The Blue Yonder

Understanding traveler perspectives.

2012-02-15T17:24:00.004+05:30

I believe that the difference tourism can make in communities depends on how well we understand them. This counts for the people you visit, but also for you, the travelers across the world. Why you travel, and how you experience the stories shared by people you visit, is important. I believe that your insights and perspectives on the trips you take can help in working with local communities as they seek to understand the people visiting them, just as you seek to understand those you visit.

Therefore, I would like to invite you to participate in the research that I am undertaking to understand travelers expectations and perceptions about destinations and experiences. I will be interviewing travelers from Europe who travel to South Asian and African countries with tour operators with a focus on responsible tourism. I will be conducting in-depth interviews with travelers from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Great Britain, Denmark and Sweden.

If you are a traveller based in any of the above countries, feel free to get in touch with me on mariska (at) theblueyonder (dot) com to be part of this interesting initiative. I speak English, German and Dutch, so feel free to converse with me in any of these languages. Please contact me to make an appointment to do an interview with you in the coming months. I will also be available at The Blue Yonder stand 201 at hall 4.1 at ITB Berlin between 07-11 March 2012.

Champaner, Gujarat

2012-02-13T13:30:00.007+05:30

Sahar ni Masjid (Photo Credit: Madhu Reddy)

As we traversed the length and breadth of Gujarat, our feet ached and our spirits were slightly weary. So on the last day, when we were supposed to visit Champaner, all of us had second thoughts about actually making the trip.

I had first heard of Champaner through a friend who was studying in Ahmedabad and would make a quick weekend trip to Champaner when he wanted to escape the chaotic clutches of city life. I remember him telling me about the mounted heritage structures scattered across the dusty little town. I had immediately then drawn a picture of it in my head and it certainly did seem like place I would have liked to experience.

Out first stopover was at the Sahar ki Masjid which is a sandstone mosque with towering minarets etched with the most intense designs. My fellow travelers and I were the only ones in the mosque. That allowed me to seek my own space and as I walked pass the sturdy columns, the mosque took me back hundreds of years. The guide’s voice echoed in my head and his words brought forth an army of Jains, Muslims and Hindus who congregated at the mosque. The influence of all the three communities was starkly visible in the sculpted ceilings and doors.

The wind was chilly and as my fingers traced the shivering marble centerpiece, the artwork narrated tales of the skill and time which must have gone into creating the momentous structure. The guide says that there exists no documented evidence of this place ever having been used as a mosque. And the geography of the structure complies as one sees the wide open space where conversations must have nurtured between columns.

Our next stop was the Jami Masjid, another stupendous testimonial of the Mahmud Begada’s rule on Champaner when he made the city the capital of Gujarat. We were fortunate to have reached this Mosque just as a bunch of tourists were stepping out. As we paved our way through the stoned arch laced in lattice, the mosque came into view. It was lined by balconies and minarets and several local children who were perhaps on a school trip. Their buzzing bickering and colored outfits contrasted with the 15^th century structure which rebelled with its symmetry and even use of sandstone.

The afternoon sun played hide and seek with the latticed windows and balconies and drew pretty patterns on the floor. Pigeons cooed away in corners of the murky mosque. Two men discussed employment options sitting inside the cool carved space before the window. Children streaked pass the columns leaving their shadows behind. The large dome with intricate carvings offered protection from the heady sunrays. Time passed slowly and quickly, all at once.

I was humbled by this feat of beauty which offered very limited utility in our current times but overwhelmed me with its powerful aesthetic composition. I am usually skeptical of history books and especially great rulers like Mahmud Begada. I always wonder about the lives lost, the struggle for power and the very need for a ruler to indulge in an extravagant expense of building a structure of this size and beauty when it could be used for the benefit of the proletariat.

However, in that moment, I thanked Mahmud Begada for commissioning this mosque and creating a structure which has stood the test of time and empires. I was indeed grateful for this piece of history which could remind us of a time and world that was. I smiled as I thought about the employment this structure must have generated, the art which has been preserved and the hub that it acts like for the existing community.

I sighed deeply as I felt my spirits rise and began walking towards the exit.

Learning to fly

2012-02-11T22:53:00.002+05:30

I spied him through a corner of my camera lens, a bundle of nervous enthusiasm. He was clutching at the crisp white kites being handed over to him. He was off in a flash, tightly gripping the kites and the spindle of cord. I ran after him and caught up to ask, “Can I fly kites with you?” There was a shy nod and a gesture to follow him.

We dashed through the warren of dark and narrow alleys of Ahmedabad's old walled city. We traipsed over mounds of fresh dung, deposited by the old city's most numerous denizens – cattle. Very soon I was deep in the belly of another world. He gestured me to follow him into a barely perceptible doorway, while informing someone of a visitor at the same time. I had to keep watch to avoid slamming my forehead into the low-slung door frame, while my little new-found friend was already slithering up makeshift wooden ladder-staircases that connected the different vertical levels of this tiny household. He yelled a “hello” to his mother and summed up my visit in a breath, all the while climbing. In a few seconds we were in fresh air, looking out over the roofs of old Ahmedabad, in time to fly kites to celebrate Uttarayan.

The roof was host to a gaggle of kids and was alive with preparations to launch the first kites, and my friend was completely absorbed. It took only a few more minutes for the first kites to lift away against the backdrop of Ahmedabad's heritage monuments, and on cue, rooftop DJs who had dragged massive audio gear to the roofs got the mood going. Predictably, bowing to popular demand, this was a 'Kolaveri'-themed event, and humming away my little friend got to grips with his kite. Amidst yells from his mother to be careful on the roof, he tried to get his kite aloft.

But alas, his efforts only managed to break the kite's spine. The smile was gone and the enthusiasm went flat as he watched his peers regale themselves in grand aerial battles fought with 'enemy' kites flown from other other rooftops. An uncle quickly rigged up another kite for him, while his cousin got it aloft, but it clearly wasn't enough. My friend dashed downstairs. While I was pondering the consequences of this crushing childhood disappointment, I was served warm tea and breakfast including the Uttarayan kichchdi by the mother who assured me the boy would be back soon. And on cue he was back, fresh from a bath, dressed in his Sunday best, and his mojo – his favorite hat.

The smile was radiant on his face as he ditched his white kites for a sleek back one. He was onto to something, he had figured out how to get a kite aloft. It was now time for me to fade away, as I watched him get his kite in the air humming: “ooh lala, ooh lala, tu hi meri fantasy!”

Traveling with 'Z'

2012-02-10T19:37:00.029+05:30

I travel alone. I like it. In fact love it. It’s my way to reconnect with myself while discovering those who are not ‘me’ in the land around me. I did think twice before saying yes to traveling in a group but figured one can always escape. Not only did I not need that escape chute, I thoroughly enjoyed and cherished the time spent with these newfound likeminded soles (catch the pun?). It’s sometimes not about where you go but how you go.

Meeting different people is one of the reasons we all love traveling. The people you travel with sometimes are just as interesting, just as authentic. The magical moonlight on the Rann and the sunrise next day could not have been in a better company. Even with the millions (well sometimes more than 10 seems like million to me) around me, my companions shielded the noise, the chaos, allowing me to have that little moment where one wants to be the only one to behold a sight that can leave a poet wordless. And then when you have had your fill of the silence, you turn around stretch your hands to hold the full moon, take some cheesy photographs, taste the salt beneath your feet and just huddle together trying to hold off the nip in the air. With 'Z' I discovered a land that seemed unreal for those moments.

Next day, ‘Z’ and I made our way to catch the sunrise. Our driver overslept, so we decided to walk at least a couple of miles to the Rann. The horizon, a mirage many a moments was still as a lake. The cold and distance played on my arthritic knees but ‘Z’ gently edged me on. I did not want to disappoint and kept up slowly giving us both space to enjoy the moments alone but together. Unlike the previous night, the land was enjoying its peace as well and so was I. We were the only ones around within miles.

