Andean Discovery Honored for Clean Stove Project in Rural Quechua Community in Peru

    BOSTON, MA, February 15, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- This Tuesday, February 17th, Andean Discovery, a U.S.-based tour operator specializing in travel to Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands will be honored for their sustainable tourism practices by the Educational Travel Community (ETC). ETC's Responsible Tourism Committee selected Andean Discovery's Clean Stove Project as an ETC 2015 Responsible Tourism Showcase Honoree. Andean Discovery and other honorees will be recognized publicly at the 29th Annual ETC Conference held on February 17th, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.

The Clean Stove Project is an ongoing public health, community development, and environmental conservation initiative in which volunteer travelers from the United States work hand-in-hand with Quechua families and local builders to install clean stoves in rural areas in Peru. The wood burning Clean Stoves are constructed in the homes of Quechua families, using sustainable materials and practices. The stoves incorporate chimneys to properly transmit smoke outside. The health benefit is that families no longer have to endure smoke-filled homes, which can lead to serious respiratory illness and eye infections that are particularly threatening to young children. The overall benefit is that meal preparation is a more pleasurable and comfortable experience, and because the stoves burn wood more efficiently, families' wood costs are reduced and the rapidly declining supply of native trees is safeguarded.

Tony Rango of the Sierra Club, Co-Chair of ETC's Responsible Tourism Committee said, "Andean Discovery's Clean Stove Project exemplifies the best of what educational tourism can bring to travelers and local communities combining a virtuous cycle of positive social, ecological, economic and cultural benefits through the pursuit of service, volunteerism, engagement with the local community, traveler philanthropy and stewardship of the environment."

The Clean Stove Project is facilitated by way of Damon and Angela Corkin's dual ownership of U.S.-based Andean Discovery and their local operations in South America. As local tour operators and prior residents of the Andean region, the Corkins are able to directly coordinate volunteers in the U.S. with local builders and families in need. From habitat preservation initiatives in the Galapagos Islands, to visits with indigenous communities deep in the Amazon, Andean Discovery has cultivated an intricate network of trusted contacts, treasured places, and sustainable tourism opportunities throughout the Andes region.

Damon Corkin, co-owner of Andean Discovery, said, "We are honored to be recognized by ETC for our Clean Stove Project in Peru. As stewards of the Andes region, we are dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding that inspires travelers, and serves and honors the interests of local communities."

The Clean Stove Project has been in continuous operation since 2012. Clean Stove Project participation is arranged with student and adult groups in the US who are interested in purposeful travel through high schools, universities and special interest groups as a part of larger educational expeditions.

As part of their itinerary, volunteers dedicate anywhere from a half day to a few days living and working in rural Quechua villages, where they build and install clean stoves. Further deepening the experience, participants take advantage of down time to play soccer, teach English to children, eat meals with Quechua families, and swim in the chilly water of a nearby, alpine lake. For more information on this program or other educational travel opportunities please visit http://www.andeandiscovery.com orwww.studentexpeditions.com

About Andean Discovery
With headquarters in the U.S. and local offices in Ecuador and Peru, Andean Discovery is equipped to customize safe and seamless educational adventures for schools and other groups. Itineraries are tailored to accommodate the specific interests, schedules, and budgets of individuals and organizations. Student educational travel is curated through the Student Expeditions brand, which caters specifically to high school and university groups. For more information on tours and itineraries offered by Andean Discovery or Student Expeditions, please visit http://www.andeandiscovery.com, http://www.studentexpeditions.com or call 1-800-893-0916.

ABOUT Educational Travel Community
The Educational Travel Community (ETC) is a membership organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural diplomacy and lifelong learning through the advancement of alumni and affinity travel. ETC and its annual Conference offer professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities for nonprofit travel planners at alumni associations, zoos, museums, cultural, and conservation organizations. Nowhere else does such a highly-qualified international group of planners, suppliers, specialty tour operators and destinations assemble to focus on group educational and experiential affinity travel. For more information about the Educational Travel Community and Conference, please visit http://www.travelearning.com

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