Travelers on an Endangered Species Quest

Photo Credit: Suzhou Zoo; Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei)

Bullet proof glass, surveillance camera and armed guards? China has a reputation of guarding its Panda bears, but how about protecting another almost-extinct species? Known as “China Girl”, the last female Yangtze giant soft-shelled turtle resides in the Suzhou Zoo in China. Initially “China Girl” had called the Changsha Zoo home.

There are just four of these turtle species known - three males and one female - and China recently attempted to breed the turtle to protect its survival, but its attempt was met with failure. Unfortunately, “pollution and hunting almost erased the Yangtze turtles,” as reported in an Associated Press article. Of the four, one of the males is still in its wild habitat.

“This is a story of hope for a species truly on the brink,” said Colin Poole the director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Asia Programs.

Travelers venture to China to see its infamous Pandas and China is attempting to preserve other animals as well for the delight of tourists. According to the Associated Press, about 50 percent of China’s mammal species are endangered.

Listed at the top of the World Conservation Union’s Red List, the Yangtze giant softshell turtle is the most critically endangered turtle in the world, according to a Turtle Survival Alliance release.

The Chinese, nor are other animal advocates, giving up as there are plans to re-attempt the species-saving breeding next year.

Photo Credit: Suzhou Zoo; South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis)

The Suzhou Zoo is also home to the world’s largest South China Tiger breed of eight males and six females. South China Tiger tops the list of the world’s ten most endangered fauna species, with only 47 found throughout the world but can hardly be seen in the wilderness.

Opened to the public in 1954, the Suzhou Zoo’s purpose was to display various rare wild animals, and communicate and popularize science and knowledge about the wild life, according to the Zoo’s Web site.  At the same time, the Zoo also aims at protecting the relocated wild animals which are at the verge of extinction. The Suzhou Zoo has gradually renovated the original cages in an eco-friendly way, and visitors may further understand how to build a harmony among human beings, wild animals and the natural environment when they appreciate these animals. Currently, it contains over 500 animals in around 80 species.

Per the zoo’s Web site, as described in historical files, the current location of Suzhou Zoo was once a temple in Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and then the funeral home in construction of zoo with the history dating back to around 1162A.D.  The turtle pond in the Zoo is the heritage from the Free Capture Pond at the Temple in Southern Song Dynasty (with one soft-shell turtle, while only three are alive in Suzhou including “China Girl”).

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Photo Credit: Starwood

In tough economic times, people are still traveling, but they are paying close attention to budgets and when makes the most sense to enjoy some time away. However, as reported today, AIG went on a major boondoggle to a luxury resort (St. Regis Resort at Dana Point in Monarch Beach, California) after being bailed out by U.S. tax payers, aka the U.S. government. So, is AIG exempt from tightening its belt and doing what is right? They had no problem asking for and receiving tax payers’ monies.

Not sure how a company who just received $85 billion in a bailout package could possibly justify or even reason that a week-long stay at the swanky St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, complete with above average room views including the resort’s Presidential Suite (which was discounted from its every day rate of $3,200 a night to a bargain price of $1,600 per night as stated in an article by The Washington Post).  

It is reported that AIG company executives attended a conference from September 22^nd through September 30^th and nothing was spared for this retreat. In fact, $23,000 was spent for spa treatments.

Photo Credit: Starwood (Spa Gaucin's Orange Frappe)

Perhaps the AIG staff who attended this boondoggle was stressed from destroying their company and willingly taking $85 million of American’s monies. It must be nice to be allowed the discretion to spend $175 on a Divine Grapeseed Mud Wrap or maybe $675 for a Costal Romance spa package.

Who would not want to spend a week at this 400-room oceanfront luxury escape? The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort boasts three swimming pools, a prestigious oceanfront 18-hole golf course, divine spa, a private beach, six breathtaking ocean view restaurants, and more amenities.

This was not a corporate meeting to try to turn the company around, which in the state AIG is, they need to consider holding their meetings in their own offices or in a park, not spending more than $440,000 on a reward vacation to recognize AIG sales people and others. Seriously, there should be zero recognition or bonuses or special treatments, especially travel, for any AIG official for years to come.

AIG needs to take responsibility and treat the $85 billion dollars being given to them as a bailout as American citizens’ monies and how the average U.S. tax payer would treat this money and prioritize spending. A $440,000 extravagant vacation? I doubt that the common tax payer would consider this a wise investment.

AIG should be ashamed and embarrassed for this poor judgment thinking now was the right time to take a luxury vacation. Not only should the executives who authorized this haphazard travel expense be fired, but every employee who willingly went and took advantage of this country’s economic situation should be let go. Let’s see where these AIG staffers vacation next!