As we made our way into the villages surrounding the Rann, my thoughts seemed to be echoed in ‘Z’. As we walked ahead of the group, we encountered kids running towards us. We were not comfortable with little children holding their hand out for a pen or some money. Uncomfortable, we made some quick purchases for things I am sure we really did not need but wanted. ‘Z’ and I were very proud of our acquisitions. As we lay them in the room the colors of the Kutch reflected in those patchwork bed covers. Today, they adorn my urban space, remind me when I least expect a glimpse of the simple beautiful people who live surrounded by the vast plains.

In the port city of Mandvi, we made our way into the ship building yards. ‘Z’ had been here before, writing and photographing the area. I had a heads up on what to expect and let the enthusiasm of a sailor returning to his favorite port take over my time. As I walked in the old town admiring the doors which gave me a glimpse of the people behind, I heard stories from ‘Z’ about the sailors who came

here, the land that absorbed the traveler, assimilated with the strangers making them their own. ‘Z’ has an infectious enthusiasm that rubs off on you, though a little loud at times but adorable nonetheless. As we meandered through the old fishing town, he found his passion. Now every cat in that town knows ‘Z’ and am sure the cats and their owners will remember us for the longest time to come.

I did have a chance to wander about on my own, leaving ‘Z’ wandering on to the boats making conversations with Zanzibarian’s who had made Mandvi home. I heard a familiar sound of my mother tongue and there was Ramesh perched on a ledge, taking a break from hammering some cotton between the wooden planks. He said I looked like somebody from Hyderabad. That was uncanny but true and the commonality of language led the conversation further. Away from home for the last decade he said he worked on these mighty boats. A boy from the interiors of Andhra farmland, he was happy working on boats that sailed the trade winds to Africa. I still wonder how he knew that I was from Hyderabad, had ‘Z’ mentioned it?

As we walked about in town buying some gifts for our host for the afternoon, ‘Z’ and I lost the others in the group. We knew our destination but not the path. But not to worry, seemed everybody in the town knew who we were and led us through the alleyways to our destination. While trying to navigate through town, randomly dropping into beautiful mansions one of which was a Jain dharamsala, which faintly had reminders of architecture from down south.

In the old market, I finally found someone who helped me buy this lovely vivid scarf that many of the Muslim men wore. I approached the colorful old man who insisted we stay in the background while he bargained for us. It turns out they the scarves come all the way from Karachi and one does not need imagination to know how it comes. ‘Z’ later learnt how to tie it around his head during a highway break. We seemed to have provided some much needed entertainment for the truckers.

Mandvi had more in store for us. ‘Z’ was originally from Mandvi. Family had moved to Mumbai in their grandfather’s time. Having tracked the current owners of the old ancestral home, ‘Z’ was invited and so were we by default to an afternoon meal. ‘Z’ perhaps was controlling her emotions as we all sat in the living room fringed by the original woodwork. Imagine discovering the house where your ancestors left traces, perhaps messages etched in the wood. We shared her connections and in that we will always be connected with her to the house. Her memories of discovery linked with us.

A Bohri ‘dastar khanna’ awaited us. Laid in the room next to the family kitchen, we all sat on the floor trying very hard to fold those unexercised knees and muscles. Famished after traveling through predominantly vegetarian land, we devoured the fresh fish and prawns. If the catch were any fresher it would have walked off our plates! The fish marinated in local spices, pan fried just fell off the bones. There was my ever-favorite Pomfret that kept me busy for a while. The prawns were cooked to perfection in rice, moist and succulent with the perfect burani to complete it.

‘Z’ was in heaven. You could see in the silence, a satiated smile that a teleportation had taken place. All it took was some fish in the meal to bring that joyous silent laughter and shine in the eyes. A thief caught in the orchard. As ‘Z’ enjoyed, oblivious to all of us like cat with a fish, we exchanged stories. The family of five brothers all lived together; from farmers to lawyers between them they had covered all occupations. There were children everywhere all around the same age. What joy to grow up with cousins, who are your first friends? As we made our way to see the house which in another 9 years will be considered a heritage house, the women of the house sat down to eat. We carried the babies, keeping them busy as the mothers ate in peace.

After a spent afternoon, we said our goodbyes to our newfound friends who will always be a part of the journey. In this new age, I know we will meet again, if not anything virtually exchange the changes in our lives. Through time perhaps our paths will cross again, their children grown and my shoes worn a bit more.

The land as intriguing as it was provided a backdrop to my experience. It was my interactions with ‘Z’ that made the trip. What I will remember from this trip are these human interactions that I hope I can maintain for years to come.

(Image taken by a studio photographer in Pavagargh)

Traveling with ‘Z’ is a story of who traveled with me. It’s a collective of a person, their traits and my adventures with them. ‘Z’ is not just one person but a part of all my four travel companions and what they shared with me. My memories intertwined with people who started off being semi strangers and ended as friends.

(photo credit: Anand Sankar)

Responsible tourism events at ITB Berlin 2012

2012-02-07T23:51:00.003+05:30

ITB Berlin has announced 2012 Responsible tourism networking and related events:

Responsible tourism clinics:

These are series of clinics where you interact with practitioners who run social businesses in tourism. Pose your questions on related topics and find solutions from experts.

07. Mar. 2012
14.00-15.00

Social Media for destination promotion: How to increase business through social media marketing?
- To be decided

08. Mar. 2012
11.00-12.00

Power of Story Telling : How to use stories to promote your business?
- Zainab Kakal - Chief Enthusiasm Officer at The Blue Yonder

08. Mar. 2012
14.00-15.00

3) Moving beyond conventional tourism - How to develop innovative experiences ?

- Monk for a month
- Ethical Travel Portal
- Cape Town tourism

Experiences shared by suppliers in India, Thailand, Nepal and South Africa

09. Mar. 2012
11.00-12.00

4) Power of networking: How collaboration can bring more business ?
- Raj Gyawali - The Green Circuit

**All the clinics will be at stand Hall 4.1/201(The Blue Yonder)

09. Mar. 2012 Friday
1730-1800
Venue: Stage of the Exhibition Area: Experience Adventure, ECOtourism & Expeditions in hall 4.1

Inspiring stories from destinations.

Listen to inspiring and innovative stories from destinations that are chosen from a collection of applications from around the world.

ITB-Berlin responsible tourism networking
Partnering : The Blue Yonder, The Green Circuit and Tripbod
Supported by: Pocket village
Media partner: Vision Travel Mole
1800-2030

1800: Welcome:
- Rika Jean-Francoise CSR commissioner ITB-Berlin

1810-2030 : RT pitches and networking
- listen to 2 minutes pitches from responsible tourism initiatives around the world and interact with those involved in sustainable tourism

Call for inspiring stories from destinations – ITB Berlin 2012

2012-02-07T22:30:00.008+05:30

'Monk for a month': last years winner at ITB-Berlin 'inspiring stories from destination'

Let the world know what you’ve been up to in your local destination.

Share your inspirational story about the destination you work in and have the opportunity to present at the 4th ITB Responsible Tourism Networking in Berlin. This is your chance to WOW industry associates and potential buyers with real life examples of how responsible tourism is powering positive change in your destinations. This is our attempt to unite dedicated initiatives around the world to propel the Responsible Tourism movement forward.

This year, the event is organized by The Green Circuit, The Blue Yonder and Tripbod with support from Pocket Village. Our media partner will be VISION travelmole. For the second year, ITB Responsible Tourism Networking is inviting inspirational stories direct from destinations. Story submissions are open to anyone with an amazing tale to tell where they used tourism as a tool to find solution to local issues. Successful selections will be based on innovation and the stories power to inspire responsible tourism in respective destinations.

Last year’s successful entries included, Monk for a Month an initiative started by Ben Bowler: He says "to be able to present our programmes at the ITB fringe event Inspiring Stories was a brilliant way to get exposure to just the right crowd for our unique products. From that evening we have formed several highly valuable relationships, it was certainly a significant step in the World Weavers story."

