Loic Robertson September 22nd, 2008
As you may have seen, Audley is raising funds to help with the re-build of the primary school at Paya Ngoto (North) Village which was completely destroyed by cyclone Nargis.
If you would like to help with our fundraising efforts please purchase a ticket for entry into our prize draw. There are some fabulous prizes to win all kindly donated by some of our suppliers and the families and friends of Audley staff. The prize draw takes place on the 15th October 2008.
Prize draw tickets can be purchased by downloading the Order Form or calling 01993 838 105.
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Tags: burma, fund raising
Loic Robertson September 22nd, 2008
Buy your prints at the Audley Burma Gallery
As part of our fund-raising efforts to support the children of the primary school at Paya Ngoto (North) Village which was completely destroyed by cyclone Nargis, we have launched the Burma Gallery - an online photography exhibition where you can purchase professional quality prints with the money raised going towards the £8,000 target needed to help rebuild the school. More »
Kate Dicks September 22nd, 2008
The wrecked school and the floodwaters
Following our initial fundraising efforts for the victims of cyclone Nargis, it has always been our intention to source a project that Audley could directly support that would provide long-term gain for a community.
Whilst it has proved considerably more difficult than we had initially thought to find a suitable project (our first attempt unfortunately fell through to another donor), we are now moving ahead at a pace with the rebuilding of a primary school at Paya Ngoto (North) Village.
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Loic Robertson September 19th, 2008
Plan your trip with our interactive wildlife map
We’ve just launched a new section on our website all about the wildlife of Indian Subcontinent. It’s amazing what diversity of wildlife there is in this region - it’s not just all about tigers.
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Andrew Hunt September 19th, 2008
Grootbos is a private nature reserve we send people to near Hermanus. It’s an area better known for whales but the flora is just as interesting - Grootbos actually supply the Eden Dome with a number of their exhibits. They’re involved in a wide range of responsible travel initiatives, both environmental and social, including planting trees. More »
Loic Robertson July 2nd, 2008
Craig Burkinshaw, MD of Audley, argues that effective carbon offsetting should be an obligatory part of the ticket price for all air passengers around the world.
The issues, however, are complex and in some cases, controversial:
- Carbon offsetting schemes are the most obvious and simple solution, but how effective are they?
- Make airlines pay more duty and VAT on fuel - but how much extra cost would travellers be prepared to pay?
- Planes could fly lower and slower to reduce the effect of emmissions but would passengers accept longer flight times?
- Is emmissions trading the answer?
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Tags: carbon emmissions, carbon offsetting
Felicity Goldsmith May 30th, 2008
Following the success of the Canada department at the BACTAs last month, it was with high hopes that Rachel and I set off for the annual Tourism New Zealand Awards in London in early May. The awards this year were comprised of eight categories, of which we were eligible to enter five, and so with the help of the whole team we prepared our submissions and handed them over to TNZ during their recent visit to the Mill.
The awards themselves were presented by Gregg Anderson, the Regional Manager for Tourism New Zealand UK, with the assistance of Simon Calder – travel editor for the Independent, broadcaster and industry expert. Simon was also part of the judging panel.
The first award was for Best Brochure, and we were disappointed to hear that we had lost out to Tailor Made. However, it was onwards and upwards from that point as we took awards for Best Online Content and Best Responsible Tour Operator to New Zealand.
The moment of glory came when they announced the shortlist for the Supreme Award – Travel Specialist of the Year. The list included several of our major competitors, but we came out on top. Gregg Anderson said the following in presenting the award: “Audley Travel have a remarkable and growing range of New Zealand product. They provide a great example of tailoring holidays specifically to the traveller. Rigorous staff training and on-going educational opportunities are reflected in the detailed knowledge of each country specialist. The dedication this company has shown to developing their New Zealand Programme since 2004 is outstanding and evident in their great results.”
The champagne went down well after that! Huge congratulations go to the whole team, whose hard work and commitment are ultimately what have won us these awards.
Tags: award, New Zealand
Kate Dicks May 23rd, 2008
Yesterday our series of fundraising events got underway with a lunchtime of fun activities including a Hog Roast and BBQ as well as a cake sale. I never realised you could get into a bidding war over a cake! Just as well both parties did, as it helped to make lots of money. More »
Tags: Burma Appeal, fundraising, Southeast Asia
Kate Dicks May 16th, 2008
You may have read about the fantastic fundraising efforts that the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company are carrying out in the Delta in cooperation with Merlin, a UK based aid agency (update on our blog). Two of the Pandaw fleet are now navigating the Delta taking supplies to those in need, as well as acting as floating hospitals. We have donated $2,000 to the fund, knowing that this money will bring immediate relief to the Burmese people affected by this terrible catastrophe. More »
Tags: burma, cyclone nargis, fundraising
Loic Robertson May 14th, 2008
Today, we received the following pictures which have been taken by Mr Khin Zaw Nichols, Managing Director of our ground agent in Burma, Tour Mandalay. He and a team from the Yangon office have been in the Syriam area handing over water filters as well as food, medical and building supplies to the local monastery and orphanage.
Monasteries are for many villages in Burma the focal point of a community and from here aid has been distributed to many families and individuals in need. The children of the orphanage have been provided with wholesome meals whilst the villagers have been educated on how to use the water filters donated by an American company. More »
Tags: Burma Appeal, photos
