Comments for http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net Mon, 12 May 2008 15:19:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Salt Cay, First Green Island in the Caribbean(??) by TCI Lover http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2008/04/30/salt-cay-first-green-island-in-the-caribbean/#comment-4511 TCI Lover Fri, 02 May 2008 00:38:50 +0000 http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2008/05/01/salt-cay-first-green-island-in-the-caribbean/#comment-4511 The only "green" the Premier has in mind for Salt Cay's future is the money that will line his and his Russian and Czech buddies. For someone who had nothing when he came to power, he is a multi-millionaire who has sold islands such as Salt Cay to unscrupulous developers. Find out about the marina for gigaboats and megayachts they want to build on Salt Cay...it will cut the island in half; the salinas will be lost forever and drain into the ocean; habitats will be lost and it will be totally against the will of the people who live there. The TCI need help to prevent the rape of the country. The only “green” the Premier has in mind for Salt Cay’s future is the money that will line his and his Russian and Czech buddies. For someone who had nothing when he came to power, he is a multi-millionaire who has sold islands such as Salt Cay to unscrupulous developers.

Find out about the marina for gigaboats and megayachts they want to build on Salt Cay…it will cut the island in half; the salinas will be lost forever and drain into the ocean; habitats will be lost and it will be totally against the will of the people who live there.

The TCI need help to prevent the rape of the country.

]]> Comment on Hunting, Fishing and Ecotourism by Tim Day http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/11/15/hunting-fishing-and-ecotourism/#comment-2634 Tim Day Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:26:45 +0000 http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/11/15/hunting-fishing-and-ecotourism/#comment-2634 Hi, it's me again climbing back up on my soapbox. Well, once again Barbara, you've hit on a subject that I have quite a bit to say about. You can always hit the back button or delete key as you see fit ;-}. I have been an avid fisherman all my life since the first time, I was about five, that I pulled a 6 inch long Rudd out of a small pond in England and it was such a beautiful creature to see that I was instantly hooked myself. We never ate any of the fish we caught when I was a child in England, mostly because they were probably inedible no doubt, but I went fishing every chance I got. Now I am a dive Instructor and have my own dive shop, coincidence? I think not. I tell this little part of a story because I want some people to understand that there is definitely more to fishing than killing for meat for many millions of people around the world. Fishing is one of the most popular outdoors activities in the UK and almost all of those fishermen are exclusively practicing catch and release. I went through a phase myself when I did kill and eat many fish, mostly in Canada but also in the USA and The Bahamas and I mostly regret that now. For me the pleasure of paddling quietly along a lake at dawn to sneak up on a good fishing spot, trolling a lure as you go or humping a small aluminum boat through the shallows on a small river to spend a day on an inaccessible river fishing away the hours or even trolling along on a rough day on the ocean waiting for that big hit are all some of my most cherished memories and it has nothing to do with killing or eating fish. I don't really even understand the lure of it (sic) myself. Barbara, I don't think you should necessarily take fishing tours off your site. I do think though that you should only be promoting catch and release operators. Yes they may still kill some fish, but the increased awareness of wildlife and the great outdoors that many fisherman gain from spending time in a new area could possibly be a powerful resource for assistance in the protection of that local environment. Almost all flats fishing operators that are pursuing Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit are for instance a pretty safe bet that they are releasing almost all that they catch. In many of the places where this kind of fishing is done it becomes a very significant part of the local economy and gives locals a vested interest in preserving the flats' health. It also gives them some cash income that they can live from instead of what in many instances would be the only other alternative, commercial fishing. by contrast, very few Deep Sea charter operators however release anything other than billfish (Marlin and Sailfish) and some will kill even those, so if it matters to you, know who and what you are dealing with and support only catch and release fishing and in my opinion you will be promoting awareness of the importance of conservation that can have far reaching effects. As Ron says, calling it ecotourism may not be correct but that is a label that is overused in any case. All that aside, in my opinion, we all need to eat a lot less or no fish or else our rivers, lakes, seas and oceans are going to die, especially with modern commercial techniques. As you may have guessed, I could go on like this for hours but then everyone would stop reading which would defeat the purpose. Recommended reading on sustainable fishing: The Unnatural History of the Sea by Callum Roberts also on the <a href="http://www.york.ac.uk/res/unnatural-history-of-the-sea" rel="nofollow">web</a> Comments any one? Hi, it’s me again climbing back up on my soapbox.
Well, once again Barbara, you’ve hit on a subject that I have quite a bit to say about. You can always hit the back button or delete key as you see fit ;-}.
I have been an avid fisherman all my life since the first time, I was about five, that I pulled a 6 inch long Rudd out of a small pond in England and it was such a beautiful creature to see that I was instantly hooked myself. We never ate any of the fish we caught when I was a child in England, mostly because they were probably inedible no doubt, but I went fishing every chance I got. Now I am a dive Instructor and have my own dive shop, coincidence? I think not. I tell this little part of a story because I want some people to understand that there is definitely more to fishing than killing for meat for many millions of people around the world. Fishing is one of the most popular outdoors activities in the UK and almost all of those fishermen are exclusively practicing catch and release.
I went through a phase myself when I did kill and eat many fish, mostly in Canada but also in the USA and The Bahamas and I mostly regret that now.
For me the pleasure of paddling quietly along a lake at dawn to sneak up on a good fishing spot, trolling a lure as you go or humping a small aluminum boat through the shallows on a small river to spend a day on an inaccessible river fishing away the hours or even trolling along on a rough day on the ocean waiting for that big hit are all some of my most cherished memories and it has nothing to do with killing or eating fish. I don’t really even understand the lure of it (sic) myself.
Barbara, I don’t think you should necessarily take fishing tours off your site. I do think though that you should only be promoting catch and release operators. Yes they may still kill some fish, but the increased awareness of wildlife and the great outdoors that many fisherman gain from spending time in a new area could possibly be a powerful resource for assistance in the protection of that local environment. Almost all flats fishing operators that are pursuing Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit are for instance a pretty safe bet that they are releasing almost all that they catch. In many of the places where this kind of fishing is done it becomes a very significant part of the local economy and gives locals a vested interest in preserving the flats’ health. It also gives them some cash income that they can live from instead of what in many instances would be the only other alternative, commercial fishing. by contrast, very few Deep Sea charter operators however release anything other than billfish (Marlin and Sailfish) and some will kill even those, so if it matters to you, know who and what you are dealing with and support only catch and release fishing and in my opinion you will be promoting awareness of the importance of conservation that can have far reaching effects.
As Ron says, calling it ecotourism may not be correct but that is a label that is overused in any case.
All that aside, in my opinion, we all need to eat a lot less or no fish or else our rivers, lakes, seas and oceans are going to die, especially with modern commercial techniques.
As you may have guessed, I could go on like this for hours but then everyone would stop reading which would defeat the purpose.
Recommended reading on sustainable fishing:
The Unnatural History of the Sea by Callum Roberts also on the web