Photo Credit: www.spiritair.com

In 2008 the friendly skies have not been so friendly. Travelers have been hit with outrageous fees on top of fees for everything ranging from traveling with luggage to reserving a seat. Capacity has been reduced and routes eliminated. It is surprising the airlines have not started charging a reservation fee for oxygen in case of emergency. Seriously, getting through the ticket purchase process can be just as long and frustrating as going through an airport security line.

Last night, I had the honor of purchasing a ticket for my mother’s pending visit. Based on our locales there is only one airline and one daily flight for non-stop flights, so based on supply and demand theories a premium might be expected to be paid. Luckily, this single flight availability/route is on a discount airline, Spirit Airlines, so we have never had to pay an “outrageous” amount. When comparing other “nearby” airports, there are less expensive flights, but when considering gas prices and time to go an extra hour to this nearby airport, the savings are negated.

I have been purchasing Spirit Airline tickets for more than two years for this particular route and I have been lucky enough to score an insanely good sale price for certain visits. However, regardless of Spirit’s great sale offerings, I was disappointed in my purchasing experience.

The ticket price was acceptable and by waiting an extra day, an unexpected sale was announced which resulted in an additional $25 in savings, which was “lost” as I went through the reservation process and pre-paid the now $15 for first piece of checked luggage fee. But, hey, $25 is $25 and I am not complaining. My recollection of the luggage fee had been $10 for the first bag, so I was left wondering if prices had gone up for this “service”. Where I was shocked is when the seat reservation option came up. Spirit Airlines now charges $10 per seat, per flight, even for online reservations. This is unacceptable. If booking online, travelers should be able to reserve their seat as part of the process and ticket price.

While airlines reportedly are struggling, why tease a customer in with a sale fare only to bait and switch with fee on top of fee. As you approach the end of the buying experience, Spirit Airlines automatically tacks on its fee for its airline insurance, which provides zero protection if the airline goes bankrupt, and $9 for a trial membership in its $39.95 annual exclusive $9 fare club. Both of these items are optional and I did not opt for either, but I felt as though this “suggestive selling” was just more nickel and diming that was unnecessary.

Spirit overall I have had good flying experiences with and again, have scored amazing flight deals. I only wish the Burger King approach would be removed. I highly recommend visiting Spirit’s Web site, www.spiritair.com and sign up to receive its sale notices. A word of caution…be flexible and act quickly.

Photo Credit: Yosemite National Park, as captured by a TripAdvisor traveler.

Regardless of the value of the “green back” or the United States’ “green currency”, green travel is on the rise. More than 18 million Americans can be classified as ecotourists, according to the International Ecotourism Society and a Geotourism Study by the Travel Industry Association and National Geographic Traveler reports nearly 55.1 million Americans express an interest in nature, culture and heritage tourism activities that protect and preserve the environment.

Consumers are more educated today than ever on “green” choices and their attitudes toward eco-tourism have graduated past a hotel’s linen or towel reuse program or because of an airline’s offering of voluntary carbon offsets.

“They (travelers) want to know a company is committed to sustainable travel and tourism,” Brian T. Mullis, president of Sustainable Travel International (STI) adds. “They’re more interested in hearing about a hotel’s energy conservation and renewable energy systems or an airlines’ holistic approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

The American Ecotourism Association defines eco-tourism as “pleasure travel to nature and culture based areas which minimizes ecological impact and supports the well-being of the local community.” Whereas, geotourism is defined as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographic character of a place - it’s environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and well-being of its residents,” as outlined by National Geographic Society.

TripAdvisor® annual travel trends survey of more than 3,000 U.S. travelers reveals travelers leaning toward green travel options. “The primary trends identified are that travelers appear to be going lean and green by visiting national parks, hiking, and engaging in adventure activities,” as stated in TripAdvisor’s release. “A greater amount of Americans said they will be environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in 2009, and more plan to visit eco-friendly hotels in the coming year.”

Following are two of the TripAdvisor survey findings:

Park is the Place: Seventy-three percent of U.S. respondents said they plan to visit a national park in 2009, up from 62 percent one year ago. Fifty-three percent will go hiking in the coming year, up from 50 percent last year. Forty-seven percent of those surveyed plan to engage in an adventure activity, an increase from 40 percent in 2008. Thirty-three percent of travelers will go cycling and biking, up from 28 percent, and 11 percent of travelers are likely to participate in an extreme sports activity, compared to eight percent one year ago.

Easy Being Green: Thirty-four percent of U.S. respondents said they will visit an environmentally-friendly hotel or resort in the coming year, up from 30 percent in 2008. Thirty-two percent of those surveyed said they will be more environmentally conscious in their travel decisions this year, than they were the year before. Last year, 26 percent said they would be more environmentally conscious.

“An emerging trend is travelers getting greener. They plan to be more environmentally-conscious, and will be more active outdoors this year, taking advantage of some of the outstanding resources in the U.S., such as our beautiful national parks,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.