to create a set of standard guidelines that adventure travel guides must meet in order to ensure clients are safe and secure when visiting remote – possibly dangerous – locations. The ATTA hopes that through their efforts, countries and governments across the globe can more safely monitor the growing adventure travel industry, making it better for travelers.
Tour d'Afrique Rebrands Itself as TDA Global Cycling
It is no secret that cycling tours have been amongst the fastest growing segments of the adventure travel industry. One of the companies that has been at the forefront of that movement for a number of years is Tour d'Afrique, which began with its namesake ride from Cairo to Cape Town. But over the years the company expanded its offerings, to the point where it now organizes tours on six continents, passing through over 60 countries. To better reflect its changing business, Tour d'Afrique has now changed its name to TDA Global Cycling. This rebranding won't impact the great cycling tours that the company has always offered, but does indicate that it is an organization that now operates all over the world.
Visit Costa Rica on the Cheap!
Want to go to Costa Rica this fall but don't have much money to get away? Then you're in luck, because Adventures in Reach is currently running a great promotion to help travelers reach the Central American paradise. The company has two itineraries to choose from, both of which are 8 days in length with visits to various sights throughout the country, including the famous Manuel Antonio National Park and Arenal Volcano. Prices start at just $845 without airfare. Check them out here.
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