AMERICAN TOURISM SOCIETY (ATS) and TOURISM CARES will launch their first joint program at the ATS  Fall 2009 Annual Conference on October 26-29, in Heiligendamm, in the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (“Meck-Pomm”), in Eastern Germany.  ATS delegates are being told to bring their “jeans and boots” so they can participate in the Tourism Cares first-ever project in Europe, a tree planting program on October 28 .  Integrated for the first time as part of the ATS Conference program, it will take place at the Climate Forest within the boundaries of the National Park Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft. Tourism Cares, a non-profit US-based philanthropy dedicated to “preserving the travel experience for future generations.”

The ATS and Tourism Cares Partnership was first announced by ATS president Phil Otterson and Tourism Cares Executive Director , Bruce Beckham at the ATS 2008 Fall Conference which took place in Cairo, Egypt last October.  In making the announcement, Beckham said that “ATS is a natural partner for Tourism Cares. Although we currently give program grants for natural, cultural and historical sites around the world, we are looking to raise our international profile.  ATS, with its international focus on ‘Presenting Tomorrow’s Destinations’ and its mission to give  back to the local communities through the ATS Tourism College, provides a perfect showcase for Tourism Cares activities abroad. Hopefully this ATS- Tourism Cares Partnership will serve as a catalyst to stimulate more grant requests from ATS member countries.”

Otterson, ATS President and Executive VP, External Affairs, Tauck World Discovery, said that “ATS is pleased to be able to provide our delegates with the opportunity to do something meaningful for the destination in addition to the ATS Tourism College program.  The Tourism Cares restoration projects In the US have always provided its participants with a great sense of satisfaction and camaraderie. We are confident that the Tree Planting and future ATS -Tourism Care activities will generate this same level of involvement and enthusiasm.” 

This event, on the Fischland-Darss Zingst Peninsula, involves planting trees and is the first international tree planting event planned by the Meck-Pomm Ministry of Agriculture and the Meck-Pomm Tourismusverband. Hon. Till Backhaus, Minister of Agriculture, said “Anyone planning to spend their holidays in Meck-Pomm can help us combat climate change and get involved in nature protection. In doing so, visitors will not only have a great time in Meck-Pomm, but also enjoy their holidays with a clear conscience. The Tourism Cares tree planting project sets a good example of how this idea can be implemented by all our visitors."

Bernd Fischer, Chief executive of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Tourist Board added “The ATS meeting in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern not only gives us the opportunity to present the attractions of our State to top tour operators from the US market, but in addition, the Tourism Cares Project will also give us a chance to show our focus on nature-protecting-activities, critical to a sustainable tourism policy.”

About the ATS Fall 2009 Conference
The ATS Fall 2009 Conference will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, while at the same time mark the 20th Anniversary of the founding of ATS. The ATS conference will take place at the luxurious five-star Grand Hotel Heiligendamm. In addition to a week of seminars and networking, ATS delegates will be able to participate in the NTA (National Tour Association) Post-ATS Conference Product Development Tour departing Heiligendamm on Oct. 29 and ending in Berlin on Nov 1, 2009.

For a detailed ATS 2009 Fall Conference program, membership and registration information for the ATS Fall Conference visit www.americantourismsociety.org or contact don.reynolds@americantourismsociety.org.

About ATS – Presenting Tomorrow’s Destinations 
The American Tourism Society (ATS) was established in 1989 by a group of US tourism industry executives to provide exclusive access, business networking and promotion for transformational destinations.  It is a nonprofit, nonpolitical travel industry organization whose membership includes experienced tour operators, destination tourist offices, hotels, airlines and other travel industry professionals. Collectively, ATS members generate over four billion dollars in sales involving three million North American travelers. ATS holds an Annual Fall Conference and a Tourism College hosted by a different member destination each year; conducts travel marts and seminars in the US for its members; has a website www.americantourismsociety.org. For more information on The American Tourism Society: 149 Madison Avenue, Suite 602, New York, NY 10016; USA -Phone 212.893.8111, Fax 212.893.8153; email: info@americantourismsociety.org. 

About Tourism Cares
Tourism Cares is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit public charity that benefits society by preserving the travel experience for future generations by awarding grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide; by presenting academic and professional development scholarships to students of hospitality and tourism; and by organizing volunteer restoration efforts to restore tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation. For additional information about Tourism Cares, please visit www.tourismcares.org.

Photo attached:
ATS Executive Committee Members, Tourism Cares and Host Country State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. (L.to R) Robert Whitley, ATS Director and President, USTOA; Dave Spinelli, ATS VP/Secretary and Director of Strategic Planning,Vacation.Com; Jan Rudomina, ATS VP/Treasurer and Director Polish  National Tourist Office, USA ; Bruce Beckham, Executive Director, Tourism Cares; Tobias Woitendorf, head of communications for the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern  Destination Marketing Organization;  David Parry, ATS Chairman and Chairman,  Academic Travel Abroad, Phil Otterson, ATS President and Executive VP, External Affairs, Tauck World Discovery ; and Don Reynolds, ATS Exec. VP.