Wikivoyage Logo
Wikipedia is adding “Wikivoyage” to their long list of free services. Following the traditional platform input is gathered from the audience which means it can be edited by all. I think of it as a public travel blog. Check out what another fellow blogger Jon Mitchell has said about this Wikivoyage in a recent post.
The Art of Interpretive Writing
Image provided by Alan Leftridge. Some rights reserved.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
3815 American Blvd East
Bloomington, Minnesota
Saturday, September 14, 2013
9 am to 4:30 pm
Write compelling interpretive messages! This workshop offers you the basics of interpretive writing that apply to signage, exhibit labels, brochures, websites, public service announcements, books, and magazines. You will understand how to create clear, dynamic, and concise interpretive texts, reveal meanings, and ways to excite visitors about your site, whether it is a museum, park, zoo, nature center, or aquarium.
Topics include: The Interpretive Writing Process · Concept Mapping · Universal Concepts · The Five Elements of Interpretive Writing · Meeting Your Audience’s Needs · Concise Wording · Keeping Your Reader’s Attention · The Importance of Fluency · Redundant Wording · Understanding Readability Indexes · Using a Human Interest Scale ·Capturing Your Reader’s Attention · What to Avoid · Connecting with a Narrative · The Editing Process · Evaluation
The fee is $295 and includes instruction, refreshments, handouts, and a copy of the Interpretive Writing textbook.
Contact Alan Leftridge, leftridge@blackfoot.net, 406.754.2940 to register.
Alan Leftridge, Ph.D., is the author of Interpretive Writing, and specializes in interpretive
training seminars across North America. Access leftridge.com for additional information.
Nature. Image by Moyan Brenn. Retrieved from FlickR. Used under Creative Commons Licensing.
Ecotourism is considered an alternative form of tourism for travelers. These destinations provide an educational component, capture a larger portion of revenue locally, and strive to minimize the impact generated by the tourists/tourism. Often the main focus is on the natural environment and indigenous peoples and/or cultures.
To learn more about ecotourism you can visit the International Ecotourism Society.
If you are interested in attended the 2013 World Conference this September, click here for details.
Bucket. Image by mil8. Retrieved from FlickR and used under Creative Commons Licensing.
The phase “bucket list” has become a part of pop-culture. It refers to a list of life-time, desired achievements. Over the last few years, the idea of creating a personal “bucket list” has become a growing trend. And, of course, often travel is at the epicenter. If you are in the process of creating a list, click here to include a Tour(s) of a Lifetime. Complied by National Geographic, it includes a list of 50 of the best guided expeditions in the world.
TIP: For additional ideas, consider perusing the BucketList.org for popular list items or recently completed tasks (upper right corner). If you choose to become a member (at no cost) you can compile, track and share your list with friends, family and other task masters.
The image of air travel in the United States has taken a hit over last several years, specifically after 911. This travesty created a significant lack in consumer confidence in terms of safety. This alone can devastate any business/industry-image is almost everything. Adding to this, is the downward spiral of the US economy of which some say we are still struggling to pull out of. And when it comes to travel the amount of disposable income directly affects when, where or if a person travels.
For some, flying can be a daunting endeavor; signifying long lines, early wake-up calls, costly tickets, crammed quarters and an onslaught of cumbersome security measures. So I am surprised that given all these factors, the airline industry is not going back to the business basics to not just survive, but thrive in a competitive environment-sound customer service! We seem to missing the allure!
Flashback!
Around the 1920’s passenger flights began to slowly grow as a viable transportation options when traveling long distances or navigating geographic barriers (oceans, mountains, etc.). But to stave off consumer fears, they made flying seem appealing, significant and in-vogue. It was sold as the premier life-style choice-social marketing at its best.
I have included a few examples below. As you view these ads, ask yourself, 1) What message are they conveying?, and 2) Does this mirror what you have experienced flying on a recent trip?
Here is what I see:
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Vintage ads Strato Cruiser Boeing 377
FRIENDLY & WELCOMING
Vintage ads Strato Cruiser Boeing 377
SPACIOUS
Vintage ads United Airlines
COMPLIMENTARY
1960s Pres Hor’d cart interchange flyer a by Pan Am Catering 1960.1970
Commercial Link: Friendly Skies
Ads (video): Vintage Posters
On the way into work today, the local radio station read a letter from a passenger to LIAT-Caribbean Airlines. Instead of sending a disgruntled letter, there airline carrier this customer took a tongue and cheek approach by sending a thank you note about their recent trip experience. Click on this link to read the full text.
Thank you word cloud. Retrieved from FlickR and used under Creative Commons Licensing.
If you are considering international travel but are not fluent in a particular language, I recommend downloading Google Translate App to your smartphone. This free App is available for both Android and iPhone. Click here to view a short video about this product or click below to begin downloading;
Android: Google Play Store App
Image by Spartan Daily. Retrieved from Google Search
iPhone: iTunes Store App
This app is available in the following languages: English, Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
Image by Google Translate
Two Tourists by Garry Knight. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons licensing.
A “tourist” is defined, in it’s simplest form, as a person or group who engages in an activity or practice of touring, especially for pleasure. Tourists tend to go to a particular site to see something specific (dictionary.com).
Although dictionary.com is accurate, we know that identifying a tourist can be an intense, complex and highly customize-able process.
Stay connected this month at RCompass to learn more!
This week’s recommended virtual travel tool is AirPano!
Meet the Team!
AirPano project is comprised of a team of eight, Russian men, who travel to the most significant landmarks around the world. At each sight they capture high resolution, aerial images and videos which are then uploaded online.
AirPano 360 Degrees
This online tool provides incredible views and access to some of the worlds most breath-taking sites both natural and man-made around the world. Click below to begin your trip!
Special Features at Your Fingertips
Note: These are large images/files. Be prepared that they make take time to load.
I promise, they are worth the wait!
RCompass 