The Adventure Travel World Summit

ATTA and Partners Commit 2007 Adventure Travel World Summit to Carbon Neutrality – 2^nd Year Running

Executive Conference Offsets 100 Percent of Event and Attendee Carbon Emissions

Boulder, CO (AUGUST 22, 2007) - Sustainable Travel International (STI) announced today that it assisted the Adventure Travel Trade Association's (ATTA) 2007 Adventure Travel World Summit slated for October 4-7, 2007, in becoming carbon neutral once again.

"One of the most pressing questions about carbon neutrality is, ‘What specifically is being offset?’" explains Brian T. Mullis, President of STI. "For the last two years, the ATTA has proactively pursued total carbon dioxide emissions offsetting associated with its annual Adventure Travel World Summit. Specifically, the ATTA this year plans to offset 500-600 delegates' travel to and from Whistler, their hotel stays, electricity consumption associated with the event facility, and waste generation associated with the event.”

National Geographic Adventure magazine, Virtuoso, a leading global luxury travel network, and VAST! (Virtuoso's Active & Specialty Travel partners) are taking a leadership role for the second year in a row, in partnership with the ATTA, by sponsoring offsets of all carbon emissions produced during the event. Offsets will fund renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the U.S. and Canada, as well as projects in Central America, Asia and Africa through STI's partners Bonneville Environmental Foundation and MyClimate.

“Consuming things without paying for them creates market distortions that are unsustainable,” said National Geographic Adventure Publisher Francis Farrell. “The ATTA’s decision to offset the carbon impact of its Summit allows us to pay for a natural resource – fresh air - that we have unwittingly been littering. When we buy offsets, we are not just buying an indulgence for carbon dioxide we are responsible for, we are creating a market for the new ideas and new technologies that we need now to preserve our wondrous home.”

"We are grateful for the leadership role Virtuoso’s VAST (Virtuoso’s Active & Specialty Travel), both member agents and suppliers, STI, ATTA, and National Geographic Adventure have taken in bringing sustainability to the forefront of our industry. The heart of travel has always been a keen appreciation of the world’s people and environment - taking concrete action in this regard is the right thing to do," says Virtuoso’s Director of Sustainability, Jessica Hall Upchurch. "It is our intention at Virtuoso to broaden this initiative for the entire global network and to help bring a greater awareness to this vital issue."

The ATTA, which hosts the annual event, selected STI for offsetting this year's Summit – for the second year – because of its rigorous independent auditing process, consistent track record in selecting the 'best of the best' offset partners, and its leadership role in addressing sustainable development within the tourism industry. In addition to offsetting the emissions associated with the event, the trade association is focused on reducing waste and improving energy efficiency associated with the event as well as actively encouraging its members to integrate carbon offset programs into their operations and commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Sharing voluntary carbon offsets within our trade industry and among travelers is a solid, productive approach to sustainability," said ATTA Director Chris Doyle. "Industry innovators like STI, Virtuoso, VAST, and National Geographic Adventure, which step up to contribute to such initiatives, are often helping to increase momentum for a shared vision that can lead to far greater positive impact and long-term results.”

###

About Sustainable Travel International (STI)
Sustainable Travel International (www.sustainabletravelinternational.org) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote sustainable development and responsible travel by providing programs that enable consumers, businesses and travel-related organizations to contribute to the environmental, socio-cultural and economic values of the places they visit, and the planet at large.

About the Adventure Travel Trade Association
The Seattle-based Adventure Travel Trade Association (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a strategic membership organization dedicated to raising the profile of adventure travel globally. Established in 1990, the ATTA provides services, knowledge, and connections that help its members succeed in their businesses and contribute to responsible industry growth. The ATTA also is host the annual Adventure Travel World Summit (www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com).

About National Geographic Adventure
Published by the National Geographic Society, Adventure is a magazine for active, imaginative people who like to try new outdoor pursuits and want to travel to wild corners of the planet. Adventure inspires readers through profiles of remarkable explorers, past and present; travel narratives to amazing destinations; stories of exhilarating excursions closer to home; and accounts of ambitious expeditions. Through adventure-guide sidebars, how-to primers, and detailed maps, the magazine provides the tools readers need to set out on trips of their own.

About Virtuoso
Virtuoso is an exclusive network comprising more than 6,000 elite travel consultants, associated with 309 agencies in 22 countries throughout North America, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Australia and New Zealand. With annual sales of $3.8 billion, Virtuoso's member agencies make the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the world's best travel companies provide the network's affluent clientele with incredible values, rare experiences and privileged access. For more information, please visit www.virtuoso.com.

About VAST
VAST! Virtuoso Active & Specialty Travel, is a collection of 26 smaller, unique & active companies within Virtuoso. These companies have joined forces to focus attention on agent education, create a greater awareness of products within the Virtuoso network and collaborate on joint marketing efforts. By collaborating, the VAST partners are able to affordably participate in major marketing initiatives that would be difficult to do on their own, thereby creating awareness amongst the Virtuoso agent community of the many upscale, off the beaten path travel options available to the consumer today.