Three successful entries will be selected to present their ten-minute story of local inspiration to kick off this years Responsible Tourism Networking Event at ITB Berlin on the 9th of March 2012 at 17:30 at Hall 4.11. In addition to presenting your story at the world’s leading travel trade show, selected applicants will be featured on the PocketVillage website; an intuitive search engine to find and enjoy exceptional travel experiences.

Entries are requested to reach us in either of the following formats by 29th Feb 2012 by email to stories (at) thegreencircuit (dot) net:

In words; no more than 1,500 words

Video; no more than 5 minutes
Slideshow; no more 20 slides
Podcast; no more than 5 minutes

Successful applicants will be notified by email by the 3rd of March 2011. Please mention the following information at the beginning of your story: Your Name, Email, Organisation and Destination. For more information, please get in touch with info (at) thegreencircuit (dot) net.

The Responsible Tourism Networking event will continue from 1800 till 2030 at Hall 4.1. This year ITB Berlin will also feature RT Clinics during the three trade visitors days , where experts will share their experiences relevant to building sustainable tourism businesses. This is structured in a way were attendees can pose questions and find solutions from peers. More information on this here.

Thank you for touching our lives!

2012-01-01T10:33:00.001+05:30

New year in Kashmir with us

2011-12-27T23:47:00.007+05:30

We have been on far too many adventures in the past few years. We are currently working on building itineraries like no others have tried in South Africa. We have broken many conventions about tourism businesses in India. On our journey to transform tourism into a social enterprise business, we have explored opportunities of working in development sector, in community health care and in creating supplementary source of livelihood for various communities across the country.

We couldn’t think of anything better than putting together an itinerary in Kashmir for you this New Year in consultation with our long time friend and partner Anand Sankar, a seasoned journalist and photographer who have been on several adventurous trips with The Blue Yonder earlier. From Elephants ‘infested’ forests of Nilambur to monsoon rapids in Tootha River, we have enjoyed travelling together for meaningful experiences. This is one out of the five signature trips we are designing in partnership with Anand to different parts of India to get deep understanding about it’s people and places.

Rafiabad in Baramulla district of Kashmir had once taken its toll due to militancy in the region. After several decades of conflict and cross-border terrorism, local population is enjoying conflict free environment and is inviting us to travel to know them better and enjoy the winter in Kashmir. This trip has been put together as a result of over three years of consultation with locals.

Kashmir in winter has always been a breath-taking experience covered in a blanket of pristine snow as far as eye can see. The aim of this trip is to see the Kashmir, which has been hidden from view for more than half a century due to political turmoil.

Responsible tourism has world over shown how it can be a change maker when it comes to preserving culture, heritage and providing alternative and supplementary source of income for local population in destinations.

Here is your opportunity to see stunning ice-clad peaks, snow covered rolling highlands, endless forests of pine and gurgling mountain streams full of trout and meet up with the warm-hearted Kashmiris.

Trip date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 to Sun, 22 Jan 2012

Max guests in this trip :6

Last date to book the trip: 2, Jan 2012

Itinerary:

Saturday, January 14
Evening in Srinagar and Wazwan dinner .

Sunday, January 15

Breakfast and morning walk around Dal Lake. Last chance to buy essentials. Post-lunch depart for Gulmarg.
Spend afternoon exploring Gulmarg on foot.

Monday, January 16

Early breakfast. Till lunch, skiing. Post lunch depart for Rafiabad, Baramulla Dist. Reach Ladu Ladoora village and settle down into a traditional Kashmiri rural dwelling. Evening tea and gupshup with locals

Tuesday, January 17

Early morning departure with packed breakfast for Trek Route 1. Lunch at farmer's house enroute. Back at Ladu Ladoora by sunset

Wednesday, January 18

Early morning departure with packed breakfast for Trek Route 2. Lunch at farmer's house enroute. Back at Ladu Ladoora by sunset

Thursday, January 19

Post-breakfast drive to Srinagar. Freshen up at guest house, lunch and leave for Gagan Gir. Evening at Gagan Gir.

Friday, January 20

Very early departure with packed breakfast for pony ride on Amarnath Trail. Back for late lunch to Gagan Gir. Depart for Srinagar. Check in to houseboat on Nagin Lake.

Saturday, January 21

Free day to chill out in Srinagar. (Optional, day trip to Pahalgam).

For more details on itineraries and content, please contact us on info (at) theblueyonder (dot ) com

Photo credits Anand Sankar

More on our journey to South Africa

2011-11-25T10:36:00.007+05:30

pic taken by Jeremy Smith at Bulungula

"There are companies which bulldoze their way into beautiful destinations and there are some, like The Blue Yonder, which not only tread gently, but also with dignity, respect and honesty. I can't imagine voyaging into South Africa without the hands of this sensitive, sustainable company to lead me along the right path, safe in the knowledge that my visit is truly welcomed by local people and communities. And that these are holidays designed on the hosts' terms, and with ethics at the heart of everything they do".

Catherine Mack, - travel writer specialising in responsible tourism,
Ethical Traveller
Follow Catherine Mack on twitter

Facebook: Ethical Traveller

pic taken by Jeremy Smith at Bulungula

IIPT (International Institute for Peace through Tourism) is most pleased to endorse the entry of The Blue Yonder holidays into South Africa – and hopefully soon to the other countries of Southern Africa – underpinned by its responsible tourism practices and its philosophy of doing well by doing good. Persons traveling with The Blue Yonder will truly have an opportunity to be “Ambassadors for Peace.”

IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore

Cape Town and Responsible Tourism

2011-11-15T18:07:00.006+05:30

On the eve of WTM World Responsible Tourism Day (9th nov 2011) we were honoured to hear from the dynamic leader of Cape Town Tourism - Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold.

“Industry reports from World Travel Market confirms that the global recession continues to have a significant impact on long-haul travel. Within this context people are increasingly seeking original and local experiences."

"Responsible and community tourism has gained momentum from a niche tourism sector to a philosophy that is one of the industry’s most exciting developments ever; uniting citizens from across the world into one interconnected, united movement, communicating a significant signal to businesses that the tourism industry mean to act, not just talk. "

"Cape Town is acknowledged internationally as has become one of the leading cities in the world when it comes to responsible tourism. Even though there has considerable progress been made in addressing the environmental impact of tourism in our destination, we cannot rest on our laurels. In order to achieve sustainability; the tourism industry must continue to place significant focus on harnessing tourism for local economic development, for the benefit of all communities and in managing the social impact of tourism."

"Cape Town Tourism is continuously looking for better ways to instil the responsible tourism philosophy and expand on existing sustainable tourism mechanisms in our region and is looking forward to working with The Blue Yonder – one of the world’s pioneers in Responsible Tourism.”

South Africa : first international destination from The Blue Yonder

2011-11-13T23:40:00.012+05:30

The Blue Yonder, launched an exciting range of journeys to South Africa at the World Travel Market in London on 9th November 2011.

With a strong focus on storytelling and promoting sustainable development in the Rainbow Nation, the tours will give travellers ample opportunities to get beneath the surface and understand many dimensions of life in 21st century South Africa. Each journey has been carefully created to offer guests a fun and fascinating insight into local culture, wildlife and customs, while providing the maximum possible benefit to the destination communities.

The Blue Yonder South Africa will launch with an initial portfolio of ten itineraries, focusing on four areas: Cape Town and the Western Cape; Durban and KwaZulu Natal; Johannesburg and Soweto; and Kruger National Park.

Tours include among others a 14-day Fair Trade Whales and Wildlife Safari, and a six-day immersive experience in Cape Town, built around some of the city's most dynamic and transformative social development projects. Each tour partners with Fair Trade-accredited accommodation and operators wherever possible.

