NatureAir Joins World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism - Travel

New York (Nov. 28, 2007) - NatureAir announced today that it has joined the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (WHA) as a partner. The WHA is an industry-leading initiative; it was founded by Expedia, Inc. and the United Nations Foundation, to support UNESCO's goal of promoting and protecting the 851 World Heritage sites around the world.

"NatureAir became carbon neutral three years ago and joining the WHA is very important to NatureAir, because as an airline - we are the link between destinations of origin and those of WHA sites and parks. The fact that the aerial link is also sustainable and supporting the destination creates a true sustainable package," says NatureAir Founder and CEO, Alex Khajavi.

NatureAir voluntarily compensates 100% of its carbon emissions, through its preservation of tropical forests. In 2006 NatureAir was able to offset 6,320 tons of carbon output, and to date more than 65 acres of forests have been preserved. The land is protected because of the funds NatureAir commits to local landowners. In addition, NatureAir keeps their carbon output down by improvements made in their operations, scheduling and flight plans.

"We're pleased to have NatureAir joining the partnership," said Erika Harms, executive director of the World Heritage Alliance. "Together we have the power to reach millions of people around the world and help both preserve and protect some of the world's most beautiful and significant sites."

By the end of 2007, there will be 52 members and partners of the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism - up from 17 in 2006 including, Expedia Inc. and the UN Foundation. These members and partners will be working in 7 countries to aid in the conservation of at least 20 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

All WHA members were recognized this week at a series of events in New York, including a dinner and symposium discussing important issues related to World Heritage and sustainable tourism.

The WHA offers two levels of partnership, each being committed to advancing the WHA mission: WHA members and WHA associate partners. WHA members consist of travel industry companies, such as hotels, tour operators, travel agents, airlines and cruises, among others. WHA associate partners are NGOs, civil society groups, government bodies, industry associations and other organizations that may not exclusively be devoted to tourism.

Each WHA member is committed to:

* Implementing the World Heritage Alliance principles, a set of guidelines developed in consultation between the UN Foundation, Expedia, UNESCO World Heritage Centre and National Geographic that foster greater attention to social, cultural and environmental sustainability within their business.* Participating in staff training programs by enrolling staff in occasional in-person or online training courses organized by the WHA that educate about the key issues related to World Heritage and sustainable tourism. * Educating the traveling public about World Heritage by providing informational materials, exclusive packages to World Heritage destinations, volunteer opportunities with local communities, and the ability for customers to purchase goods and services that are rooted in local cultures and environments.* Supporting community development around World Heritage sites by working with local communities to build and enhance sustainable tourism opportunities for travelers and to provide markets for locally produced sustainable goods and services. * Engaging employees to support the local community through WHA volunteer programs and other opportunities that allow employees to work side-by-side with community-based initiatives. * Supporting the United Nations in its efforts to encourage sustainable tourism and the protection of World Heritage sites through the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

About NatureAirSince its inception in 2000, NatureAir has grown from flying 18,000 passengers annually to more than 150,000 in 2007. The company got its start with one plane and 17 employees. Now it has a fleet of eight planes and more than 150 employees. It's the only twin-engine airline in Costa Rica with both scheduled and chartered flights, and offers 74 daily flights to 17 destinations in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. For more information visit:Costa Rica Vacation Travel and Airline Flights on Nature Air

About the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable TourismThe World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (WHA) works to support World Heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, and local economic development for communities in and around World Heritage sites. The WHA for sustainable tourism was founded by the UN Foundation and Expedia in the fall of 2005 to support UNESCO's goal of promoting and protecting World Heritage sites.

About Expedia, Inc.Expedia, Inc. is the world's leading online travel company, empowering business and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to easily research, plan, book and experience travel. Expedia, Inc. also provides wholesale travel to offline retail travel agents and in-destination concierge service and activity desks for travelers. The Expedia, Inc. portfolio of brands includes: Expedia.com, hotels.com, Hotwire, Expedia Corporate Travel, TripAdvisor, Expedia Local Expert, Classic Vacations and eLong. Expedia, Inc.'s companies operate more than 50 global points of sale with sites in North America, South America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Expedia, Inc. was recently added to the S&P 500 index. NASDAQ: EXPE).

