CORPORATE SOCIALCORPORATE SOCIALRESPONSIBILITY ANDRESPONSIBILITY AND

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM:SUSTAINABLE TOURISM:

BUILDING STANDARDS AND ETHICSFOR TOUR GUIDE TRAININGS

Hilda Morales, AdvenTours, Inc. PRHilda Morales, AdvenTours, Inc. PRBeyond the Beach Beyond the Beach –– Birds and Tourism Birds and Tourism

for Sustainable Islandsfor Sustainable IslandsAntigua Antigua –– July 15, 2009 July 15, 2009

Thank you for yourinvitation to shareour experiences

during our 17 yearsin business.

AdvenTours is theonly full licensedtour operator in

Puerto Ricospecialized in

wildlife observationon a daily basis.

Hilda Morales, OwnerCertified Tour Guide

Tourism inPuerto Rico

Sun and beach destination

Cultural Heritage

1970

1990´s2002

2004

Tourism Board is born

Specialized Market

Touristic Transportation Law

Tour Guide Law (derrogated)

Sustainable Tourism Law

New Tour Guide Law (specializations)Tour Guide Council

20082006

Whoare

we?

Founded in 1992

Fully licensed company

Main office in Mayagüez

Second office in Luquillo

Private trips

Nature, adventure & culturaltours

Green Globe Ecotourism &Company StandardsCertifications

Few certified tour operators and “guides”

Puerto Rico was not known as a birding destination

Half day birding trips or less

Non-local tour operators and club members acting as guides.

Legislation (transportation, business, guides, sustainable tourism)

Explore Beyond the Shore campaign (2005 – 2008)

Only company specializing in birding 24/7/365Half & full day up to one week tripsLocal residents & best practicesEndemics & Caribbean specialties

SUSTAINABLE APPROACH

Non-local tour operators and club members acting as guides.

QUÉ PASAwww.adventourspr.com

(2005 – 2008)

AUDIENCE

RESOURCE

GUIDES

TRENDSAUDIENCEBeginnersocassional birders, clubs, eco-sensitive travelers

Medium & Experiencedserious birding on a private basis, professionals,worldwide tralevers with more than 10 yearsbirding

Nature operators or clubsone-time-shot to explore and gain knowlege ofsites, return on their own without a responsibletourism approach

Solo travelerslow-budget or explorers birding on their ownfollowing the suggestions of others travelers(Internet), some of them join the CBC´s.

17 – 18 endemic bird speciesdepending on the taxonomy division

Photo Leopoldo Miranda

Photo Rafael Rodríguez

34 Hotspots of Biodiversity (Caribbean –Puerto Rico)

BirdLife´s Endemic Bird Area (EBA 029-Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands)

Important Bird Areas Program

West Indian Whistling Duck Program

Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival

Nominated New Seven NaturalWonders of the WorldEl Yunque National Forest

1 – Birder Guide (certified)

1992 20091 – Birder Guide (certified)

3 – Birder Guide Assistants on call1 – One Birder Guide on training

On call (local residents)

1 – Caving Guide/Leader (certified)1 – One Naturalist Guide (certified)1 – One Outdoor Adventure Guide (certified)3 – Three Cultural Guides (certified)

Partners in 5 geographical regionsTransportation, adventures, Guides

GUIDES

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

1. ADVENTOURS operates tourism that fosters understanding,appreciation and conservation of the culture and environments ofour country.

2. We operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.

3. Our efforts are focused in the direct economic benefits that thecommunity will have and the contribution to environmental andcultural conservation awareness.

4. We aim to operate beyond best practice guidelines and will bemonitoring our operations continuously.

MISSION STATEMENT

Local IniciativesLocal Iniciatives

Corporate SocialResponsabilityProgram

95% Obtained the Certification 97% Written test100% Oral test

• Fishing• Bird Watching• Transportation• Cultural Tours• Cave Exploration

Conservation through birdingConservation through birding

• Endemic Bird of Puerto Rico Festival

• Maricao Xmas Bird Count

• APIE is born

• Interpretation Workshops• Tourism Educators Committee

• World Federation of Tour Guides Association• Certification Museum Guides (Caguas Municipality)• Certification Interpretive Guides (Vieques Island)• International Tourist Guide Day• National Trails Day

• 26 Certified Interpretive Tour Guides• Six new tour companies• Ecological Walks• Cultural Tours• Museum Guides• Nature Guides

iniciativa para un turismo sostenible en la isla de vieques

r e s u l t s

86% took the test (12) 95% approved the test (10.5)

Playera ToursTour Guide ServiceVieques Xmas Bird Count

• 1st Tour Guides of Puerto Rico National Congress• Sustainable Tourism Best Practices Manual

Based on Vieques Model

• Interpretive Guide Certification (Mayagüez Municipality)• 700 contact hours• Over 58% on field trips

• 2nd Tour Guides of Puerto Rico National Congress• Outdoor Recreation Manual

• Outdoor Adventure Kayak Guide• Outdoor Nature Guide

Heritage Interpretation Certificationfor Outdoor Adventure Kayak Guides

Company Standards Certification

ABC Method• Occupational Standards• Code of Ethics• Best Practices Guidelines• Specializations

TRENDS

We invite all birdingoperators based inthe CaribbeanArchipielago to worktogether as one andcreate a networkamongst us.

Thank you for yourattention during thispresentation andGod bless you all.