<![CDATA[Tourism Directory]]> MemHT Portal <![CDATA[Moroccan Odyssey Expedition]]> Morocco's mystique can be found in medinas that brim with color, soaring mountains that give way to endless desert, oases thick with palms, and stunning Moorish architecture. Discover the enchanting cities of Marrakech and Fez, venture into rose-colored casbahs, and visit Berbers in their mountain villages. Listen to the strains of Berber music around a campfire in the Sahara, and stay at the glorious Palais Jamai in Fez.]]> <![CDATA[Kenya Wildlife Safari Africa Expeditions]]> In the rolling grasslands of southern Kenya, experience a fascinating and fragile ecosystem through the eyes of wildlife biologists dedicated to its conservation. Embark on game drives in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, and visit researchers who track elephant and lion populations and work to reduce local poaching. Then head to the legendary Masai Mara and enjoy four days on safari.]]> <![CDATA[Egypt Family Adventure Africa expedition]]> With its pharaohs, myths, and mysterious temples, Egypt is a wonderful destination for young explorers. Introduce your family to the rich culture of Egypt on an expedition to Cairo, Abu Simbel, Aswân, and Luxor. Experience the excitement of a lively bazaar, sail a traditional felucca, and come face-to-face with mummies as you delve into the history and mythology of ancient Egypt.]]> <![CDATA[Africa Expeditions Desert Crossroads and Himalaya]]> Venture to fabled lands crisscrossed for centuries by camel caravans making a brisk trade in salt, silk, ivory, gems, and precious metals.

