Antarctica, South Georgia, The Falkland's E *P |ore the P |anet s last w,ld 



places from a 100-passenger 



expedition ship and discover 



dazzling icescapes: By Zodiac, 



helicopter, and onshore hikes, >> 



witness vast colonies of 



I penguins, seals, and whales — 

 I 



- our expert naturalists and 

 I historians guide you along 

 the way. 



a comprehensive set of eighty-eight 

 criteria for sustainability. They aim, in 

 general, at reducing waste, water use, 

 and energy use; protecting the envi- 

 ronment; and providing education and 

 economic benefits to local communi- 

 ties. The acceptance of those criteria 

 across the wide STCNA network will 

 be an enormous help to travelers in 

 evaluating hotels, lodges, and other 

 businesses. The network is also estab- 

 lishing an ad hoc committee with rep- 

 resentatives from other regions around 

 the globe to standardize the criteria; it 

 is working with ECOTRANS to es- 

 tablish an international comparison of 

 certification requirements that extends 

 beyond the Americas. Those partner- 

 ships and networks will enable small 

 hotels such as Peynado's to be noticed 

 and marketed in a large forum. 



It has become patently clear that sus- 

 tainable tourism is a viable and 

 promising conservation tool. But it re- 

 mains challenging to provide the res- 

 idents of the world's most remote, 

 fragile, and biodiverse ecosystems 

 with the incentive to invest in the 

 long-term vision of sustainable devel- 

 opment — as opposed to the short- 

 term gains of business as usual. Even 

 if eco-establishments have the best in- 

 tentions, it is by no means straightfor- 

 ward to provide them with the tools, 

 know-how, and capital to accomplish 

 what they need to maintain a sustain- 

 able ecosystem. 



Yet if Peynado's neighbors and his 

 neighbors' neighbors come to realize 

 the inherent wisdom of sustainable 

 tourism — and more, convey that wis- 

 dom to their guests — the benefits 

 promised by sustainable development 

 remain very much within reach. As 

 Peynado puts it, "One of our main as- 

 sets here is the environment. If that 

 goes, your business goes. So if you can 

 do anything to protect it, you know 

 you'll still be in business." 



Carol Goodstein is the senior writer and 

 editor for the Rainforest Alliance. She works to 

 educate consumers on how their purchases can 

 affect lives and lands of people around the world. 



ZEGRAHM & ECO EXPEDITIONS 



For reservations 

 and brochures: 



(800) 628-8747 

 www.zeco.com 



What do whale watching 

 and watercolor painting 

 have in common? 



Norwegian Coastal 

 Voyage's new 

 Winter Cruises. 



NCV's new Winter Voyages offer a host of richly 

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 and age-old traditions of Norway in winter. 



There are voyages that feature painting and 

 photography lessons, sailings that take you on a 

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 Norway and celebrate Christmas Norwegian style. 



Air-inclusive prices start at less than $1,999. 

 Call 1-800-205-3005 for a brochure, 

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Prices ure per person, double occupancy, based on 

 inside cabin, and include port raxes and gntttlitit 



yage 