About the UN FoundationThe UN Foundation was created in 1998 with entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner's historic $1 billion gift to support UN causes and activities. The UN Foundation builds and implements public-private partnerships to address the world's most pressing problems, and also works to broaden support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach. The UN Foundation is a public charity.

About the World Heritage CentreThe World Heritage Centre is the focal point and coordinator within the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for all matters related to World Heritage. It acts as the Secretariat of the World Heritage Committee, organizing its statutory meetings, developing and proposing policy on its behalf and actively ensuring the implementation of activities in accordance with its decisions and in co-operation with the States Parties and the Advisory Bodies (ICCROM, ICOMOS and IUCN). It provides advice to States Parties on the preparation of Tentative Lists and nominations to the World Heritage List and assures their receipt, registration, archiving and transmission to ICOMOS and/or IUCN. It also coordinates studies and activities in support of the Global Strategy for a balanced, representative and credible World Heritage List. The Centre organizes International Assistance from the World Heritage Fund, coordinates the P eriodic Reporting exercise and reactive monitoring on the state of conservation of World Heritage properties as well as the emergency action undertaken when a property is threatened. It organizes technical seminars and workshops, and updates the World Heritage List and database, and promotes the World Heritage Convention to the general public.

The World Heritage Centre coordinates its activities with those of other multilateral cultural and environmental agreements, UNESCO cultural and natural heritage conventions and recommendations, to ensure complementarily and synergy. The Centre also identifies and implements regional and thematic programmes, and mobilizes additional financial and technical resources to ensure the conservation and management of World Heritage properties in partnership with other UN agencies, development banks, conservation NGOs, research institutions, foundations and the corporate sector.

Expedia and Expedia.com are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Classic Vacations is either a trademark or registered trademark of Classic Vacations, LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. hotels.com is either a trademark or registered trademark of hotels.com, L.P., a subsidiary of hotels.com in the U.S. and/or other countries. Hotwire is either a trademark or registered trademark of Hotwire, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. TripAdvisor is either a trademark or registered trademark of TripAdvisor, LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

2007 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST: 2029030-40

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How To Pick A Small Business Business Accounting Program For Your Business - Business - Entrepreneurship

Picking the small business accounting software you will use for your business can be a big decision. Once you select a software program it can be very difficult and costly to switch systems later if you are unhappy with your selection. That is why it is a good idea to thoroughly review all of your options before making the decision for your small business.Some of the key factors that should be reviewed when selecting a small business accounting software program for your small business are

1. Cost

2. Learning curve

3. Input efficiency

4. Reporting capabilities

5. Flexibility

In more detail here is what you should be looking for in each of the above key factors

1. CostCompare the costs all the various programs you are considering. Ensure to take into account if the program cost is a one time payment or an on going monthly fee. On going monthly fee programs can sometimes be very expensive if you need to pay the monthly fee for as long as you use the small business accounting software program. Cost is not the only factor though, weight the other features of the programs against their cost as it might make sense to pay a little more for an accounting software program that has more features, is easier to use or is just more flexible.

2. Learning curveTake into account how long it is going to take you to learn the system. If an accounting program will take days or weeks to learn there is significant cost to your business by selecting a small business accounting software program of that nature. There is a lot of value in having a system that can be learned quickly by yourself or future employees.

3. Input efficiencyTake into account how long it will take to make journal entries and run reports. If with one accounting system you will be able to enter twice as many accounting entries per hour versus another program, definitely choose the program that is quicker to work with. The less time you spend entering your accounting transactions the more time you have to run your business and make more money.

