Tourism Cares announces 2012-13 Global Outreach -- World Heritage Sites & Communities

USA Tourism Industry's First Inaugural Leadership Event --
Machu Picchu, Peru

by Robin Tauck, Vice Chair, Global Outreach Board Committee

As a leading member of a two-year committee of Tourism Cares' board to create a long term sustainable model for public/private partnerships in international protection of World Heritage sites and communities with the USA Travel & Tourism industry, I am proud to announce from our GO Committee of 15 travel professionals, that the first GO PERU 2012-13 Tourism Cares' travel leadership initiative will take place from May3-7, 2012 in Cusco, Peru. Some 60 travel supporters will be ambassadors and sponsors of this exciting event.

The Tourism Cares Global Outreach Initiative will bring together American and foreign travel industry executives with common goals to plan future protective measures, create positive partnerships, share values, expertise, talents and skills and to launch new sustainability and conservation plans for the world's key treasured sites and their local communities, those most dependent on tourism for their economic and socio-cultural development and their heritage values. Each year a new country and new site will be selected for a joint kick-off Event and multi-year effort with the US travel industry.

GO Peru 2012-13 is a new, two-year collaborative program between many USA and Peruvian travel and tourism companies and leaders who are investing their expertise, time and substantial financial contributions to create an adaptive model of Tourism Cares; a 501c3 non-profit organization, created in 1998, whose mission is to preserve the travel experience for future generations. Following the May 2012 event, a key goals is to instill within the Peruvian Travel Industry a "Turismo Cuido a Peru" model for their future, creating long-lasting protective volunteer programs, educational forums and financial grants among their national industry to continually protect their heritage sites.

GO PERU 2012 - Machu Picchu, Cusco & the Sacred Valley - Travel Industry Give-Back Event

• Leaders from key membership of USTOA, NTA, ASTA, SYTA & Tourism Cares
• 5-Day Leadership Event, May 3-7, 2012
• Co-sponsored by Peru & USA - 3 levels of Leadership Sponsors
• Major Educational Forum (May 4) - Industry Leaders, Universities, Government officials
• Volunteer Event - Cusco Mercado & signage along the Inca Trail
• Best Practices in Sustainability & Operations
• 2012-13 Peru Grants and Scholarships - over $100,000 over two years

11 World Heritage Sites: New Discoveries, Growth & Sustainable Tourism Efforts

Peru is an extraordinary country! UNESCO World Heritage has inscribed 11 World Heritage Sites for "outstanding universal value" with dozens more on the tentative list. An incredible wealth of natural and cultural treasures rank Peru as one of the most exciting and transformational travel destinations. Many sites date from the Pre-Incan period and numerous new discoveries are just opening to tourism. Over 40 operators of the United States Tour Operators Association include Peru in their offerings. The #1 visited World Heritage Site is the archaeological wonder of Machu Picchu (inscribed 1983), considered a Top 10 visited site in the world. Machu Picchu, celebrating its 100th Anniversary of rediscovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham of Yale; is currently facing serious carrying capacity issues of over 2500 visitors a day; an opportunity for the global travel industry to study, engage and assist in safeguarding while educating the industry on the expanding alternatives amongst dozens of exciting heritage sites within Peru.

Brief Travel Statistics in Peru:

Peru's tourism economy in 2011-12 is rapidly changing and growing -- welcoming 1.7 million visitors annually with a sharp positive rebound from the 2010 devastating flooding and 2009 economic crisis. The country is a great value, inviting travelers from all over the globe. From 2001-2008 Peru had strong growth averaging 6.8% and in 2008, the GDP reached 9.8% from free market liberalization, trade promotion and foreign direct investment. Travel is now a primary, key industry along with mining/extraction and seafood. Our thanks to Peru for being the first GO - tourism program in 2012.

Global Outreach (GO) Committee Members: The global outreach program was designed and approved by Tourism Cares Board of Directors 2010-11, with thanks to committee members: Dr. Don Hawkins (Chair), Robin Tauck (Vice Chair), Bruce Beckham (Executive Director), Tanya Segura (Secretary), Carlos Arrarte (President, Lima Tours), Brad Finkle (Board), Cathleen Johnson (Board), Terry Dale (Board), Stephen Morris (NPS), Greg Takehara, Dr. Wanda George, Steven Richer, Scott Whitley, Jean Charles Odele, Diana Ditto, Isabelle Hill (US Dept of Commerce), Kristen Lamoureaux, Jon Paul Bowles, Dr. Martha Honey, David Santulli; along with staff members of Tourism Cares (www.tourismcares.org).

For further information on RTP Sustainable Tourism Programs globally, (click here) or contact office@robintauck.com or phone 203-227-0677