INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Modern Traveler, the magazine for enlightened explorers, helps travelers make responsible and sustainable travel choices. Available summer 2008, Modern Traveler will provide readers with easy and fun ways to make a big difference – and it will feature celebrities who sample responsible travel options around the world. The magazine is anticipated to become the voice behind a movement that is sweeping across the planet and making a revolutionary difference … one traveler at a time.

Modern Traveler’s success is due in part to its diverse and prominent partners, on whom it relies for editorial input, respected endorsement and unique expertise in their respective fields. Its current partners include Sustainable Travel International, the Adventure Travel Trade Association, The International Ecotourism Society, VolunTourism.org and Mixpo.

“Each of these organizations brings unparalleled knowledge, creativity and insight to Modern Traveler, helping us to give readers a versatile and dependable resource for making responsible travel choices,” said Modern Traveler Editor and Co-founder Frances Figart.

The magazine’s official carbon offset provider, Sustainable Travel International is a major source of information and support for Modern Traveler. STI promotes responsible tourism, supports sustainable development and helps travelers and travel providers protect the environments and cultures visited.

“Tourism and conservation go hand in hand,” said STI President Brian Mullis. “Although travel and tourism is a consumptive industry, tourism should not be undertaken at the expense of the environment and local culture and heritage — it should celebrate them. As the world continues to get smaller, Modern Traveler will appeal to the growing number of consumers who want to support environmental conservation and protect cultural heritage while promoting cross-cultural understanding and economic development during their travels.”

Modern Traveler made its global debut at the Adventure Travel World Summit in Whistler, British Columbia, October 4–7, 2007. The Adventure Travel Trade Association is a global organization dedicated to unifying, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market worldwide – a market that is one of Modern Traveler’s key demographics.

“The awakening consumer needs a magazine that speaks to its values – and the rest of consumers need awakening,” said ATTA President Shannon Stowell. “ATTA is excited about the launch of this publication. As there appears to be a sea change in consumer attitudes around sustainability, Modern Traveler stands poised to serve this audience and get the message out to a broader market.”

The International Ecotourism Society is a global network of industry practitioners, institutions and individuals helping to integrate environmental and socially responsible principles into practice. TIES held its second North American-focused conference in Madison, Wisconsin, September 26–28, 2007. This conference hosted the U.S. launch of Modern Traveler, which was a media sponsor of the event.

“We support Modern Traveler because we believe it is critical that the ecotourism community spends more time talking to the consumers and potential consumers of ecotourism concerns,” said TIES Executive Director David Sollitt. “Modern Traveler holds the promise of just such a venue, giving travelers a vehicle to learn, and to be enticed, enthralled and embraced.”

Modern Traveler is dedicated to supporting the movement toward ethical, responsible and sustainable travel by educating readers about responsible tourism and promoting those who work to provide sustainable travel opportunities. It will be printed on eco-friendly paper and created using sustainable printing techniques. One percent of Modern Traveler's subscription revenue will support indigenous or local peoples practicing sustainable tourism. For more information visit www.moderntravelermagazine.com.