4. Reporting capabilitiesOne of the key differentiators between small business accounting software programs is the reporting features available within a given system. Reporting on your financial results is critical to managing your business that is why you need to make sure the program you purchase can easily deliver the reports you need. Many accounting programs have set reports that can not be modified. If you are considering a software system of this nature it is critical you ensure the standard reports can not be customized to include the information you want and need.

5. FlexibilityFinally the fifth factor to consider when selecting a small business accounting software program is the flexibility of the program. Flexibility includes the ease at which the necessary information can be extracted from the system. It also includes how easy it is to make correcting entries or the ability to transfer the program from one computer to another. The last thing you want to have happen is have all of your accounting information locked into your small business accounting software program but not be able to access or modify it in the way you want.

When making your final decision on the small business accounting software you will choose you should weight how each option you are reviewing compares on all 5 of these factors and also determine which of the 5 factors is most important to your particular business and situation. Only you know what your small business accounting software program needs to be able to do. If you follow this process you will make a smart informed decision that will result in the selection of a small business accounting software program that is right for your business.If you are in the market for a small business accounting software program check out Profitworks' Easy To Use Accounting Software program by clicking on the link below./joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63

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What You Need to Know about Business Accounting - Business - Business Ideas

What You Need to Know about Business Accounting

Businesses are an important economic pipeline for the United States just as they are in other countries. The way a business tracks their finances and reports their profits effects the way the economy grows or shrinks because the money that a business makes is circulated through all walks of life. Companies like Enron, WorldCom, Freddie Mac and others who make bad business accounting decisions shake the economy at its foundation and destroy the lives of investors who help to make our economy whole. Business accounting is a way for firms to account for profits and losses they have sustained.

Executive level pay is based upon company performance. If the performance of a company is not reported in a proper manner, executives make money that far exceeds what the business is capable of and creates a false picture of a company's performance. This false reporting causes the stock market to balloon by rewarding stock to companies who do not deserve it, and these methods have a bad effect on our economy. Business accounting that honor the GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Practices) creates a transparent persona, an air of trust and respect, from the users of their financial statements.

Many smaller businesses, especially those that are not publicly traded, do not use the GAAP for their business accounting methods because they do not see the need to disclose their financial statements. This decision allows for discrepancies and inaccuracies in financial reporting, and users of these financial statements should make it a point to ask whether companies are using GAAP in their business accounting. Maintaining the proper financial books is important to the structure of a business. Business accounting books provide a way to determine how to make businesses more profitable by increasing certain kinds of production or cutting costs to save money in the future.

The success of a business depends greatly on the ability to be fair in accounting practices and keeping proper books. Adhering to guidelines that ensure a business is being upfront about what they are reporting gives a business credibility and ensures that their gains are genuine. It is responsible to hire professionals that are capable of adhering to those GAAP guidelines instead of using short-cuts or cutting corners in business accounting practices because the attention to detail shows integrity. Both larger businesses and smaller businesses alike can offer financial statements that provide an appropriate picture of their profits and losses by following the GAAP.

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Accounting Website Marketing: Blog a Path to Success - Marketing

Potential clients will always form a first impression of an accounting firm. This often comes from their online presence. This is a great chance to generate good CPA websites that are visually appealing to prospects. It is also a chance to list information and details about accounting services the firm provides, and a chance to convert visitors into customers. A solid way to do this is to create a blog for the firm's web site.

In the modern online world, blogging has become increasingly important, allowing people to share their personal thoughts and businesses to showcase their professional expertise. Well-written blogs on CPA websites allow potential clients to get to know the firm, present its accountants as easily accessible to current clients, and establish the practice as a subject matter expert in the field of accounting.

While creating professional blogs for CPA websites, it is wise to consider the following strategies. They should also be kept in mind as the blog is maintained in the future.

When creating a blog on a firm's website, the firm is creating content as its own publisher. Posting to a CPA blog often so that the blog stays fresh is important. It is also important that an accounting firm doesn't just try to sell services in its blog, because readers will lose interest. The blog should offer something of value. Accountant website blogs should be clear, concise and contain good grammar, while sharing accounting expertise with readers.

