Vote for EcoTourism handbook up for international award

About the Award
Government websites that engage locals and visitors about ecotourism and responsible travel are eligible to win Planeta.com's annual Ecotourism Spotlight Award.

"Locals and visitors are seeking ecotourism experiences," said Planeta.com founder Ron Mader. "The Ecotourism Spotlight Award encourages government leaders to move forward as we give credit to those leading the pack."

Nominees for the 2009 award include Quito Visitors' Bureau, Responsible Tourism Guide to the Mekong , Ecotourism Laos, Failte Ireland and Mexico's National Commission of Natural Protected Areas.

"These nominees have utilized the Web in highly creative and innovative ways that engage locals and visitors and inspire us all," Mader said.

Examples of best practices include Failte Ireland's ecotourism handbook for all 16,000 Irish tourism businesses and Quito's documentation of eco activities including weekend bike rides. Web 2.0 tools are showcased on the Mekong site and multi-lingual information is showcased on the Mexico parks website. Two-time Ecotourism Spotlight Award winner Ecotourism Laos has been revising its site and shows how any good website is regularly updated to maintain its effectiveness.

The Ecotourism Spotlight Award was developed to create incentives for communication, opportunities for conversation and a reward for participation among government leaders working toward ecotourism and responsible travel. Municipal, regional, national and international government websites are eligible.

The winner is announced in celebration of World Tourism Day (September 27) to spotlight best practices from government institutions. Winners receive international exposure and bragging rights.

Besides the information on the wiki and Planeta.com, a review of this year's award appears online slideshare (one of my favorite web tools!) http://www.slideshare.net/planeta/2009spotlightaward

This Publication was jointly produced in assoication with Greenbox and many of our network members feature in it .

Greenfishing in Northwest-Riverside Cottage Kinlough

www.vimeo.com/5662583 or http://www.rte.ie/news/nationwide/index.html


"This feature was screened on RTÉ's Nationwide programme on July 19 2009. It focusses on one of the best kept fishing secrets in Ireland's north west, the Drowes Salmon Fishery. Typically, the first salmon of the year caught anywhere in Ireland is caught here. It's also a haven of peace and tranquillity and this feature highlights the owner's dedication to enhancing the fishery's Green credentials, having attained the EU flower, the European Union's standard for Green living.

Business and Finance Magazine - Article on Greenbox and Ecotourism

Hi Everyone

Please see a recent article published in the Business and Finance magazine on Ecotourism and the Greenbox.

Click on the link below to view the article:


Business and Finance Article

The Launch of Donegal Walking Week

Donegal Walking Week 2009, launched today by Donegal Sports Partnership, is hoping to encourage as many individuals, families, schools and workplaces as possible to get active and get walking. The event is primarily taking place from the 24th until 30th May with a focus on community led family fun walking programme all across County Donegal. The week will also include workshops and presentations on walking fitness, the environment and heritage.

The week long event will kick off with a family walk at the Bluestack Centre outside Donegal Town on the 24th May. This walk will include information sessions and practical demonstrations on outdoor activities such as tent pitching, outdoor footwear and clothing and personal safety.

Donegal Walking Week provides a great opportunity for both the local community and visitors to get out and sample the many walking opportunities Donegal has on offer. All abilities are catered for and local accommodation providers are offering overnight packages to encourage visitors to stay in the Donegal area.

A full programme of activities is planned throughout the week in all areas of the county including 26 guided walks both coastal and inland, a family challenge, educational workshops on outdoor activities and also on the environment and walking for health.

The week long festivities will conclude with a family fun day at Glenveagh Castle where they will present one lucky family with a €500 gift voucher sponsored by Wet’n'Wild, Letterkenny for having completed the family walking challenge!
Once again we have scheduled in some FitWalk workshops at various locations throughout the county, these workshop locations will be finalised shortly and a list will be published on www.activedonegal.com

The key sponsors of the event include Irish Sports Council, Fáilte Ireland, Health Service Executive, Gartan Outdoor Education Centre, Donegal VEC, Udarás na Gaeltachta, Donegal County Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Donegal Local Development Company, the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Bluestack Centre.

Hi Everyone,

On Thursday, 14th May 2009, the Greenbox and some of its Network Members were featured on the RTE Six One News. James Hanrahan from Sligo Institute of Technology, Noeleen Tyrrell of Ard Nahoo Health Farm and Kevin Currid from Lough Allen Adventure Centre all took part in the interview with Eileen Magner.

To view the video clip, please click on the link below. Scroll down the page until you come to the heading "In Focus - Growth in eco-tourism". Well done to everyone involved for a great interview promoting the Greenbox and ecotourism.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0514/6news.html

Inishbofin Arts Festival

May 8th to 20th 2009


Fri - Cunninghams featuring Sharon Shannon, Elanor Shanley & Dessie O Halloran

Sat -Imelda May with Support Small Cars

Sun - John Spillane

Day Activities include - Falconry display, Archaeological walk, Marine walk, Teddy bears picnic, Play, poetry reading

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AT LEITRIM DESIGN HOUSE identifying and answering the needs of the marketplace.

The Leitrim Design House is dedicated to supporting the creative industries in County Leitrim. As part of our 2009 Business Development Training Leitrim Design House will run a “New Product Development Programme”. The programme begins on April 15th at the Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon.
A member-based business development and marketing organisation the Leitrim Design House is dedicated to promoting excellence and economic development in the field of contemporary art, craft and design. The Leitrim Design House provides a strong support system for artists, designers and craft workers based in Leitrim and is a very clear example of how the talents of local people can be turned into a viable enterprise.
The “New Product Development Programme” will enable designers and makers to develop new suites of products or additions to existing ranges. It will help those working in creative business to determine what it is they really want to achieve from their own business. In these challenging economic times all businesses are looking at creative ways to develop and grow.
The programme is suitable for people from a wide range of disciplines including fashion, art, home wares, traditional and contemporary craft, photography, print & publishing and any organisation or individual wishing to develop, brand and promote a product or service.
Led by Eddie Shanahan this practical programme will address key issues from market research and consumer trends, sources of inspiration and competitor analysis. From research through to development it will cover crucial topics such as introduction to marketplace and promotion, market structure and strategy.

All aspects of developing your “own” creative business will be dealt with from marketing and design to range development, protecting intellectual property, brand development and presentation to market.
Eddie Shanahan works with a host of leading Irish and international companies and individuals and is one of Ireland’s leading experts on fashion, lifestyle and retail. He is a business consultant to several leading Irish design companies including Louise Kennedy, The Kilkenny group, Enterprise Ireland and Dunne’s stores.
His practical advise and guidance means this programme will be very hands on – working with real product created by individual designers .Participants will be supported and encouraged through a group dynamic and they will have the opportunity to learn from the experience of others as the programme progresses.

Delving into influences on contemporary lifestyle and how it assesses design, value and service participants will explore the emotional / rational dichotomy of selling.
The programme will define the characteristics of strong brands and assist participants in leveraging the power of their brands as a launch pad for new products.
The programme starts on the 15th of April and will run one day per month from 10.30 to 4pm on May 13th, June 10th and July 15th. The programme fee is €200.00 per person. For a booking form or further information contact Anna-Marie or Geraldine at the Leitrim Design House on 071 96 50533 or email info@leitrimdesignhouse.ie
The Leitrim Design House supports local creative industries and helps conserve the cultural identity of County Leitrim.