Media Contacts

For Sustainable Travel International
Brian T. Mullis, President
720.273.2975 brianm@sustainabletravel.com

For the Adventure Travel Trade Association
Chris Doyle, Director
916.847.0261 cdoyle@adventuretravel.biz


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ATTA and Partners Commit 2007 Adventure Travel World Summit to Carbon Neutrality – 2^nd Year Running Executive Conference Offsets 100 Percent of Event and Attendee Carbon Emissions Boulder, CO (AUGUST 22, 2007) - Sustainable Travel International (STI) announced today that it assisted the Adventure Travel Trade Association's (ATTA) 2007 Adventure Travel World Summit slated for October 4-7, 2007, in becoming carbon neutral once again. "One of the most pressing questions about carbon neutrality is, ‘What specifically is being offset?’" explains Brian T. Mullis, President of STI. "For the last two years, the ATTA has proactively pursued total carbon dioxide emissions offsetting associated with its annual Adventure Travel World Summit. Specifically, the ATTA this year plans to offset 500-600 delegates' travel to and from Whistler, their hotel stays, electricity consumption associated with the event facility, and waste generation associated with the event.” National Geographic Adventure magazine, Virtuoso, a leading global luxury travel network, and VAST! (Virtuoso's Active & Specialty Travel partners) are taking a leadership role for the second year in a row, in partnership with the ATTA, by sponsoring offsets of all carbon emissions produced during the event. Offsets will fund renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the U.S. and Canada, as well as projects in Central America, Asia and Africa through STI's partners Bonneville Environmental Foundation and MyClimate. “Consuming things without paying for them creates market distortions that are unsustainable,” said National Geographic Adventure Publisher Francis Farrell. “The ATTA’s decision to offset the carbon impact of its Summit allows us to pay for a natural resource – fresh air - that we have unwittingly been littering. When we buy offsets, we are not just buying an indulgence for carbon dioxide we are responsible for, we are creating a market for the new ideas and new technologies that we need now to preserve our wondrous home.” "We are grateful for the leadership role Virtuoso’s VAST (Virtuoso’s Active & Specialty Travel), both member agents and suppliers, STI, ATTA, and National Geographic Adventure have taken in bringing sustainability to the forefront of our industry. The heart of travel has always been a keen appreciation of the world’s people and environment - taking concrete action in this regard is the right thing to do," says Virtuoso’s Director of Sustainability, Jessica Hall Upchurch. "It is our intention at Virtuoso to broaden this initiative for the entire global network and to help bring a greater awareness to this vital issue." The ATTA, which hosts the annual event, selected STI for offsetting this year's Summit – for the second year – because of its rigorous independent auditing process, consistent track record in selecting the 'best of the best' offset partners, and its leadership role in addressing sustainable development within the tourism industry. In addition to offsetting the emissions associated with the event, the trade association is focused on reducing waste and improving energy efficiency associated with the event as well as actively encouraging its members to integrate carbon offset programs into their operations and commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “Sharing voluntary carbon offsets within our trade industry and among travelers is a solid, productive approach to sustainability," said ATTA Director Chris Doyle. "Industry innovators like STI, Virtuoso, VAST, and National Geographic Adventure, which step up to contribute to such initiatives, are often helping to increase momentum for a shared vision that can lead to far greater positive impact and long-term results.” ### About Sustainable Travel International (STI) Sustainable Travel International (www.sustainabletravelinternational.org) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote sustainable development and responsible travel by providing programs that enable consumers, businesses and travel-related organizations to contribute to the environmental, socio-cultural and economic values of the places they visit, and the planet at large. About the Adventure Travel Trade Association The Seattle-based Adventure Travel Trade Association (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a strategic membership organization dedicated to raising the profile of adventure travel globally. Established in 1990, the ATTA provides services, knowledge, and connections that help its members succeed in their businesses and contribute to responsible industry growth. The ATTA also is host the annual Adventure Travel World Summit (www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com). About National Geographic Adventure Published by the National Geographic Society, Adventure is a magazine for active, imaginative people who like to try new outdoor pursuits and want to travel to wild corners of the planet. Adventure inspires readers through profiles of remarkable explorers, past and present; travel narratives to amazing destinations; stories of exhilarating excursions closer to home; and accounts of ambitious expeditions. Through adventure-guide sidebars, how-to primers, and detailed maps, the magazine provides the tools readers need to set out on trips of their own. About Virtuoso Virtuoso is an exclusive network comprising more than 6,000 elite travel consultants, associated with 309 agencies in 22 countries throughout North America, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Australia and New Zealand. With annual sales of $3.8 billion, Virtuoso's member agencies make the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the world's best travel companies provide the network's affluent clientele with incredible values, rare experiences and privileged access. For more information, please visit www.virtuoso.com. About VAST VAST! Virtuoso Active & Specialty Travel, is a collection of 26 smaller, unique & active companies within Virtuoso. These companies have joined forces to focus attention on agent education, create a greater awareness of products within the Virtuoso network and collaborate on joint marketing efforts. By collaborating, the VAST partners are able to affordably participate in major marketing initiatives that would be difficult to do on their own, thereby creating awareness amongst the Virtuoso agent community of the many upscale, off the beaten path travel options available to the consumer today. Media Contacts For Sustainable Travel International Brian T. Mullis, President 720.273.2975 brianm@sustainabletravel.com For the Adventure Travel Trade Association Chris Doyle, Director 916.847.0261 cdoyle@adventuretravel.biz