Setting accounting firms apart from their competition is a great strategy. Accounting is relevant to all taxpayers. Successful CPA blogs offer readers a chance to educate themselves. A solid strategy is blog posts with tax filing tips and current information about tax law. When blogs offer something of value, readers will want to come back. Accounting blogs are a great place to list the services the practice provides to its clients. They are also a good place to answer questions. This type of interactivity creates a loyal reader base.

Accounting practices need to share their blogs with others in their professional networks and in their fields. It is important that they promote their blogs on their CPA websites and print the names on their business cards. The more popular CPA blogs become, the more search engine authority they earn. This drives traffic to the blogs and brings more leads.

A critical part of keeping successful CPA blogs is that the authors should keep current with what interests readers. An excellent strategy is to periodically conduct a survey that asks blog readers what their concerns are. Surveys should offer a few topics to see if they spark interest. It is also a good idea to provide an open-ended response to see what readers have to say without being prompted.

Blogging is a tremendous opportunity to boost search engine rankings for modern CPA websites. Every blog post is a new chance to be listed in the search engines, and the key is getting people to visit accounting blogs with regularity. Accounting practices benefit by having their brand visible to prospects and current clients. It also presents dynamic content to the search engines to boost listings.

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How to Fill in Your Tax Return If You Are Self Employed - Finance - Taxes

Before you do anything, have you registered as self-employed with HMRC? This is important because you will need to have a UTR (unique tax reference) to be able to file your tax return. Having said that if you are self-employed it will be quicker and easier if you gather together and sort out all the relevant information before you start. Therefore it is important to get your books and records up to date so that you have a clear schedule of your income and expenses and any other income received in the year. Typically you should ask yourself the following:-1. Are my books and records up to date.2. Have I got details of any interest I have received on savings in a UK bank or building society? (except ISA's)3. Have I got details of any other income received in the tax year such as benefits, dividends, pensions?4. Did I sell any shares or property in the tax year? If so you must calculate whether there is any capital gains tax due. In 2010/11 the first 10,100 of any capital gai n is exempt.OK. Now you are ready to begin.Step one -Are you going to complete a paper return or file online?

Decide if you want to fill in a paper return or complete and file your return online. Filing online has many advantages, including longer deadlines, 24-hour access and instant tax calculations.As well as using the FREE HMRC filing service you can now also purchase a number of commercial tax return software, at various costs.Step two -Make sure you complete the right pages

Make sure you have got the right pages. For the self-employed you have a choice of two options.1. Self-employment (full)2. Self-employment (short)Use the Self-employment (full) pages if:

Your turnover was 67,000 or more (or would have been if you had traded for a full year) You have changed your accounting date

The results of your accounts, made up to a date in the year to5 April 2009, have been declared on a previous Tax Return You no longer prepare your accounts on the 'cash basis', but have changed to generally accepted accounting practice (GAAP) (also known as the 'true and fair basis') You provide services under contracts for professional or other services and these contracts span your accounting date You are a practising barrister (advocate in Scotland) Your business is carried on abroad You wish to claim Agricultural or Industrial Buildings Allowance, or other capital allowances for items apart from equipment and machinery Your basis period - that is the self-employed period for which you are taxable - is not the same as your accounting period You wish to claim 'overlap relief' You are a farmer, market gardener or a creator of literary or artistic works and you wish to claim averaging You want to make an adjustment to your profits chargeable to Class 4NICs (for example, b ecause your profits include earnings as an employee).Otherwise you can use the self employment (short) pages.

Step three -You are now ready to complete your return

Complete all the pages that you have to for your return. HMRC provide guidance notes to help you, including notes on the self-employment pages.If you need more help completing your tax return, or need more general advice about Self Assessment, you can contact the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Self Assessment Helpline on 0845 9000 444.Step four - calculate your tax

Finally, calculate how much tax you owe. If you file your return online, this will be done for you automatically. If the total of your business profits and any other taxable income is more than your tax free allowances, you'll pay tax on the difference. The tax due will be included on your Self Assessment Statement.

