Pelican wheel aboard case may also be safe for check in

 

Pelican1510

 

While we were visting Tobago last year, there was a bomb scare in the U.K. that led to new stricter regulations on carry on bags, including not allowing any carry on baggage from U.K. airports for several weeks.

Concerned about our carry on items being damaged or stolen if we were prevented from carrying them with us, we searched high and low for options. Our goal was to find a carry on case with wheels capable of being checked in as luggage if security levels were elevated while we were on a trip. Our best find was the Pelican 1510. In it we we can accommodate a laptop and camera gear with less fear for their safety if we are forced to check the bag in with luggage during a trip.

If you have never seen Pelican cases before, they are used extensively in the military and civil agencies, such as fire and police. They are durable, chemical resistant and watertight cases that protect equipment and supplies for transport. The Pelican 1510 is designed to meet the carry on luggage size constraints of most major airlines,It comes with wheels and an extendable handle so it is easy to use.

There are several options available for the interior. We chose the foam blocks designed to allow the user to remove individual cells and form shapes to snugly hold equipment. In our case, we carry an entire professional photography setup, including multiple lenses and spare parts as well as a Sony Vaio laptop. On a recent trip to Africa, we found that this bag was perfect for use in the game viewing camps, as we could just hand it off to the porters to deliver to our rooms and trust that our equipment was safely cushioned.

Pelican also markets TSA approved locks that will secure this case if we ever have to check it with regular luggage. We hope it never comes to this, but if the worst happens while we are out there traveling, we at least have the option to keep our equipment safe and sound if it has to go into the belly of the plane. We hope!

2007 Tourism for Tomorrow finalists announced

10 Knots Development Corporation 

Investor in People Award finalist 10 Knots Development Corporation/El Nido Resorts, Philippines

The World Travel & Tourism Council recently announced 12 finalists in four categories for the 2007 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognise and promote leading examples of best practice in responsible tourism development in four categories: Destination, Conservation, Investor in People, and Global Tourism Business.

Great Barrier Reef

Destination Award finalist Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

The finalists were selected from 130 applications from over 40 different countries representing seven continents. The finalists for the Destination Award are Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Greenbox Trading As Responsible Tourism, Ireland and The State of Vermont, USA. For the Conservation Award, they are Aqua-Trek in the Fiji Islands and USA; the Aspen Skiing Company, USA, and the Caiman Ecological Refuge in Brazil.

Caiman Ecological Refuge

Conservation Award finalist Caiman Ecological Refuge, Brazil

For the Investor in People Award they are 10 Knots Development Corporation/El Nido Resorts in the Philippines; the Nihiwatu Resortin Indonesia and the Sunderbans Jungle Camp in India. For the Global Tourism Business Award, the finalists are Lindblad Expeditions in the USA and Global; Six Senses Resorts & Spas in Thailand and Global and Wilderness Safaris in South Africa.

Lindblad expedition

Global Tourism Business Award finalist Lindblad Expeditions

One of our teams visited three Wilderness Safaris properties in Botswana. To read about their experiences click on the name of the property Camp Okavango, Xigera and their favorite, King’s Pool.

*Photos:  10 Knots Development Corporation/El Nido Resorts, Australia Great Barrier Reef, Caiman Ecological Refuge, and Lindblad Expeditions.