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Local Offices |
Guides | Recommendations |
Responsible Tourism
Professional Organizations & Education
Latin
American Escapes was founded in 1996 to offer unique and personalized custom
and group itineraries to Latin America. Our philosophy is simple: we do
everything possible to make sure your trip exceeds your
expectations.
We realize
that Latin America is still an unknown destination for many. We pride ourselves
in our experience, expertise and willingness to provide our clients with all
the knowledge and confidence they need to comfortably explore all that Latin
America has to offer.
Not only
does the entire region offer numerous cultural and adventure choices to
tantalize you, there is a multitude of options in each country. With so many
choices, you need a true travel professional with expertise in Latin America to
help you sort through the options. Latin American Escapes offers you expert
guidance and friendly service as we plan your trip from beginning to
end.
Our staff
visits Latin America frequently to keep up with all the latest in
accommodations, activities and transportation. Maintaining these close
relationships with our preferred hotels, guides and local operators allow us to
provide you with up-to-date recommendations. You'll find our sales staff ready
to answer all your questions, and offer creative ideas on options that will
suit your travel style, budget and vacation time. Want to join a group tour for
an exciting adventure trip, or natural history exploration? No problem! Do you
prefer a custom designed itinerary for yourself or a group of friends? Our
specialty!
Tell us
your dreams! A private boat charter in the Galapagos Islands? Visits or home
stays in local communities? Your future read by a traditional shaman? Observe
the weaving, pottery, painting or woodcarving by local artisans in their
private workshops? Want to see first-hand a community's efforts towards
environmental and socially responsible tourism? Horseback riding, river
rafting, unique cultural experiences-these are all easy requests with our
extensive network of local offices and dedicated guides.
Local
Offices
Latin American Escapes carefully selects a local representative
in each destination. Each one is chosen because they reflect our philosophy,
commitment to quality, attention to detail and superior customer service. These
offices are responsible for the operational side of your itinerary. For most of
them, our working relationship extends back 10 or 15 years. Their proven
ability to effortlessly handle details and any changes along the way is
exceptional! During your trip, you'll have detailed contact information for
each local office, as well as after-hours access, giving you the security of
assistance at any time. As always, our staff in the US is here to assist you as
well.
Guides
Our guides are trained and
qualified by our local offices. In most cases these are "on-staff" guides, who
have been working with our clients for many years. They are eager to share with
you their knowledge and personal insights into local traditions and customs.
For many destinations, we have certified natural history guides. For others we
have experts in history, archaeology, native communities, art, literature,
textiles, all forms of adventure travel sports, etc. These guides are chosen
for their high level of expertise, knowledge and people skills. It is not
unusual for us to be told that our guides are some of the best encountered any
where in the world! We know part of this comes from the natural warmth and
sincerity of the Latin American people. And part is finding the most dedicated
and diverse guides who strive to enthusiastically share with you the wonders of
their country.
We are very
proud of their dedication to our clients, and their desire to provide you with
an exceptional and memorable trip.
Recommendations
Over the years we've
had several of our unique tours highlighted in many prominent publications such
as Outside Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, International Travel News,
Recommend Magazine, Condé Nast, and Travel Weekly. Regional newspapers
in Denver, Houston, New York, Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco and Miami
have published profiles on our quality programs. You will also find Latin
American Escapes recommended in several guide book publications, including
Frommer's, Lonely Planet, Fodor's, Footprint Handbooks and the Outside
Magazine Adventure Guide.
Responsible Tourism
Latin American
Escapes is dedicated to worldwide conservation and sustainable tourism. Our
trips are designed to encourage an understanding and appreciation for nature,
and to respect, protect and benefit the local communities.
We donate a
percentage of our profits to several organizations that focus on cultural and
environmental sustainability. Our staff stays current on these issues by
attending important industry conferences and by "hands-on" participation as
board members and/or advisors to specific projects and related non-profit
groups.
See how we
are making a difference, and
how you can help.
Professional Organizations &
Education
We believe the best way to stay informed on current industry
issues is by active participation in trade and professional organizations. We
make a point of attending annual meetings, world summits and trade shows, and
participating in on-line focus groups and marketing forums. Below you'll find a
sample of the events we've most recently attended, and the professional
organizations we belong to:
- Adventure Travel World Summit -
the Adventure Travel World Summit provides the global adventure travel
community with the single most powerful, creative and productive gathering of
influential executives and strategic staff members. The Summit brings together
diverse facets of the industry to network, collaborate, learn and more
effectively and readily tap into the burgeoning potential of adventure
travel.
- DEMA Trade Show - Sponsored by
the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association, this show focuses on every
aspect of the dive industry, including seminars on important dive-based
locations and resort facilities.
- TravelMart Latin America - the
most important business development event of the year for Latin America
Tourism. This venue allows us to meet face-to-face with most of our local
offices. We learn about all the newest hotels, transportation and tours
available through out Latin America. A different country is selected each year
to host this important gathering.
- Expotur - A 3 day trade show
held annually in San Jose, Costa Rica, focusing mainly on Costa Rica Tourism
products-hotels, jungle lodges, adventure travel, new tours, etc.
- TREX-Travel Exchange Central
America This event focus on the diverse travel opportunities available
through-out Central America. Held each year in a different country, it gives
our staff an opportunity to experience first-hand any new and unique tourist
offerings.
- Marketing Forum on Sustainable
Tourism - an "invitation only" seminar sponsored by the
Rainforest Alliance that allowed us to exchange ideas with
international colleagues on developing, marketing and selling environmentally
and socially sound tourism services.
- Travel Institute National Forum
-
The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and
insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs,
professional certifications and customized learning solutions. The Institute
fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and
excellence. The Annual Forum provides a series of professional seminars and
inter-active workshops on industry issues. Our president and founder, Peggy
Newfield, received her CTC (Certified Travel Consultant) certification in 1986,
and remains active in the organization by attending the National Forum, and
participating in on-line educational programs.
- International Galapagos Tour Operators Association
(IGTOA) - an educational and conservation organization that funds
important projects and lobbies for conservation in the islands. We've been
active members, including a stint as President of the organization. Our annual
meetings are held in the Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, where we inspect
local operations, and review current environmental and community issues. We
also allocate funds we have raised through membership donations to worthy
projects that benefit the community and protect the natural resources. Latin
American Escapes generally donates $10 per Galapagos passenger to this fund
(site link-our Galapagos commitment)
- Adventure
Council believes that the Earth's cultural and natural heritage
must be maintained if future generations are to enjoy the challenges, rewards,
and educational value of Adventure Travel. The Adventure Council recognizes
that adventure travel can be an opportunity for protecting the Earth's diverse
cultural and natural heritage, upon which the future of adventure travel
depends.
- Adventure Travel Trade Association - is an
organization of like-minded tour companies focusing on professionalism, with a
shared vision of industry standards in the adventure travel
industry.
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