The Blue Yonder's founder Gopinath Parayil explains the decision to base the company's first international venture in the Rainbow Nation. "It was in South Africa that we first heard the words that became our mission statement: 'creating better places for people to live in and for people to visit'. That phrase came from the Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism, and it distils the essence of what we try to achieve through our holidays."

Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of WTM London, says "I am glad to see The Blue Yonder going international and offering holidays to South Africa during the WTM World Responsible Tourism day at the World Travel Market. We have known The Blue Yonder for past six years as a travel company that has evolved into a social enterprise in India. The leadership they have shown in the travel industry is truly inspiring. The WTM World Responsible Tourism Day is the celebration of such inspiring stories and we wish them all the best in creating better places for people to live in and for people to visit."

“The Blue Yonder's intoxicating mix of authentic cultural experiences and responsibility arrives in South Africa from Kerala with 6 years of know how and experience and is a must for South African visitors.” Justin Francis, Founder – responsibletravel.com

Mariette Du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Tourism said, “Cape Town Tourism is continuously looking for better ways to instil the responsible tourism philosophy and expand on existing sustainable tourism mechanisms in our region and is looking forward to working with The Blue Yonder – one of the world’s pioneers in Responsible Tourism.”

We are so pleased that The Blue Yonder has started to promote travel to South Africa. Not only is this a good example of like minded organizations who believe in the power of tourisms contribution to sustainable development collaborating globally, but also creates new opportunities for us in accessing travelers from India and elsewhere through their network. A fine example of South-South collaboration.” Paul Miedema, Founder Calbash Tours and Calabash trust.

Background:

The Blue Yonder was founded in 2005 as a social enterprise dedicated to preserving natural and cultural heritage along the River Nila in the South Indian state of Kerala. The company now operates tours in several regions of India, including Kerala, Rajasthan and the Himalayas, and has been at the forefront of promoting responsible tourism as the best path forward for the travel business worldwide.

The Blue Yonder's Indian journeys have featured as one of the "Top Ten Green Breaks" in British Airways' High Life magazine, and in Condé-Nast Traveler as one of "Eight Great Trips that Give Back". The Blue Yonder also features in Rough Guides' Clean Breaks: 500 New Ways to See the World, and its River Nila packages are rated among the six best responsible holidays in India by Footprint India Handbook.

For more information, visit South Africa website or contact Gopinath Parayil for press enquiries.

ITB-Asia 2011 Responsible Tourism events

2011-10-03T08:34:00.005+05:30

ITB Asia Responsible Tourism Event and Networking powered by ITB Asia

Venue: Level 6, 601/F27
Date: 21 October, 2011
Time: 1100 – 1300 hrs

Organized in co-operation with The Blue Yonder and Wild Asia.

The Responsible Tourism event will feature experts and practitioners in responsible tourism who will share their insights and know how for implementing sustainable best practices within your organization.

· How to engage and motivate staff to support your sustainability strategy

o Arnfinn Oines – Responsible Conscience, Six Senses Resorts and Spas

· Making the shift towards responsible tourism

o Zhang Mei, Founder Wild China

· Voluntourism: Are we helping or harming local communities?

o Gopinath Parayil – Concern Without Borders

The event will also feature three Inspiring Responsible Tourism stories in the region and networking sessions. Last date for applying is 5th OCT 2011. More details here

RT Clinics at the ITB Asia Responsible Tourism Center 2011

Organized in co-operation with The Blue Yonder and Wild Asia

Venue: Level 6, 602/T15

The Responsible Tourism Centre at ITB Asia is introducing a new engagement activity for trade show participants to speak with experts in sustainable tourism. The clinics combine RT experts from various fields including sustainable architecture, digital marketing and tourism management. Make an appointment for a discussion with them at the Responsible Tourism Centre booth.

E-mail contact: rt@wildasia.org or itbasia@messe-berlin.com

Clinic 1: How to choose sustainable tourism partners in Asia
Expert: Dr. Tran Trong Kien, Founder and CEO, Buffalo Tours
Date: 19 October, 2011 (Wednesday)
Time: 1400 - 1500 hrs

Clinic 2: Social media in tourism marketing
Expert: Eric Lewanavanua, Business Tourism Manager, South African Tourism
Date: 20 October, 2011 (Thursday)
Time: 1000 - 1100 hrs

Clinic 3: Sustainable architecture
Expert: Ian Hall, founder of Arkitrek
Date: 20 October, 2011 (Thursday)
Time: 1400 - 1500 hrs

Un(t)ravel: A unique get together in Bangalore on Responsible Tourism

2011-10-03T07:49:00.005+05:30

It was a balmy Saturday morning in Bangalore, the earth fresh and brown from the rains of last night. Jaaga (meaning space), with its shape shifting grid structures that could be put together in a myriad of interesting patterns and ways seemed like an appropriate venue to talk about ‘untravelling.’ ‘Come discover travel that is out-of-the-box, exciting and responsible’, our invite had boldly claimed. Would the traveler bite?

Untravel was a day long experimental, perhaps a first of its kind public event where we hoped to bring together travelers, travel entrepreneurs, students and responsible travel companies, to talk about making a difference while having a great trip.

The Blue Yonder opened the day by leading a hall filled with curious people through stories of how travellers could contribute to positive change in the places they visit. TBY spoke about recreating the sound of music along the banks of the Nila, engendering sustainable livelihoods through local homestays, building a local school for traditional music, and nurturing the world’s largest palliative care unit in Kerala run mostly by volunteering. The audience was enthralled right through - glued to their seats and eyes widening regularly through the talk with all the possibilities being laid out in front of them.

Informal stands like these gave opportunities for travellers to interact with innovative companies.

An open discussion came up next on all that makes up responsible travel. Jose Ramapuram of Orange County talked about a policy on responsible travel being an essential guide to their functioning. They believe strongly in stewardship and the idea that business should be for the ultimate good of all, but going the responsible way actually drove their costs down and made perfect business sense, he said. Pradeep from the ANT, an NGO working with weavers and craftsmen in the North East, spoke about craft creating an interest in their customers to explore places and people beyond the regular tourist circuit and sustain livelihoods for the locals in turn.

Mainstream travellers respond to stories that they can connect with, visceral experiences that go beyond the regular, said Prateek of mygola, a travel planning company. People are increasingly looking for the offbeat stuff, ways to immerse themselves in the places they visit, and therein lies the case for attracting them towards travel that is kind, he said. Sridhar Pabisetty of Tour of Nilgiris spoke about reaching out to the community in the places they visit - riders in their annual endurance cycling event help forest dwellers in Nilgiris, firm that they are the only ones who could preserve the bio-diversity of the region. Kalyan Akkipedi who was hitchhiking across the country to understand the poor in India said a traveler must first go outside his comfort zone. Resilience, he said, brought in the greatest change.

Post all the chicken soup for the travelling soul, the audience thronged the stalls to interact with travel providers, swap stories, and learn more. Workshops on committing a travel memory to drawing, being a healthy traveler, photographing on the move, and bicycling to work, were a source of much fun and excitement.

So, where can I go tomorrow? We wound up with a baithak inviting budding offbeat travel entrepreneurs to discuss their stories. People spoke passionately about a whole load of things – from going on trips to rescue wildlife to organic farming and backyard history tours.

Would we be able to attract a happy-to-travel yet spoilt-for-choice crowd to come see the world through a new lens? A world hidden away from swanky resorts and to-the-minute tours, and thriving on first principles – lending a hand to your host community, respecting the place you visit, leaving no footprints or simply racing the wind on pedal. For all of us at The Alternative, the day revealed to us that a lot of people out there were indeed interested and happy to be involved, it is just that we were probably trying to discover each other through some means.

Most people came by and talked about how it was refreshing not just to listen to a new perspective, but meet so many like-minded folks working on responsible travel. Some were thrilled about having so much choice in planning their next trip and contributing to social good, while others were enthused about coming back for more such sessions to connect.