Comments any one?

]]> Comment on Hunting, Fishing and Ecotourism by Ron Mader http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/11/15/hunting-fishing-and-ecotourism/#comment-1663 Ron Mader Mon, 19 Nov 2007 01:35:47 +0000 http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/11/15/hunting-fishing-and-ecotourism/#comment-1663 There is often a great conservation ethic in hunting, but to call it ecotourism is a mistake. Kudos to ECOCLUB for hosting such a valuable exchange. There is often a great conservation ethic in hunting, but to call it ecotourism is a mistake. Kudos to ECOCLUB for hosting such a valuable exchange.

]]> Comment on Swim with the dolphins… No, thanks! by Kathy Harker http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/09/15/swim-with-the-dolphins-no-thanks/#comment-1244 Kathy Harker Sat, 10 Nov 2007 01:21:00 +0000 http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/09/15/swim-with-the-dolphins-no-thanks/#comment-1244 Hello, The message really needs to begin at home before the tourists leave on their vacations. I live in a small Ontario, Canada town and working at getting the message out to 'Letters to the Editor' across as many of the newspapers in small, medium towns and cities. If we all can even hit the small/mid size town paper forum it will be read by many, including the teachers at schools who can generate the interest among the kids. I think if kids were told the truth about these programs they would steer their parents away from them. Below is the letter I've been sending: Dear Editor, WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE ON CRUELTY TO ANIMALS? Now that the season for taking southern sun vacations and cruises is upon us, I would like to appeal to your readers to make an informed decision and choose not to patronize any ‘Swim with Dolphin’ attractions. This growing tourist business advertises to unknowing northern tourists by offering a ‘magical’ or ‘natural’ or ‘educational’ encounter. Studies have proven the 'Swim With Dolphin' trade is devastating to the dolphins. It’s unregulated, rips dolphins from their life-long families, and confines these intelligent animals in an unnatural and stressful environment. Cages that are misleadingly called ‘Lagoons’. If the dolphin is a Global Symbol of freedom and humanity’s connection to the oceans & environment then please compare the ethics of these tourist (and dolphin) traps to your own values and beliefs. Make a difference rather than make this magnificent animal provide you with entertainment! By drawing the line beyond our own backyard it’s a step closer to perhaps redrawing the line a little closer to home. For further info go to Google.com and search on: Is Swim With Dolphins Cruel? Thanks, Kathy Harker Hello,
The message really needs to begin at home before the tourists leave on their vacations. I live in a small Ontario, Canada town and working at getting the message out to ‘Letters to the Editor’ across as many of the newspapers in small, medium towns and cities. If we all can even hit the small/mid size town paper forum it will be read by many, including the teachers at schools who can generate the interest among the kids. I think if kids were told the truth about these programs they would steer their parents away from them. Below is the letter I’ve been sending:

Dear Editor,
WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE ON CRUELTY TO ANIMALS?
Now that the season for taking southern sun vacations and cruises is upon us, I would like to appeal to your readers to make an informed decision and choose not to patronize any ‘Swim with Dolphin’ attractions. This growing tourist business advertises to unknowing northern tourists by offering a ‘magical’ or ‘natural’ or ‘educational’ encounter. Studies have proven the ‘Swim With Dolphin’ trade is devastating to the dolphins. It’s unregulated, rips dolphins from their life-long families, and confines these intelligent animals in an unnatural and stressful environment. Cages that are misleadingly called ‘Lagoons’. If the dolphin is a Global Symbol of freedom and humanity’s connection to the oceans & environment then please compare the ethics of these tourist (and dolphin) traps to your own values and beliefs. Make a difference rather than make this magnificent animal provide you with entertainment! By drawing the line beyond our own backyard it’s a step closer to perhaps redrawing the line a little closer to home.
For further info go to Google.com and search on: Is Swim With Dolphins Cruel?

Thanks,
Kathy Harker

]]> Comment on First Days of gloCaltravelling… by david doran http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/09/15/first-days-of-glocaltravelling/#comment-1135 david doran Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:28:36 +0000 http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/09/15/first-days-of-glocaltravelling/#comment-1135 nice meeting you both at the winebar the website seems very well laid out and easy to use I will show it to my daughter who lives in SCDLC and ask forher feedback cheers david nice meeting you both at the winebar

the website seems very well laid out and easy to use

I will show it to my daughter who lives in SCDLC and ask forher feedback

cheers

david

]]> Comment on Tabasco floodings by lorena http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/11/03/tabasco-floodings/#comment-1105 lorena Sun, 04 Nov 2007 17:58:16 +0000 http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/11/03/tabasco-floodings/#comment-1105 WAYS TO HELP TABASCO FLOOD VICTIMS: From the United States you can make a donation through a deposit in the next banks: Wells Fargo Bank, name: “Ayuda Tabasco" number account: 599253401; BBV Bancomer USA from California, name: "Ayuda Tabasco 2007" with account number: 2280300127, same bank outside California with ABA number: 1-2222-05-06. Bank: BANAMEX, name: Fomento Social Banamex A.C. Swift: BNMXMXMM, account number: 002180010000001205 Or go to: http://www.opusa.org/ http://www.opusa.org/whoweare/pressreleases/tabascofloods.html https://donate.opusa.org:444/form.php Or go to: http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_mexico_1107&s_subsrc=RCO_ProfilePage_Link&s_src=F7ZWGR00 and choose MEXICO FLOODS Or go to: http://www.unicefusa.org/site/c.duLRI8O0H/b.25933/k.8DDD/US_Fund_for_UNICEF__US_Fund_for_UNICEF.htm to check more info: http://www.tabasco.gob.mx/ WAYS TO HELP TABASCO FLOOD VICTIMS:
From the United States you can make a donation through a deposit in the next banks:
Wells Fargo Bank, name: “Ayuda Tabasco” number account: 599253401;
BBV Bancomer USA from California, name: “Ayuda Tabasco 2007″ with account number: 2280300127, same bank outside California with ABA number: 1-2222-05-06.
Bank: BANAMEX, name: Fomento Social Banamex A.C. Swift: BNMXMXMM, account number: 002180010000001205

