Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset is an annual event that allows runners to experience some of the most spectacular and pristine trail running in the world, as well as a week of discovery and exploration. While the race offers a challenging competition, it also provides the opportunity to be part of the important efforts to preserve the beauty of Hovsgol National Park and the local cultural identity. Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset is also a non-profit initiative working to support the implementation of the “zero-litter policy” in the national park and to contribute to the local economy.

The rhinoceros is critically endangered! Approximately 200 years ago, at the turn of the 19th century, there were an estimated one million rhinos. By 1970, the count was about 70,000. Today, there are fewer than 24,000 remaining in the wild. If there is no change in our appreciation of this magnificent animal – if we do not take action to stop poaching and support the protection of our rhinos – the five surviving species (white rhino, black rhino, Indian rhino, Sumatran rhino and Javan rhino) will become extinct in the wild in our lifetime.

In Southeast Asia’s so-called Emerald Triangle, a region of extensive natural forests growing along the tripartite border of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, some of the most beautiful and least touristy landscapes are in southern Laos. Travellers who make it there, specifically to the lesser-known Lao province of Champasak, are always wowed by the region’s attractions and wonders, the first often being the phenomenal World Heritage site of Wat Phou.

Ecotourism Korea was founded to promote ecotourism – ecologically sustainable tourism that contributes to conservation of natural and cultural heritages, and welfare of local society – and sustainable development of ecotourism businesses in Korea. Through research, networking and education initiatives, Ecotourism Korea aims to contribute to sound policy development for ecotourism, improve opportunities for stakeholders in Korea, and strengthen collaboration with other international ecotourism organizations.

Japan Ecotourism Society (JES), TIES Association member, annually organizes its National Ecotourism Symposium for Students, which helps promote opportunities for students and young professionals to become actively engaged in research projects in the fields of conservation and community-based tourism, as well as to gain valuable networking experiences. In Japan, ecotourism as a research field is still a relatively young industry, and therefore, there aren’t many platforms for students to present their ecotourism-related research.

The new manual, “Stepping Towards Sustainability: A Manual for Sustainable Tourism Suppliers and Supporters,” presents 20 common principles to realize sustainable tourism, developed through an extensive consultation process with over 200 representatives of Thai tourism supplier groups. The manual serves as a handy guide for suppliers developing and striving to improve their sustainability practices. These principles have been developed based on a consensus reached by participating local tourism supplier groups who compared the main pillars of the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria

The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), a network of existing trails which connect popular trekking areas with areas that are less explored, is the highest and one of the longest walking trails in the world. Winding beneath the world’s highest peaks and visiting some of the most remote communities on earth, the Great Himalaya Trail, roughly 4,500 km in length, passes through lush green valleys, arid high plateaus and incredible landscapes, crossing through Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, India, and Pakistan.

The average length of stay for a traveller to Cambodia is less than three days – Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, and move on. What about the rest of this amazing country? What about cycling the back roads through rice paddies, navigating the Mekong by boat before visiting a river dolphin conservation project, discovering beautiful waterfalls, remote temples, and learning about development issues while visiting a range of Cambodia’s non-governmental organizations (NGOs)?

The Blue Yonder (TIES Business Member) sponsored an eco-holiday trip “River Nila Holiday” last year that was featured on TIES ecoAuction. Spending days along the River Nila in the Malabar region of Kerala, and enjoying uniquely local experiences, the trip offers travelers an opportunity to get to know Kerala’s great local heritage sites and culinary highlights in an intimate way. Myriam and Titou, who participated in the River Nila Holiday journey with The Blue Yonder in 2009, share their Kerala experiences…

Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism (CMAT), in partnership with Destination Management Organization (DMO) of Chitral, celebrated the International Day of Climate Change Action (October 10, 2010 – 10/10/10), which was initiated by 350.org, was celebrated in Booni, Chitral (Northern Pakistan), through the facilitation of and 350.org. The theme of the day was “Breaking of Booni Glacier, Its Relation to Climate Change.”