The responsible travel story seems to be finding greater resonance with mainstream travellers. People are waking up to the fact that they need to help and now and in some sense they owe it to the people and places they leave behind. To everyone we meet these days, we say “Hop on board the Untravel bus. May we find inspiration.”

Aarti Mohan - Editor of The Alternative

Join the Untravel Facebook group to be a part of all the conversations, events and happenings around responsible tourism. Help us increase this tribe of untravellers!

Stories, tips, photos and more from travelers here:

Indian youth gets an opportunity to be the change

2011-10-02T17:04:00.004+05:30

Creating better places for people to live:
For nearly a hundred years, the picture one had of India was that of a predominantly rural country with a dominant agrarian economy. For the first time in as many years, that picture seems to be rapidly undergoing a change, for India’s urban population has added 91 million people more than the 2001 census- than the rural population. And Indian cities are feeling the heat- literally and figuratively. They are increasingly facing water shortages, open defacation is the highest in the world, putting the entire sanitation mechanism under severe threat, slums are on the rise, and cities that have high instances of water and air pollution, and increasingly facing more instances of road rage, conflicts and tensions than ever before.

India’s rapid urbanisation has not just resulted in significant challenges, it throws up a set of valuable opportunities as well– there are few certain answers before any of us. This unprecedented urban growth could help us alleviate poverty and move towards a more sustainable and equitable future, that is not just dependent on agriculture. However, it could also overwhelm our cities and exacerbate inequality. Can we address this before its too late?

There is one such organization that has decided to be the change agent- The Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), a proposed University dealing specifically with issues related to urbanization and trying to find solutions that are holistic and interdisciplinary. The aim is to generate professionals who will be able to reshape and redesign India’s urban imprint with their creative, sustainable, interdisciplinary approach to local issues. One of its initiatives is San-kranti - a youth platform that invites India’s young to join a unique community of change-makers.

The aim of this challenge is to identify an issue that impacts urban India, explain the significance of that issue in the larger context of the city or town and identify the most sustainable and holistic solution for it. The amazing thing is that in over 2 months of launch of this initiative, over a 100 teams have registered for participating in this initiative. Some eminent people, experts in their own right in different disciplines have engaged as mentors for these teams. The 20 best teams will go on to participate in the India Urban Conference in Mysore, a joint initiative by IIHS, Janaagraha and the School of South Asian studies at Yale University.

The India Urban Conference (IUC) is a series of events designed to raise the salience of urban challenges and opportunities in the ongoing debate on India's development. It creates a wide multi-stakeholder and cross-regional platform that situates India's urban transformation in the context of current governance, economic, socio-political, ecological and cultural trajectories and consequent choices of development pathways. The IUC seeks to create an open-frame 'space' for a multi-level dialogue on applied research to inform policy, practice and civil society action.

It is no wonder that I am filled with new hope that this collective thinking and action will transform urban India in the coming years!

Meena Vaidyanathan

(The author is a partner at niiti consulting a mentor for participating students on the san-kranti platform)

Follow San-kranti on facebook and twitter

Call for inspiring stories from destinations - ITB Asia Singapore

2011-08-01T10:12:00.003+05:30

Inspire others with what you have done for the destination where you work in. Is the local community, environment and wildlife better off because of what you've done? If yes, tell us! We're keen to find out.

This is your chance to WOW industry players, potential buyers and the media by showing them that responsible tourism is possible and powerful in making a difference if done right.

Send us your story and you may have the chance to present at the 'Responsible Tourism Event' supported by ITB Asia this coming October in Singapore. Three successful entries will have the privilege to present their stories in a five minute presentation as the curtain opener at the Responsible Tourism Event.

The selection of successful stories is based on the authenticity of the story, creative and innovative elements and the power to inspire other toward making responsible tourism a reality.This initiative is in continuation of the 'Inspiring Stories from destination competition' organised at ITB Berlin in March 2011. Winners at Berlin were Andaman Discoveries, Blood Foundation, Nutti Sami Siida, Nepal Far West, and Atlast Kasbah Ecolodge.

On top of that, selected 10 entries will also be featured on Wild Asia's website as part of the 'Rethink Travel' series where travelers explore the wonder of destinations and how they can enjoy a different kind of travel; one that's earth & people friendly.

Submit your stories in any of the following form:

In words; no more than 1,500 words
Video; no more than 5 minutes
Slideshow; no more 20 slides
Podcast; no more than 5 minutes

Email your entries to rt@wildasia.org by 5th of October, 2011. Please title your email "RT Stories for RT Event at ITB Asia 2011" and include your Name, Email, Organization and Destination in your email. Successful applicants will be notified via email by 7th October, 2011.

We can't wait to hear your story!

For more details about the Responsible Tourism Event supported by ITB Asia in October 2011, click here.

The Responsible Tourism Event is a continuation of the successful RT networking events that started in 2009. Organized and supported by ITB Asia, Wild Asia, The Blue Yonder and The Green Circuit, this annual event hopes to bring together sustainable tourism practitioners to share, engage, learn and be inspired to make a difference.

Zambian President to be patron of IIPT African Conference

2011-04-23T14:35:00.003+05:30

Zambia President Rupiah B. Banda to be Patron of 5^th IIPT African Confernce: Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change

Stowe, Vermont, USA – 23 April 2011 – The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) announced today that Zambia President, Rupiah B. Banda has agreed to be Patron of the 5th IIPT African Conference: Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change to Tourism in Africa and the Developing World” to be held in Lusaka, Zambia, May 15 – 20, 2005.

In making the announcement, IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore said, “We are most proud and honored to have President Banda as Patron of the 5^th IIPT African Conference. His patronage adds immense stature and prestige to the conference and demonstrates the importance that Zambia has placed on this timely event.”

The aim of the 5th IIPT African Conference is to showcase models of ‘best practice’ in mitigating and addressing the anticipated impacts of climate change to tourism in Africa and the developing world.

The Conference is hosted by the Zambia Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, and organized by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) in partnership with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), World Travel Market, Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA), as well as other prestigious partners and supporters.

The conference will bring together leading experts on tourism and climate change, ministers of tourism, senior representatives of UN agencies, senior government officials, senior industry executives from the diverse sectors of the tourism industry, educators, and practitioners from more than 40 countries.

Topics to be covered include: Climate Change: Policy and Planning to Practice;

The Central Role of Parks and Wilderness Areas; Perspectives on Sustainable Destinations; The Human and Cultural Dimensions of Climate Change;

Establishing Guidelines and Business Strategies for Sustainable Tourism;

Coastal Tourism Strategies and Water Management – and other critical topic areas.

The conference will also include the first ever “Traditional Leaders Forum on Tourism” to be held in Africa with Ben Sherman, President, Native Tourism Alliance, North America, as a special guest.

About International Institute for Peace through Tourism IIPT is dedicated to fostering and facilitating tourism initiatives which contribute to international understanding and cooperation, an improved quality of environment, the preservation of heritage, poverty reduction, and the resolution of conflict - and through these initiatives, help bring about a more peaceful and sustainable world. IIPT is dedicated to mobilizing travel and tourism, the world’s largest industry, as the world’s first “Global Peace Industry,” an industry that promotes and supports the belief that “Every traveler is potentially an Ambassador for Peace.”

