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F1 Travel Guide - 2008

Thursday, March 13, 2008

The Official Travel Notes Blog

Ayrton Senna - Six Times Winner in Monaco - copyright Michel Guntern, TravelNotes.org

With the Formula 1 season revving up for the 2008 start this weekend in Australia, I know I've left my F1 Travel Guide a little late.

But the article has been totally updated with all this season's race fixtures and all the links checked and altered where necessary.

There are two new street circuits to visit this season: Valencia (August 24th) and Singapore (for night racing, on September 28th).

I fancy making the trip down to Valencia myself but don't think I'll manage (or afford) to travel to Singapore the following month; unless anyone feels generous enought to sponsor me.

Hopefully I'll get around to updating the Monaco GP article soon.

If you want to travel to one of the Grand Prix races this season, read the article.

Tourism For Tomorrow

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

The Official Travel Notes Blog

The finalists for the 2008 'Tourism for Tomorrow Awards' have been announced by the World Travel & Tourism Council.

The 12 finalists showcase some of the world's leading examples in sustainable tourism development; from among a pool of 150 exceptional applications, from over 40 countries.

Destination Award

Blackstone Valley, USA:
Since 1985 the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council has been a force behind the rebirth of the Blackstone River Valley, Rhode Island USA.

Rinjani Trek Ecotourism Programme, Indonesia:
The Rinjani Trek Ecotourism Programme - located in Lombok, Indonesia - began in 1999; to strengthen conservation and to ensure that communities on the boundary of the National Park benefit from tourism revenues.

Town of Bouctouche, Canada:
Bouctouche was a typical, coastal Maritime village with a diminishing rural economy; until two tourism investments began its evolution to the vibrant community it is today.

Conservation Award

Ecotourism Australia:
Ecotourism Australia was formed in 1991 - as a not-for-profit organization, based in Brisbane - and has since then significantly contributed to long-term environmental sustainability; through its ground-breaking ECO Certification Program.

Grootbos Nature Reserve, South Africa:
Grootbos Nature Reserve, with its two 5-star lodges and luxury accommodation, is spectacularly situated on the fynbos and forest clad hills; overlooking the whale-watching haven of Walker Bay.

Turtle Conservation Project, Sri Lanka:
TCP was established in 1993, as a Sri Lankan non-governmental organisation.

Investor in People Award

Fair Trade in Tourism , South Africa:
Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) is a not-for-profit initiative that promotes equitable and sustainable tourism; through awareness raising, capacity building and the facilitation of the world's first tourism 'Fair Trade' certification scheme.

RARE / La Ruta Moskitia, Honduras:
Within the largest remaining tract of rainforest in Central America lies a remote region of Honduras known as 'La Moskitia', or the Mosquito Coast. For centuries, the expansive forest, wetlands, and rich indigenous groups of La Moskitia have intrigued adventure-seekers and explorers.

Rainforest Expeditions - Posadas Amazonas, Peru:
The Ecotourism Project that led to 'Posada Amazonas', is an initiative to demonstrate that a tourism joint venture between business and a local community can not only be successful in empowering that local community and conserving natural resources but is also sound business practice.

Global Tourism Business Award

Scandic Hotels:
Scandic pionieering activity in reducing carbon emissions on all levels of business operations is paramount. A strong focus on health and accessibility to healthy, good living is the driving factor behind Scandi's efforts.

Serena Hotels and Lodges:
In line with Serena's corporate philosophy of building a basis for an all fascinating holiday experience comprising of intact nature, environment and local people, Serena has anchored environmental protection as an important element of its quality standards since 1990.

Six Senses resorts and Spas:
Resort and Spa Management and Development company established in 1995, which manages luxury resorts and spas in the Maldives, Oman, Thailand, Vietnam, Spain and Fiji.

Winners will be invited to the 8th Global Travel & Tourism Summit held in Dubai (20-22 April, 2008) to receive their awards.

Travel Notes Linking Policy

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

The Official Travel Notes Blog

When I started Travel Notes, in 1997, it was a pleasure linking to other travel sites that expanded on our content. But with the explosion of the Internet, every little 'room for rent' and 'tour guide' is trying to promote their 'business' without giving anything back or, even worse, trying to get their list of affiliate links noticed.

There are no automated robots adding the links at Travel Notes, so reviewing websites is rather time-consuming; especially as we have to trawl through a lot of rubbish in our inbox to get to the gems.

Therefore, the Add URLs now go here first; to better seperate the wheat from the chaff - when I have the spare time.

We don't do 'link exchanges' at Travel Notes and don't like linking to websites with lists of links totally irrelevant to their content.

We do still like to help promote those who add some worthwhile travel tips or offer discounts to Travel Notes members. If this applies to you, then the Travel Notes direct lines are still open.

If all you're looking for is a link, then you might be better off here.

To cut down on spamming, links are no longer added automatically and sites not sending any traffic to the list might not even appear in the directory.

The alternative is to pay for advertising, or if you think we're taking too long - an express submission.

March 2008 Update

The Official Travel Notes Blog

As many of you may have noticed, we're now curating travel videos on Travel Notes.

Some of the videos I've seen are enlightening and very professionally produced, some are little more than company adverts and some are really quite personal.

Deciding which videos to keep and which to drop is never easy as what doesn't work for me might still interest you. Hopefully the community can help me decide.

Video Reviewers:
If you like to travel and are interested in the moving image, you can now join Travel Notes as a video reviewer and enlighten the community with your comments and general insights into travel and video content.

We've also added a cruise section to Travel Notes, something I've been meaning to do for ages, but still need to expand on all the cruise ship pages.

Work in Progress

Sadly, what with the videos and cruises, the Africa section was left on the back-burner. But I am on it now!

Then I'll have to run that way overdue link check, on the Africa pages, to get rid of the dreaded link rot.

After that, I know I keep saying it, it will be time to renovate and expand the Airlines and Airports sections.

Stay tuned!

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