In Mali, explore legendary Timbuktu and drink tea with nomadic Tuaregs. In Egypt, encounter the monumental achievements of great pharaohs at Luxor, or fly deep into the Western Desert to experience an ancient way of life that still thrives at Sîwa Oasis. In Jordan, step through the sacred halls of the great city of Petra. In India, behold the timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal. And in Bhutan, experience the spectacular sweep of this tiny Himalayan kingdom and uncover a fascinating Buddhist culture little changed by time.]]> <![CDATA[Big Bend National Park ]]> Chihuahuan Desert vegetation—bunchgrasses, creosote bushes, cactuses, lechuguillas, yuccas, sotols, and more—covers most of the terrain. But the Rio Grande and its lush floodplains and steep, narrow canyons form almost a park of their own. So do the Chisos Mountains; up to 20 degrees cooler than the desert floor, they harbor pine, juniper, and oak, as well as deer, mountain lions, bears, and other wildlife. A heavy rain transforms the desert: Normally dry creek beds roar with water, and seeds long dormant burst into fields of wildflowers.]]> <![CDATA[Badlands National Park]]> Containing the world’s richest Oligocene epoch fossil beds, dating 37-28 million years old, the evolutionary stories of mammals such as the horse and rhinoceros arise from the 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires. Bison, bighorn sheep, endangered black-footed ferrets, and swift fox roam one of the largest, protected mixed-grass prairies in the United States.]]> <![CDATA[Arches National Park]]> Arches National Park preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, like the world-famous Delicate Arch, as well as many other unusual rock formations. In some areas, the forces of nature have exposed millions of years of geologic history. The extraordinary features of the park create a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures that is unlike any other in the world.]]> <![CDATA[Acadia National Park]]> Sea and mountain meet at Acadia, where, as one presumably ambidextrous visitor wrote, "you can fish with one hand and sample blueberries from a wind-stunted bush with the other." Most of the park is on Mount Desert Island, a patchwork of parkland, private property, and seaside villages that seasonally fill with what residents call "the summer people." Other bits are scattered on smaller islands and a peninsula.]]> <![CDATA[Arcadia National Parks Operating Hours]]> Acadia National Park is open all year. Information is available at park headquarters all year and at Hulls Cove Visitor Center from April 15 through October.]]> <![CDATA[US National Parks]]> The U.S. National Park Service preserves 390 parks, historic sites, memorials, and recreation areas that attract nearly 300 million visits every year. There are 58 national parks in the system, as varied as the country that houses them. Yellowstone thrills visitors with its explosive grandeur, Acadia charms with its carriage roads. The giant wonders of Sequoia, the Everglades' "river of grass," the natural skyscrapers of Arches, the frozen beauty of Wrangell-St. Elias—to experience them all would take a lifetime. A British diplomat once called national parks the best idea America ever had. See for yourself.]]> <![CDATA[World Tourism Day ,Know about that]]> The institution of so-called world days to highlight among government and private circles and the public at large, salient features of the activities of intergovernmental organizations, is a widespread practice.]]> <![CDATA[Adventure & Ecotourism]]> Even if you don't have a lot of outdoor experience, day excursions and guided tours allow you to discover true Alaska wilderness during the day and sleep in a comfortable bed at night. For the seasoned outdoor expert, Alaska is teeming with the opportunities for the rugged, backcountry treks.]]> <![CDATA[How to slash your travel-tour costs Part 9]]> If you're in a major city and your food budget is tight, be economical with dinner (get a big sandwich at a cheap deli, assemble an inexpensive meal from groceries). Then, to sample local specialties, splurge on desserts. Your overall tab will likely be less than the cost of dinner without dessert a fancy restaurant.]]> <![CDATA[How to slash your travel-tour costs Part 8]]> Stay in a U.S. national park lodge in winter. If you're willing to brave the cold, you could save up to 40 percent. For a complete listing of national park lodges, log on to US-Parks.com.]]> <![CDATA[How to slash your travel-tour costs Part 7]]> Convert money at a local bank for the best rates. ATMs affiliated with major international banks are great, but be wary of foreign ATMs; while you won't be charged a conversion rate, you may be charged hefty fees by your bank. Learn your bank's policies before you leave.]]> <![CDATA[How to slash your travel-tour costs Part 6]]> Visit small neighborhood markets instead of big, flashy shopping venues. That artisan tapestry or handmade jewelry will cost less, and you'll support local businesses and have a more authentic shopping experience. And don't underestimate the markup on items sold in those big shopping centers. Items for sale on Paris's Champs-Elysee, for example, are reliably more expensive than the same item at a different location.]]> <![CDATA[How to slash your travel-tour costs Part 5]]> Free is the magic word. Check Traveler's Free Cities Index to discover freebies at your destination. Madrid's Museo del Prado, for example, offers free admission on Sundays. In London, the National Gallery, the British Museum, the Tate Modern, and the Museum of Natural History are all free, as are the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. Plan ahead to maximize your chances of visiting an attraction when it's free, and keep a notebook with a listing of free activities in the city; this way you won't fall into the trap of spending money to kill time. Next time you have time to spare, you can pull out your book and find a free site nearby.]]> <![CDATA[How to slash your travel-tour costs Part 4]]> Telestial, which offers prepaid phones that work in 200 countries. Alternatively, buy an international calling card. You might have to use pay phones, but the savings are worth it.]]> <![CDATA[How to slash your travel-tour costs Part 3]]> Choose wisely when it comes to ground transportation. Taxis, which are often required by their organization or local government to charge higher rates within airport boundaries, can be the most expensive option. Many major airports have quick and reliable shuttle or subway services into the city center, where you can catch a cab to your hotel at a fraction of the cost.]]> <![CDATA[How to slash your travel-tour costs Part 2]]> 13. Consider an alternate airport. Often cities are near multiple airports, and fares can vary dramatically from one to the next based on location and air carrier service. Washington, D.C., for example, is within driving distance of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. But fares are often lower at Baltimore Washington, because it's farther away. Just make sure you have transportation from the alternate airports—travelers often buy cheap tickets into London's Gatwick or Stansted airports only to find they have to pay steep carfares to get to London proper. Heathrow airport, on the other hand, has quick and easy access to London's tube system. If making flight connections in Europe, bypass major airport hubs such as Charles de Gaulle in Paris and Heathrow in London. Switch planes in less trafficked Dublin instead.]]> <![CDATA[How to slash your travel-tour costs Part 1]]> Don't get caught in a tourist money trap. Learn how to save big with our savvy strategies, from avoiding hidden charges to cashing in on off-season deals, and finding the best bargains on hotel rooms, vacation packages, flights, and more.]]> <![CDATA[Amsterdam ]]> <![CDATA[Alaska Explorer Part 5]]> Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve is by air charter from King Salmon, but it's worth the effort to steer clear of the crowds. Hike to the bottom of a six-mile-wide, 2,500-foot volcanic caldera set on the Ring of Fire, or take to the rapids of Aniakchak River. Soak up the vibrant colors of the western shores of Surprise Lake, where thermally influenced springs drain and light up the landscape with its rich iron content. +1 907 246 3305.]]> <![CDATA[Alaska Explorer Part 4]]> Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, 125 miles south of Anchorage, at milepost 0 of the Seward Highway. Alaska's only public aquarium calls itself your "window on the sea" and delivers with a series of behind-the-scenes tours of the research and wildlife rehabilitation efforts. You can meet a marine mammal keeper, get to know a 2,000+ pound Steller sea lion, learn about the giant Pacific octopus, or even dissect a squid. Seward, +1 907 224 6300.]]> <![CDATA[Alaska Explorer Part 3]]> 21. You'll have to bus 90 miles into Denali National Park to find Camp Denali and the North Face Lodge, one of the few guest properties within the six million miles of parkland wilderness. The hand-hewn lodges have been on site since 1952 and were first founded by two women WASP pilots who settled there after World War II. Based on the Nordic hut system, the lodge is considered by many to be the country's first eco-lodge, and its commitment to sustainable living is furthered by the collection of area guides, scientists, and anthropologists who act as visiting resource leaders for guests. +1 907 683 2290.]]> <![CDATA[Alaska Explorer Part 2]]> Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival held every July. Yes, there's music and a parade, but you're there for the weekend's highlights: The Moose Drop Dropping (fecal matter launched at a large bulls-eye target) and the Mountain Mother Contest (moms competing to chop firewood, diaper a baby, shoot bows and arrows, and prepare a pie). Talkeetna, +1 907 733 2487.]]> <![CDATA[What to do and SEE in Alaska]]> Alaska celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2009. We found 50 unique ways to experience the "Last Frontier" all year long.

1. Turning 50 this year? Your birthday gets you a free ticket on the Alaska Railroad, which stretches from Seward to Anchorage, then continues up through Denali National Park to Fairbanks. With their dome cars, every seat feels like a window seat. Disembark to climb on glaciers, canoe and kayak, or camp in the park. +1 907 265 2494.

]]> <![CDATA[Climate Change and Tourism]]>
  • The growing international awareness about the fast pace of climate ‎change taking place on our ‎planet, together with the impacts that such ‎changes are having on the natural environment, on ‎humans and their ‎economic activities have become evident.
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  • For tourism, climate change is not a remote event, but a phenomenon ‎that already affects the ‎sector and certain destinations in particular, ‎mountain regions and coastal destinations among ‎others. At the same ‎time, the tourism sector is contributing to greenhouse gas emissions ‎‎‎(GHG), especially through the transport of tourists.‎ ‎
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