International Institute for Peace through Tourism

685 Cottage Club Road, Unit 13, Stowe, VT 05672

Phone: +1 802 253 8671

Fax: +1 802 253 2645

E-mail:

URL

Viswanathan Gurukkal - Vallabhatta Kalari

2011-04-18T11:10:00.008+05:30

display of strength at Vallabhatta Kalari Sangham

"And, it is this that strikes me again and again. A compulsion to conserve and preserve, be it heritage homes, elephants, or art forms. The Vallabhatta Kalari Academy is just a few kilometres away from the Riverside resort. A classic example of a kuzhi kalari -a sunken arena - kalari payattu, the ancient martial art is taught here by the last descendant of the Muduvangatt family whose head was the commander-in-chief of the royal army of the Vettath Raja. Tracing a lineage of ten centuries, the kalari has managed to keep its traditional grandeur despite the lure of commerce.
As I walked into the kalari, the earth cellar like area with its thatched roof, mud floor and array of weapons laid out on the sides, I felt I had stepped back in time. Then my eyes trailed to the kanni-moola [ the southwest corner]. Here the kalari deity sits adorned with flowers and lit with oil lamps. A silent spectator, constantly assessing, perennially judging all that happens before her eyes, Bhadrakali, the deity radiates a presence that tolerates no deviation from tradition. And, it is this I see as the kalari comes alive. The short stick and long stick fights, the dagger, spear and sword fights, in the hand combat and finally where a blindfolded student located a dagger hidden in the arena floor and then used the dagger to slice a cucumber placed on another student's body... it's only when the cucumber fell apart, I realized that I had been holding my breath....perhaps so did the deity, I thought. No matter how often you saw this, one couldn't discount the possibility of human error…"

Some of the senior students including Unni during the training at Kaladi

This was a note written by Anita Nair in the India Today Travel Plus about her visit with us to Vallabhatta Kalari along river Nila. The last descendant of The Muduvangatt family, Viswanathan Gurukkal passed away yesterday after ailing for a last four years in Calicut. One of the first projects along Nila to be supported by The Blue Yonder since it's inception, we have vivid memories of this place and the man himself. Irrespective of caste, creed and gender, he trained more than 1500 students in traditional Kerala martial arts in Northern style. He was such a proponent that he developed his own style of training that came to known as "Vallabhatta" style focusing on norther kalari traditions. Old texts found in family attic reads the authority family had recognitions and titles given by "Vettathu Raja", the local King which says "Muduvangaatt should be in charge of eight countries ( 'desams') and protect the land from the enemies".

Gurkkal watchng a performance at his Kalari which was part of a documentary work we were involved in

They were protectors of Ponnani harbor. His family was the chief architect of war strategies during the "Mamaankam" which used to be held once in twelve years on the banks of River Nila in Tirunavaaya. When Kerala state government decided to include "Kalari payattu" as one of the subjects in school, Viswanathan Gurukkal took an active role in deciding on the topic and training those involved in preparing the syllabus. For the past eight years, he was also leading the Kerala state kalaripayattu Association. When it was decided to re-enact the moments of 1684 Mamankam (where Zamorin came so close to death by one of the youngest of warriors), it was Vallabhatta Kalari that choreographed the illustrious action in a festival in 1999 in Tirunavaya.

We bow with respect and love to the man who dedicated his whole life to sustain, preserve and propagate the martial arts tradition of Kerala. Another of Nila who will live through our memories.

Gurukkal promoted the training of girls in martial arts starting with many in his family

Kim, the Lama & the secret valley - Inviting travellers to join us in Spiti Valley

2011-04-16T03:01:00.006+05:30

Cultural journey and discovery of Spiti Valley

From 4^th to 18^th June 2011

Spiti valley, Rudyard Kipling wrote, is ‘a world within a world, a place where the gods live’. Closed to strangers until 1992, this Himalayan kingdom back in time was the destination for Buddhist pilgrims, caravans and adventurers as well as it was the setting of Kim, the great espionage novel linking to Central Asia. The journey traces the footsteps of Kipling’s novel, travelling back in time to the year 986 when the Buddhist and Tibetan culture marked the vast and dry plains of the Eastern Himalayas with their presence.

You are invited to a spectacular and breath-taking crossing through one of the most remote and culturally well-preserved regions. The journey takes place in all-terrain vehicles and includes the visits to museums, monasteries, forts and interaction with local artists and artisans in the company of the venerable Tenzin Kunga, a native from Kinnaur, and the Swiss archeologist Lobsang Nyima, both monks of the Tashi Lhunpo monastery.

The night bus takes the travellers from Delhi to Shimla (2206m), the ancient summer residence of the British India. Leaving the cedar forests and the Himalayan foothills we reach the Narkanda Pass (2708m) to join the bustling meanders of the Sutlej coming from the high Tibetan plateaux. Then a long motorised ascension of several days starts on the Hindustan-Tibet Road, pompously renamed National Highway n°22. At Sarahan (1920m), ancient trading post of the state Bashahr and gateway to Kinnaur, we enjoy a break in the middle of orchards to visit the monumental temple Bhimakali, a sacred Hindu place where the human sacrifices were perpetuated until the 19^th century. At Thangi (2966m), the inhabitants of the village of the venerable Tenzin Kunga, whose gentleness equals their hospitality, will make you discover one of the most beautiful regions of Himachal Pradesh with its terraced fields where apples and apricots are cultivated and where Hinduism mixes with Buddhism.

The ascend continues in direction of Nako (3625m) and the Tibetan border, under the close surveillance of the marmots, reveiling the first temples and monasteries dedicated to the great translator of the 11^th century Rinchen Zangpo. Here we enter the genuine Buddhist art museum dating back to the medieval ages.

The voyage continues through the desolate and rocky landscapes, brown and ochre spots. The narrowness of the paths at the edge of dizzy chasms imposes manoevres that make you quiver with fear. Then finally the valley of Spiti unfolds, lunar depression scattered by stupa (funerary monuments), mani stones, prayer flags swaying in the wind. Guardian of an unequalled and original Buddhist culture, the valley uncovers finally its numerous monasteries and temples with frescos of rare delicacy and crowded with Buddhas and o following the example of the magisterial Tabo (3050m) classified the World Cultural Heritage by the Unesco.

Lobsang Nyima will also make you discover the monastic citadel of Dankhar (3850m), the place of his latest research. Then in the setting of this geological immensities and fantasitic shapes, where the ancestral traditions are perpetuated, still remain the modest hamlets with houses of brick and limed mud, such as the aerial village Kibber (4200m).

Finally, leaving the small administrative town of Kaza (3600m), the crossing of the high plateaux of Spiti and the passage from Kunzum (4551m) presents the ultimate stage of this adventure, surely the most challenging but also the most spectacular. The journey ends in Manali (1950m), the cosmopolitan mountain station that makes us already miss the silence of the stars at your finger tips in the high Spiti valley.
For enquiries please contact us on +91.80.4115.2218 or email.

Local food and accommodation

2011-04-11T12:51:00.006+05:30

Travellers prefer local properties with character than branded international hotel chains. Purity by the backwaters in Kerala

‘What kind of travelers do you have? ‘We were asked this question at the ITB Berlin congress panel on linkages between consumers and industry fousing on social responsibility. And today we received an email from a journalist asking if local accommodation and food makes a difference to the travelling experience. Some of the thoughts we shared are here:

Most of the travellers choose a company like ours precisely for the reason that they are 'cultural creatives'. These are people who consume responsibly, who wants to ensure that they money they give ( to a hotelier or a tour operator) should make a difference to the destination they are travelling to. Our holidays are designed in a way that the itineraries touch many social initiatives and innovation that are happening in the country right now. These are not visits to NGOs, but designed in a way that these causes become the interactive travel experiences for travellers. When the demands from travellers are towards 'local, slow, sustainable' travel, it's easy to communicate. For those who are not aware of such travel trends, we of course spend time with them, sharing guest feedback and even details on "how their travel make a difference to local communities and environment''.

CSR Panel on socially conscious travellers at the ITB Berlin 2011 convention.

Such quantifiable claims give an opportunity for travellers to 'check' it out and report back. This resulted several times in travellers playing the role of a 'curator' than just a 'consumer'. For such travellers, it's important that they eat local food, consume as much local produces as possible. Choosing locally owned hotels, resorts and home-stays are important to them compared to staying in a massive, (universally boring ) international hotel chains.

Even yesterday one of the leading German tour operator requested, “Hotels should be good hotels for sustainable tourism, that is hotels with character, but please, no international chains.”

