The World Heritage Alliance (WHA), a collaborative effort between Expedia® and the UN Foundation, marks its first anniversary with the Mexico Tourism Board applauding the initiative's success and welcoming new members. This partnership underscores a commitment to sustainable tourism and the preservation of World Heritage sites, with Mexico taking a leading role in promoting its 26 UNESCO-listed treasures.
The World Heritage Alliance (WHA), established in 2005 by Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE) and the United Nations Foundation, has reached a significant milestone, celebrating one year of promoting sustainable tourism and the conservation of World Heritage sites globally. This initiative has seen remarkable growth, with ten new members and four new associate partners joining the cause, as announced at a commemorative event in Los Angeles.
In a groundbreaking move, Mexico's Tourism Secretary Rodolfo Elizondo and Mexico Tourism Board CEO Magdalena Carral signed a letter of intent with the WHA during Tourism Tianguis 2006, Mexico's premier travel trade fair. This marked the first occasion a national tourism secretariat has formalized an agreement with the WHA, setting a precedent for future collaborations.
Mexico's government tourism entities, alongside founding WHA members, are dedicated to educating travelers and the travel industry about responsible tourism, encouraging community-based sustainable tourism development, and promoting Mexico's cultural and natural World Heritage sites worldwide.
Magdalena Carral expressed pride in being the first associate partner to support the preservation of Mexico's 26 World Heritage sites, praising the new members for their leadership in promoting sustainable tourism.
The WHA's expansion includes nine new members: Camino Real Hotels, Club Méditerranée (Club Med), El Sueño Hotel and Spa, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Maroma Resort and Spa, Mayaland Resorts Group, Paraiso de la Bonita Resort and Thalasso, Radar Tours, and Solimar Marketing and Travel. Many of these members will focus their efforts on the Yucatan Peninsula, which boasts five of Mexico's World Heritage sites.
The WHA offers two partnership levels—members and associate partners. Members are travel industry companies, while associate partners include NGOs, civil society groups, government bodies, and other non-tourism-exclusive organizations.
The WHA's founding partners, Expedia and the UN Foundation, have laid a solid foundation with several achievements, including the launch of the Expedia® Employee Program, five training programs, and an online course for local travel industry suppliers in the Yucatan Peninsula. Expedia also offers special package trips to World Heritage sites, with all profits donated to the Friends of World Heritage Fund to support surrounding communities.
New associate partners, such as Academex Digital Publishing, Destination Ventures, Ltd, the Rainforest Alliance, and Rare Conservation, will assist WHA members in fulfilling commitments like consumer education, community development, and technical training.
Mexico stands out in the Americas and ranks eighth globally for its UNESCO sites, which are recognized for their historical, cultural, and natural significance. The Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities in Tequila, Jalisco, the latest addition in 2006, contribute to Mexico's impressive list of World Heritage Sites.
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) is a collaborative effort between federal and state governments, municipalities, and private companies to promote Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Established in 1999, the MTB operates through offices across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Chichen-Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 and one of the greatest Mayan centers in the Yucatan peninsula, is a finalist in the New7Wonders Foundation's campaign to revise the ancient wonders of the world. To support Chichen-Itza's candidacy, visit www.new7wonders.com.
For press inquiries, additional story ideas, or general travel and tourism information about Mexico, please contact the MTB’s North American Press Room at 1-800-929-4555, email northamericanpress@visitmexico.com, or visit www.visitmexicopress.com. For downloadable b-roll, access www.thenewsmarket.com/visitmexicopress.
Contact: Erick Laseca Mexico Tourism Board 312-228-0517 erick.laseca@bm.com
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