Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Luxury Travel Vietnam to Launch Jungle Tour of Vietnam

Luxury Travel Unveils Two Day Tour to the Jungle Nam Cat Tien National Park

Hanoi, Vietnam, April 11, 2011 - Luxury Travel Ltd (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) is an innovation luxury tour operator in Vietnam and unveils very often new upscale travel experiences for the most discerning travelers.

Located 160 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Nam Cat Tien National Park is reported to have 600 plant species, 240 bird species, and 50 species of mammals including the one-horn rhinoceros, one of several endangered mammals from Vietnam listed in the World Red Book.




Nam Cat Tien National Park is situated about 160 km north of Ho Chi Minh City. The park was established in 1998 and is actually comprised of two separate areas, Nam Cat Tien and Cat Loc, which are linked by the Dong Nai River.

Together they cover around 185,000 acres of evergreen rainforest which is home to over 600 varieties of plants, 240 types of birds and 50 species of mammals, including the one-horn Javan rhinoceros.

The rhino is one of several endangered mammals in Vietnam that has almost been driven to extinction by by man’s greed. In the past poachers could expect a large purse from the sale of rhino horn.

The Javan rhino was thought to be extinct in Vietnam until the 1980’s when a few were discovered in the northern part of Cat Loc.

In 1992 Cat Loc was declared a Rhino sanctuary by the World Wildlife Fund, who estimate that there are only 5 to 8 Javan rhinos left. Their very existence as a species is still under threat, although it is hoped that an increase in awareness and a sustainable eco-tourism industry can safeguard the animal’s future.

Certainly the 60 park wardens take great pride in their "Vietnamese Rhino" and continually patrol the area on the lookout for poachers.

"Luxury Travel Company is currently operating small group trips in the national park and we appreciate the importance of being beneficial rather than detrimental to the fragile eco-system that exists in the Cat Tien National Park" says Pham Ha, CEO and Founder of Luxury Travel Vietnam. "We limit our groups to a maximum of ten people and stay in the newly built Forest Floor Lodge within the sanctuary and can opt camping in the jungle. Inside the park you can trek, animal watch, ride bicycles and boat along the river and explore one of Vietnam’s as yet untouched treasures"

Forest Floor Lodge offers boutique 12 accommodation units, suitable for double occupancy consisting of deluxe tents, and traditional Vietnamese wooden houses. These are secluded and equipped for your comfort, with good quality bathrooms, and tastefully selected furnishings. Each room is provided with a mini-bar, ceiling fans, and air-conditioning units as required.

The Forest Floor Lodge accommodation units are accessed via elevated walkways and offer either views across the Dong Nai river, or a ‘living in the jungle’ ambience.

The Executive Tent #B2 is highly recommended for a wonderful view on the river and privacy.

Tour costs starts from 231 USD per peson based on the private party of two people, inclusive of private pick up, drop off services from Saigon, ferry, walking tour, a private jeep for animal watch at night, transfer by a private car, English speaking guide, accommodation and meals. This cost is valid until 31 September 2011. Guests can opt for a 3 day package program with one additional night in Bau Sau or Crocodile Lake.

For more tour information and online booking, visit: http://www.luxurytravelvietnam.com

Contact:
David Nguyen
Luxury Travel Group Company
05 Nguyen Truong To Street
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 71000
Vietnam
+84.4.3927 4120

AAA announces Support for Impact Reporting and Investment Standards

Impact investment advocacy and analysis group, Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), has said it supports the Global Impact Investment Network's Impact Reporting and Investment Standards (IRIS).

Boston, Mass, April 08, 2011 - Impact investment advocacy and analysis group, Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), has said it supports the Global Impact Investment Network's Impact Reporting and Investment Standards (IRIS).

A growing number of wealthy investors are looking for projects to place their money that will offer a socially responsible investment opportunity that nurtures projects in developing countries and hold scope for returns later down the line. This is known as impact investing and the issue has become increasingly high profile in light of the success of projects sponsored by large funds such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

AAA says that these projects have had major positive influences on people's lives and the environment over a reasonably short space of time. One example of a success story is the Kenyan rose farming industry. After an expose in 2003, the world suddenly became aware that the $500m industry's practices were harmful to the people and the environment in the Lake Naivasha region of Kenya. Now, thanks to the investment - which was even more necessary after drought and flood hit the region, leaving the workers desperate to establish a sustainable living - the industry has transformed.

Better working conditions and a renewed focus on sustainability have emerged. However, AAA's Anthony Johnson has said it is not always easy for investors to establish and evaluate the true impact their investment will make. It is also sometimes challenging to know whether a project is truly beneficial to all parties and to the environment. Many controversial areas like biofuels can split opinion as to what is an ethical investment and what is the opposite.

"This is where the IRIS comes in," stated Mr Johnson. "The IRIS provides a standardised format through which businesses report their social and environmental performances, helping investors to understand the impact being made by organisations they are interested in."

The Global Impact Investment Network has said, "IRIS aims to increase the value of non-financial data by enabling performance comparisons and benchmarking, while also streamlining and simplifying reporting requirements for companies and their investors."

For individuals looking for projects to invest in, but who have more modest bank accounts, excellent ethical investment opportunities can be found in Brazil, according Mr Johnson. Plantation firms like Greenwood Management are growing sustainable crops of non-native trees such as Teak, which help to support projects and legislation that prevents deforestation.

Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-898-6317