We don't provide all-inclusive trips, except for the breakfast that's offered in the property, we give insights to travellers about good local restaurants and shops. This also helps travellers 'spread' their money in destinations in a more judicious way. In any case what's point in travelling to a place like Kerala or Rajasthan to try out badly made pasta?

Luxury home stay in Rajasthan. Revenue streamlined to support kids with HIV / Aids

It's very important for us to choose the 'right kind of accommodation'. This certainly enhances the quality of our trips. In the initial years, we had issues of not being able to provide such accommodation. After a fantastic day trip interacting with locals, being part of initiatives that give 'sense of pride', 'alternative and supplementary sources of income' and help 'preserve culture and heritage' and sometimes even help reduce migration to urban settlements, our clients used to end up staying in characterless properties. This has changed quite a lot in the last few years. Properties like CGH Eeath , Our Native Village and Maranat Mana are some of the examples of how travelling experiences can be enhanced. They do this by promoting sustainable practices. 'Spice Village' in Periyar in Kerala is probably the first property in the country to go totally off-the grid. Knowing that their stay is not creating any extra pressure on local energy consumption, travellers are quite excited as well. By end of the day, its all about conveying these stories in the right spirit and not scaring away travellers by talking too much about their social responsibility!

Another English tour operator says about her scouting with us at CGH Earth, “These hotels are truly gorgeous with loads of character in their own unique way - each a destination in itself - exactly the type of venues many of our clients enjoy. We wish we could have stayed longer to experience more each hotel could offer, hopefully the next time! We had tours of each hotel which demonstrated the eco-awareness and connections to nature that are actually being adopted by the hotels. This is refreshing and a definite inspiration. “

As part of our attempt to provide a total Blue Yonder experiences, we are proposing less usage of houseboats in Kerala, which are largely responsible for polluting the backwaters and ecosystem because of unsustainable practices. These fresh water lakes are direct source of water for all the communities living along the backwaters.

There is a lot to achieve to be sustainable, but we are confident on having taken small steps in the right direction. With customers playing the role as curators, it’s no longer that difficult to reach there.

Muslim for a month

2011-04-09T20:31:00.003+05:30

Ben talking about 'Muslim for a month' initiative at The Blue Yonder stand at ITB-Berlin:

'Muslim for a Month' is a Blood Foundation cultural exchange program run in partnership with Islamic scholars and peace activists in Istanbul Turkey. Blood Foundation is a social enterprise and NGO dedicated to promoting positive intercultural experiences.

Foundation also organises the successful Monk for a Month temple stay program in northern Thailand’s Fang Valley, offering guests an immersion experience into Buddhism and Thai culture as well as a unique opportunity for personal spiritual progression.

In a similar vein the Muslim for a Month program offers an inner experience of the Islamic faith with the focus being on the Sufi path and the universal spiritual teachings of Mevlana Rumi.

Foundation is launching Muslim for a Month by offering two versions of the program; the 9 day short course and the more comprehensive 21 day program. The short course consists of a broad introduction to Islam, Sufism, Rumi, and Turkish culture while the longer version offers a deeper exploration of Sufi mysticism and a more thorough immersion into the life and works of Rumi.

See comments of a traveller who experienced 'Muslim for a month' : "As a Catholic, this program has been seriously insightful with an outcome of total surprise and great benefits to understanding the Muslim people and their religious practices. It has sharpened my own inadequate beliefs of how to serve God in this world. Bookings are now open for next 9 days travel beginning 15^th of May 2011.

Contact us for bookings if you want to experience this unique journey:

5th IIPT African Conference: Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change

2011-04-07T11:32:00.006+05:30

Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Zambia, Hon. Catherine Namugala has officially launched the 5th IIPT African Conference: Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change to Tourism in Africa and the Developing World to be held in Lusaka, Zambia 15 – 20 May, 2011.

In launching the Conference, Minister Namugala said, “The Zambia Government is proud to be hosting the conference as the theme is very appropriate to Africa, and Zambia in particular, because the effects of climate change are exerting a heavy toll on the entire life chain.”

“It is worth noting that climate change is a major threat to sustainable growth and development in Africa, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Impacts of climate change include among others, increased incidence of both drought and flooding, desertification, sea level rise, reduced freshwater availability, decreasing fish resources, cyclones, impacts on food security, all of which have an impact on tourism,” Minister Namugala said.

“Climate change is the pre-eminent geopolitical and economic issue of the 21st century. It rewrites the global equation for development, peace, and prosperity.” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 2009 Summit on Climate

The Conference is being organized by International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) in partnership with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA) and The Blue Yonder.

Other partners include Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management (LIUTEBM); Zambia Ethno Tourism and Cultural Tourism Alliance (ZECUTA); and The Children’s and Youth Welfare Foundation of Zambia.

To register, please click here.

Topics to be Addressed
• Sustainable Strategies and Practices from Diverse Regions
• Perspectives on Sustainable Destinations
• The Human Dimension of Climate Change
• Preserving Bio-diversity for Future Generations
• Returns on Investment from Conservation Practices
• Strategies for Marketing and Tourism Investment
• Climate Change: Policy and Planning to Practice
• The Central Role of Parks and Wilderness Areas
• Traditional Approaches to Preserving Bio-diversity
• Multimedia Approaches to Promote Public Awareness
• Coastal Tourism Strategies and Water Management
• Mitigating the Driving Factors of Climate Change
• Forums for Responsible Travel and Tourism
• Setting Standards and Business Models for Sustainable Tourism

Participants
The 5th IIPT African Conference will bring together leading experts in tourism and climate change, Ministers of Tourism and the Environment, senior government officials, and executives from the diverse sectors of the industry; UN agencies, donor agencies, and NGOs; researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners; representatives of related sectors, including environment, culture, and sustainable economic development; and leading academics to share their knowledge and experience and research related to climate change response strategies, programs and actions in Africa and developing countries throughout the world.

Timeliness and Importance of Conference
The year 2010 ranked as the warmest on record, together with 1998 and 2005. The 10 warmest years on record have all occurred since 1998. Arctic sea-ice cover in December 2010 was the lowest on record. Last year also witnessed a large number of extreme weather events, including an extreme heat wave in Russia and devastating floods in Pakistan. This year has begun with extreme flooding in Sri Lanka, flash flooding near the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, and severe flooding in eastern Australia, expected to be the most costly natural disaster in Australia’s history.

Although African and other developing nations are least responsible for climate change, they are particularly vulnerable to the effects, including reduced agricultural production, threats to food security, increased incidence of both drought and flooding, sea level rise, coastal erosion, coral bleaching, deforestation, loss of wildlife, reduced fresh water availability, spread of malaria and other disease, and an increased risk of conflict over scarce land and water resources.

Background

In 2007, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), jointly with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), with the support of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Swiss Government, convened the Second International Conference on Climate Change and Tourism, in Davos, Switzerland, with the aim of responding to climate change imperatives in the tourism sector. The conference set out a range of specific policies and actions to be taken by all stakeholders in the tourism sector to immediately begin to establish and implement a long-range, carbon-neutral roadmap.

The 5th IIPT African Conference will seek to identify actual ‘on-the-ground’ progress since the 2007 Conference with case studies of ‘best practice’ from each of the developing regions of the world and from governments, destinations, industry sectors, NGOs, researchers and academics, and the media.

Official Airline and Hotel

South African Airways is the official carrier for the conference andthe Hotel InterContinental Lusaka is the official hotel and conference venue.

For more information and to register, please click here.

Andaman Discoveries

2011-03-13T12:23:00.004+05:30

This video was featured at the ITB Berlin responsible tourism networking day 11 March 2011.

Andaman Discoveries, a leader in sustainable travel in Thailand, allows visitors and volunteers to directly support community education, village-led conservation, and cultural empowerment.