Or go to:

http://www.opusa.org/

http://www.opusa.org/whoweare/pressreleases/tabascofloods.html

https://donate.opusa.org:444/form.php
Or go to:
http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_mexico_1107&s_subsrc=RCO_ProfilePage_Link&s_src=F7ZWGR00
and choose MEXICO FLOODS
Or go to:
http://www.unicefusa.org/site/c.duLRI8O0H/b.25933/k.8DDD/US_Fund_for_UNICEF__US_Fund_for_UNICEF.htm

to check more info:
http://www.tabasco.gob.mx/

]]> Comment on Turtle centre on Isla Mujeres - Tortugranja by Tim http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/10/08/turtle-centre-on-isla-mujeres-tortugranja/#comment-1104 Tim Sun, 04 Nov 2007 17:21:49 +0000 http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/10/08/turtle-centre-on-isla-mujeres-tortugranja/#comment-1104 Me again and one more point I would like to make back up on my soapbox. Our reefs are being rapidly depleted of their fish and other animal populations by local fishermen. They are pretty good at what they do and find a ready market, mostly selling to restaurants. The problem is the nearly insatiable appetite that the majority of visitors and locals have for seafood creates a market for the fisherman to sell their wares. I don't blame the fishermen for trying to make a living. The problem lies in the demand and the blithe disregard of the general public for the massive depletion of the wild populations of the creatures in our seas. Barbara, you mention in your posting the great seafood on Isla Mujeres.... I hope my comments give you some 'food for thought'. Ref: A Sea Change by Sylvia Earle Ref: The Unnatural History of the Sea by Callum Roberts These books would give any reader more than a little food for thought ps I read A Sea Change about 8 years ago and almost completely stopped eating seafood although I love it!! Act out your beliefs and speak out against what you consider wrong. It's your responsibility. Me again and one more point I would like to make back up on my soapbox.
Our reefs are being rapidly depleted of their fish and other animal populations by local fishermen. They are pretty good at what they do and find a ready market, mostly selling to restaurants. The problem is the nearly insatiable appetite that the majority of visitors and locals have for seafood creates a market for the fisherman to sell their wares.
I don’t blame the fishermen for trying to make a living. The problem lies in the demand and the blithe disregard of the general public for the massive depletion of the wild populations of the creatures in our seas.
Barbara, you mention in your posting the great seafood on Isla Mujeres…. I hope my comments give you some ‘food for thought’.
Ref: A Sea Change by Sylvia Earle
Ref: The Unnatural History of the Sea by Callum Roberts
These books would give any reader more than a little food for thought
ps I read A Sea Change about 8 years ago and almost completely stopped eating seafood although I love it!!
Act out your beliefs and speak out against what you consider wrong. It’s your responsibility.

]]> Comment on Turtle centre on Isla Mujeres - Tortugranja by Tim http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/10/08/turtle-centre-on-isla-mujeres-tortugranja/#comment-1103 Tim Sun, 04 Nov 2007 17:08:07 +0000 http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/10/08/turtle-centre-on-isla-mujeres-tortugranja/#comment-1103 Hi, it's me again climbing up on my soapbox. Ok, so they have a turtle centre. I have not been to see it and would like to but in any case.... Check out the centre at Xcacel. They patrol Xcacel and Xcacelito beaches every night for half the year through the whole nesting season. They mark and monitor all nests and recover the eggs from any that are at risk for one reason or another. The recovered ones are released to the sea at night once they hatch. They monitor well over a thousand nests every year. T our shop on the beach and at Dreams Tulum we have basically the same program in place for the beaches of Tankah Tres all the way from Punta Cadena to the ruins. Last year we had over 800 nests that we monitored and we put about 100 into a corral for safekeeping and released them all at night as they hatched. I am not sure if it is necessary or desirable to put the turtles in a pen in order to have them breed and lay eggs and then raise them essentially by hand. These turtles may not have the instincts they need to survive in the open ocean and there is some merit to the wild ways of natural selection to ensure that the fittest survive. I think that the program is essentially for the benefit of the tourists and is designed as such. There may be some merit to this as public awareness is very important to all conservation issues. Tourism in all it's forms is also vital to the local economy so the enjoyment of the tourist, or travelers if you prefer is pretty important too. Comments welcome, Tim Hi, it’s me again climbing up on my soapbox.
Ok, so they have a turtle centre. I have not been to see it and would like to but in any case….
Check out the centre at Xcacel. They patrol Xcacel and Xcacelito beaches every night for half the year through the whole nesting season. They mark and monitor all nests and recover the eggs from any that are at risk for one reason or another. The recovered ones are released to the sea at night once they hatch. They monitor well over a thousand nests every year.
T our shop on the beach and at Dreams Tulum we have basically the same program in place for the beaches of Tankah Tres all the way from Punta Cadena to the ruins. Last year we had over 800 nests that we monitored and we put about 100 into a corral for safekeeping and released them all at night as they hatched.
I am not sure if it is necessary or desirable to put the turtles in a pen in order to have them breed and lay eggs and then raise them essentially by hand. These turtles may not have the instincts they need to survive in the open ocean and there is some merit to the wild ways of natural selection to ensure that the fittest survive.
I think that the program is essentially for the benefit of the tourists and is designed as such. There may be some merit to this as public awareness is very important to all conservation issues. Tourism in all it’s forms is also vital to the local economy so the enjoyment of the tourist, or travelers if you prefer is pretty important too.
Comments welcome,
Tim

