G4T #50: Ben Ayers - Insights on Social Change in Nepal's Khumbu

This is a Geography for Travelers Podcast related post (click on the title above to download the .mp3 file)

This month's podcast is one of the interviews from our recent trip to Nepal. We administered the interview to Ben Ayers, the founder of Porter's Progress, an NGO devoted to supporting the porter who carry heavy loads on their backs up the Khumbu Valley of Nepal. Today he works for the dZi Foundation, a community development NGO that works throughout the Himalaya region.

In this podcast, Ben discusses how the Khumbu has been modernized and transformed in recent years, and the challenges that this presents to Sherpa culture and society today.

Please support these worthwhile organizations...

• Porter's Progress
• dZi Foundation

Travelography #63: Bill of Rights for US Airline Passengers + Lost Luggage $$

(click on the title above to go to the PCN TRAVELOGRAPHY web page)

US Airline News: Recent incidents of 6 to 10 hour waits on airport tarmacs have prompted the US Congress to consider an Air Passenger Bill of Rights. In the meantime, Jet Blue, whose passengers suffered the most a couple of weeks ago, has announced its own Passenger Rights policy. And you can now claim up to $3000 for lost luggage in the US, if you can get past airline road blocks.

PCNTravel on Del.icio.us

Petition for an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights - TheTravelInsider.com

JetBlue woes spur call for fliers' bill of rights

'Bill of rights' for fliers questioned

JetBlue tries to make up with fliers

Airlines' actions put spotlight on passenger rights

Payment goes up for luggage lost by airlines

Travelography #62: Israel and the US Tourism Challenges, + Green Silverjets

(click on the title above to go to the PCN TRAVELOGRAPHY web page)

Despite last year's record number of tourists arrivals (reporteded last week on Travelography), Israel and the US have been struggling to increase their international tourist arrivals. The Travel Industry Association [of America] has proposed a three phase plan to the US Congresss to grow international travel to the US. And the new airline Silverjet goes green with carbon offsets.

Israeli tourism industry hampered by war-influenced drop in arrivals

TIA Touts New Long-Range Plan to Reverse Decline in Travel to U.S.

Travel industry proposes 'trusted traveler' plan for foreign visitors

Silverjet, World's First Carbon Neutral Airline to Take Inaugural Flight

Travelography #61: A Record 842 Million International Trips Taken Last Year

(click on the title above to go to the PCN TRAVELOGRAPHY web page)

The World Tourism Organization's 2006 preliminary numbers show a record 842 million international trips were taken in 2006, up 4.5% from 2005. Africa saw the highest percent growth, while North America grew the least. Tourism in any Asian countries is growing fast, which China being pegged to surpass Spain by 2010 to be the second most visited country in the world, after France. And ASEAN countries hope to promote more intra-regional travel.

Another Record Year for World Tourism

Asia’s Travel Industry Charges into 2007

Record Year for Singapore as Tourism Exceeds 2006 Targets

Asean Tourism Forum Opens

Open Skies, Single-Visa Regime Key To ASEAN

World tourism sets record in 2006, U.N. agency says

UNWTO: China set to surpass Spain by 2010

Vietnam tourism industry keen on achieving a new record in 2007

Korea targets 10 million inbound visitors by 2010

Travelography #60: Budget Long Haul on AirAsia X, and Nepal's Slow Recovery

(click on the title above to go to the PCN TRAVELOGRAPHY web page)

I am back from my trip with two travel new stories. Nepal's tourist arrivals for December 2006 were dissapointing. Malaysia's AirAsia X will be the first long haul budget airline in Southeast Asia when it starts flying in this summer.

Nepal tourist arrivals rise in November on peace hopes

Tourist arrival posts marginal growth in December 2006

AirAsia aims to X long-haul rivals

AirAsia X London flights from RM9.99 (US$3)