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What Is Small Business Accounting Software - Computers - Software

It is rightly said that starting anything new and most importantly a new business is not a cakewalk. Accounting is known as the language of business. When you are starting your business, one obviously starts from the small. Now, the scale of the business, i.e. whether it is big or small does influence the selection of the accounting software. According to today's time, it has become a norm to get this software. It is considered as one of the first steps you take when you are start a business. And if all facts are seen, then it is more mandatory to get such a software because it is difficult to hire a full time accountant to manage the financial records for someone who is just starting new in the business.

It is best and advisable to get accounting software that will help you solve all issues and ease all activities of your business that involve calculating, analyzing and formulating all your financial data. It saves a lot of your time, gives most accurate reports and also predicts the future revenues and reports. This kind of software has formula and tax slabs fed in the software itself, which enable easy calculation. The accurate calculations also help in avoiding any fraudulent tasks or scam that is very common in business nowadays.

Small business accounting software caters to the needs of especially small business and organizations. While selecting proper software of this kind, you have to keep in mind that the accounting software has to be user-friendly. This would also include the compatibility of it with the computer and its other software. The selection also depends a lot on what you are selling; it could be just some service or material products. The kind of marketing often influences the selection, as good marketing will give you good flow of data and work. This would lead to an increase in the need of proper accounting software. There are also different kinds of accounting software like mid-market software, low end accounting, high end accounting and personal accounting. Choose the one that matches your business need.

The software will help you handle all tasks really well, this would lead to the proper running of the business from the start, that will eventually lead to the success and flourishing of the business. You can select your software from the advice available on such kind of websites that help you with their suggestions. Before purchasing accounting software you can do some online research. You can take advice from websites that guide you through the entire process.

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Running an Effective Small Business Accounting System - Business - Small Business

In SMB organization, there is almost no difference than organization of a mega business. In 21st century economies based on the ideals of globalization and international trade, size only matters so far. Any small company can reach out to overseas markets and international clientele. But when the machinery of a large company needs much more manpower, an SMB has to keep to smaller workforces. Of course, their scopes and resources are limited too, but hiring a huge team for one task is often an extra pressure. This is why effective tools like a good small business accounting system or an Internet based communications system is needed to ensure more work from a smaller team.

Technology and software solutions have made our world faster and easier than ever before. Taking the channels that broadband Internet and high end devices have opened, everything from commerce to social interaction has become a smoother process. Today, distance doesnt hold a factor in correspondence any more. Advertising and marketing are cheap and easy. Almost any possible avenue of commercial interest and pursuit is encompassed under the advantages of the Internet.

Apart from the external factors of running and enterprise, technology has given SMBs tools for better internal management as well. There are software solutions and custom programs written specifically for companies. Everything from recruitment records and resume managers, to small business accounting systems technology has provided it all. Here are some of the more important integral management software tools used by companies big and small

Recruitment management software that help sort resumes, help in salary tracking, keep administrative notes and keep employment tabs

Communication systems like Skype and AOL that allow free audio and video conferences, webinars, and provide complete commercial correspondence channels

Small business accounting systems that help you keep impeccable and accurate tabs on your income and expenses, one of the most sensitive and basic processes of business

Online data management systems like Google Documents or more custom made software solutions prepared to help a company integrate and assimilate all their employees into a common virtual working platform

Server solutions like antivirus and security protocol software that protect the sensitive and integral documents of a company safe from prying eyes and corporate espionage

The idea of running and SMB has changed over the last decade. What was once seen as gambling ventures by banks and financiers, as well as businessmen; have become quite the important milestone of contemporary commerce . In 21st century economics, entrepreneurs are running ahead of the biggest multinational giants with software solutions like small business , sensitive data security protocols and powerful communication tools.

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