Are you interested in seeing a different type of Thailand? Ready to take a detour from the tourist circuit? Andaman Discoveries allows visitors to experience the traditional culture and ecology of rural coastal Thailand. Just a few hours north of Phuket, you can experience a true cultural exchange. We offer several village tours, including cultural tours, family tours, and hands-on tours. Each of their village tours contains a diverse mix of cultural exchange, ecological, and handicraft-making activities. Their tours are designed for everybody, regardless of age or ability, including mature and single travelers.

In addition to village tours and homestays, they can also arrange long-term volunteering placements and study tours, and can book tours to Koh Surin National Park and regional cultural and ecotourism programs.

Andaman Discoveries began as a relief NGO in the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami. Following the initial crisis response, the organization transitioned into community and livelihood development, training villagers in English, computer, and leadership skills. Andaman Discoveries continues to support these villages through responsible travel and handicraft sales.

Inspiring stories: Potters of Aruvakode in Nilambur

2011-03-05T22:21:00.007+05:30

'Kathakali depicted on terracotta. Designed by artisans and potters trained by social entreprenuer Jinan

My journey into the world of the rural artisan communities was not with the intention of ‘developing’ them or educating them. I went to them to regain that which I had lost in the process of getting educated; to learn from them. Having escaped ‘education’ and ‘development’ they were still original and authentic and were holding on to the culture and world-view, which sustained them for centuries. I perceived the rural / tribal communities as being wise and evolved; and recognised that only by learning from them could we lead sustainable lives.”

This is the story of Jinan, a rebel, activist, designer and a wonderful human being. More over this is the story of all those people’s life that he touched and changed positively for ever.

A news report on how the destiny of Aruvacode, from being a simple potter village had changed to becoming a hub of sex-workers impelled him to proceed to Aruvacode, a sleepy village by the river in Nilambur in Kerala. According to Jinan, “the reason for such a drastic transformation in the village was the rush of cheap substitutes of steel, aluminum, and plastic products to pottery in the market. The rush had pushed the demand for earthenware off the edge and the artisans were left a troubled and distressed lot. Seized of their traditional labour, women of the village were forced into sex-work.

Advent of consumerism had held out its stakes and the artisans failed to keep pace with the fancy needs of the new consumer. In earlier times the artisans had always responded excellently to the local needs of the people, as a strong cultural bond held the user and the producer in unison. But every nuance of modernity brought with it newer difficulties for the potters.”

Pottery revival is to some extend happening through tourism in other villages like Arangottukkara as well. pic by Anita Nair

Several years with the potters of Aruvacode had revealed to him that the issue of development lies deep in preserving the self-respect and creativity of the concerned community. In his presentation on “De-colonising the Aesthetic Sense: The story of craft revival in Aruvacode potters’ village” Jinan argues that “any community, armed with an absolute sense of self-respect and untarnished creativity, is well able to sail through all their problems. It is a dilemma of the ‘educated’ and the culturally uprooted sections of our society where development is perceived more on an economic plane. It is these sections more than any body that genuinely consider the distressed community as incapable of confronting and solving their own problems. “

Treading therefore very carefully, not to step on to the much-travelled path by the interventionist agencies, he took up the work with the potters, honouring his own integrity. He ensured that the aesthetic quality of whatever they made to be rooted in their own culture. He therefore limited his role to incorporating utilitarian aspects into their creations. It was a slow process and the products that emerged were evolved at a natural pace.

The basic idea behind their training programmes were to help the individuals regain their wisdom and confidence which lies embedded within their own communities and culture, believing that creativity can and does solve many a problem related to self-esteem.

Trekking through the rain forests to reach to Nilambur from Wayanad. Pic. Anand Sankar

Five years ago, after a long and two-days of ardent trek from Waynad through the rain forests to Nilambur, we went to spent some time with Jinan. He was by then married to a local woman and still staying with the community creating more livelihood for them. Jina’s work has created good demand for the unique products developed at Aruvakode and one can see products from this small ‘colony’ being displayed in several cities in India.

Our Norwegian partner Ethical Travel Portal had put together an itinerary that featured interactions with artists at Aruvakode. Sometimes, all it takes for a change is one person. In this case it was Jinan. One of our local heroes.

Inviting volunteers

2011-03-03T08:17:00.004+05:30

'products like this bag made out of banana-fibre has helped raise 15 lakhs of Rupees in last three years'

“I don't feel like a dead log now; rather I feel like one among you.”Kumarettan, who benefitted out of the socio-economic rehabilitation at the Institute of Palliative Medicine in Kozhikode said recently.

Footprints is a social rehabilitation project by IPM for the physically and mentally incapacitated people. Patients bedridden with spinal injuries are the main beneficiaries of the project. People with advanced kidney diseases and chronic psychiatric illness are also enrolled in the program. Patients are trained to make various items like umbrellas. environmental friendly pens, paper bags etc through interactive training camps organized at IPM. Raw materials are supplied to the patient after the training, the products that they make are collected, sold and the profit returned to them. The project depends heavily on the involvement of the students from various campuses in Calicut city who are linked to the patients. Students support the patients through camps and sell their products through sales organized in various campuses.

Workshops like the one to be organised at the IPM between 2-8th of March 2011, has provided opportunities and capacities for patients to be able to raise funds to the tune of 1.5 million Indian Rupees in less than three years period. These workshops are also a platform for patients from different locations to come together and get to know of each other and to interact with volunteers. It is here that they learn more skills. These days they are designing and producing hand-crafted bags from banana fibre.

Our local partners like Vayali Folklore group will also spend time at the centre to provide entertainment to the volunteers and patients who will be camping in Kozhikode. If there is anyone interested to come and volunteer with us during these days or any other following workshops, please let us know.

From one traveller to another

2011-03-02T11:48:00.006+05:30

The following is a text from an email from one of our earlier traveller to another guest who is preparing his visit to India.

images from Tholpetty - Wildlife Sanctuary in Wayanad.

"Good to hear that you are going to Kerala and Karnataka! These are really destinations that deserve to be known to the world. As The Blue Yonder mentioned I was in Bangalore and Kerala this January and had an amazing time. Actually I think that it was not so much entirely the places I visited but mostly the people I met and the experiences those meetings gave me. So to begin with, prepare to be open-minded, talk to people (whom in general are incredibly friendly) and enjoy all the fantastic places and experiences. One important thing that definitely should not be missed is the opportunity to practice yoga with real masters that really live and breathe yoga. That in combination with Ayurvedic massage is really a winner.

with Gurukkal Unnikrishnan at Poomulli Mana Kalari

Traveling on my own was no problem at all, especially since The Blue Yonder planned my trip, but also that I actually felt completely safe during the whole trip.

As for destinations you shouldn't miss out on river Nila and the area around. This is where I probably had the strongest experiences, partly because of the fact that its not crowded with other tourists. Which makes the experiences more genuine and authentic. There are some people working with handicraft that is really interesting to meet (bell metal, clay, weaving and so on). You should try to be part a workshop and the making of the handicraft. Also, if you get a chance to listen to the Vayali folklore group playing traditional music and dancing, that is a great way to get the feeling of the rhythm of Kerala.

If possible you should see the work of Dr Suresh at the IPM (Institute of Palliative Medicine) in Calicut as well. It was amazing to see the work that they have done to improve the life of patients needing palliative care, and how the people in the village come together to help.

Another favorite of mine was Marari beach resort. Had a really nice meeting and session with a yoga master there (Master Krishna Kurup) who gave me a lot of inspiration within yoga and meditation. And their "forest" of hammocks was just the true paradise of relaxation :)

I also went on a hike in Wayanad where I saw wild elephants, bats, chameleons and tiger tracks. This is on route more or less between Kerala and Karnataka and really worth a visit. As of the food, it was quite spicy to me in the beginning. But I slowly got used to it. And even got kind of semi used to eating with my fingers! Really loved the Poori and curry. But there are lots of good foodŠ And the Kingfisher beer is actually real good too ;)

Attached are a few of the many photos I took on my trip. Please let me know if you have any more questions. I'll be happy to tell more. "