]]> Comment on The VERY negative impact of tourism on the world by Tim Day http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/07/31/the-very-negative-impact-of-tourism-on-the-world/#comment-1036 Tim Day Thu, 01 Nov 2007 07:58:57 +0000 http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/07/31/the-very-negative-impact-of-tourism-on-the-world/#comment-1036 I haven't read Pamela's book, probably won't either judging from the rhetoric in her posting. Not much middle ground or room for common sense there from the sounds of it. Excellent self control on your part Barbara. I suspect Pamela has never actually lived in a place that is thriving or maybe subsisting even on tourism. Probably lives pretty comfortably too I bet compared to the people that are at least eating meat and vegetables instead of only tortillas and beans like they did for generations in most of this region i.e. Mexico and Latin America. I, along with millions of other capitalists, live from the ill gotten proceeds of tourism. Like many, granted all too few, I try to make a difference in whatever way I can, like supporting turtle hatching programs, speaking out against overfishing etc. There are many ways to change the world but an open mind is perhaps the most powerful instrument of change and the hardest thing to find. Told you Barbara, I have a hard time biting my tongue and it's bleeding right now. I haven’t read Pamela’s book, probably won’t either judging from the rhetoric in her posting. Not much middle ground or room for common sense there from the sounds of it.
Excellent self control on your part Barbara.
I suspect Pamela has never actually lived in a place that is thriving or maybe subsisting even on tourism. Probably lives pretty comfortably too I bet compared to the people that are at least eating meat and vegetables instead of only tortillas and beans like they did for generations in most of this region i.e. Mexico and Latin America. I, along with millions of other capitalists, live from the ill gotten proceeds of tourism. Like many, granted all too few, I try to make a difference in whatever way I can, like supporting turtle hatching programs, speaking out against overfishing etc.
There are many ways to change the world but an open mind is perhaps the most powerful instrument of change and the hardest thing to find.
Told you Barbara, I have a hard time biting my tongue and it’s bleeding right now.

]]> Comment on Chiapas Ecotourism by Barbara Soldi http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/05/01/chiapas-ecotourism/#comment-975 Barbara Soldi Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:43:02 +0000 http://www.blog.glocaltravel.net/2007/05/02/chiapas-ecotourism/#comment-975 Hello again Tim, This is the link to the <a href="http://www.sendasur.com/" rel="nofollow"> Sendasur website </a> Unfortunately it is not updated regularly in terms of tour calendar and options. Sendasur works mainly as a walk-in agency for travellers passing through San Cristobal who want to join a tour last-minute. But this is where gloCaltravel play its role: we work directly with the operators associated with Sendasur and help them to form small groups and set departure dates for their tours AT THE SAME PRICE, as we do not mark up rates. You can check our <a href="http://www.glocaltravel.net/tours/tabasco-and-chiapas/35/" rel="nofollow"> Chiapas tour page </a>. While travelling through Mexico I have missed opportunities to join fantastic tours only because I could not reserve a place last-minute and I did not know about it before arriving to destination. That is why I have started this business, to inform people about interesting alternative options they can book in advance, helping these eco-tour operators in filling their tours. I do not think there is a similar association in Quintana Roo (not that I am aware of), but if I find one I will let you know Hello again Tim,
This is the link to the Sendasur website
Unfortunately it is not updated regularly in terms of tour calendar and options.
Sendasur works mainly as a walk-in agency for travellers passing through San Cristobal who want to join a tour last-minute.
But this is where gloCaltravel play its role: we work directly with the operators associated with Sendasur and help them to form small groups and set departure dates for their tours AT THE SAME PRICE, as we do not mark up rates.
You can check our Chiapas tour page .
While travelling through Mexico I have missed opportunities to join fantastic tours only because I could not reserve a place last-minute and I did not know about it before arriving to destination.
That is why I have started this business, to inform people about interesting alternative options they can book in advance, helping these eco-tour operators in filling their tours.
I do not think there is a similar association in Quintana Roo (not that I am aware of), but if I find one I will let you know

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