Discussion about entry

BrazilMax: Bill Hinchbeger's online travel guide to Brazil

por Bill Hinchberger | Feb 19, 2008
482 lecturas | 14 Comentarios

This is discussion about BrazilMax: Bill Hinchbeger's online travel guide to Brazil.

Support for BrazilMax

por Scott Rains | Feb 19, 2008
 

I research, write, and lecture on travel. Although I am from the US I had opportunities to study and travel in Brazil as early as high school, followed by study during college, and now chances to travel there professionally. Over that period I've picked up a lot of firsthand experience, contacts, and favorite places. Whenever anyone asks me how to travel in Brazil I send them to BrazilMax.

BrazilMax.com is an extraordinary destination resource -- great production values, intelligent writing, relevant locations covered, and an active Forum. Even so I send people there because of Bill Hinchberger himself.

I write on a very specific travel niche -- travelers with disabilities. For years now Bill has had a keen interest in our community.

Brazil has emerged as one of the world leaders in innovation for our community. We are very active there. Bill has been an always-on-tap resource for me whether I need ideas for a story, fact-checking, or travel services for a friend. He understands one of the key principles of social inclusion -- participation without stigma. He also understands that major contribution of disability culture to tourism, Universal Design. As we say:

Universal Design is human-centered design of everything with everyone in mind... It has a parallel in the green design movement that also offers a framework for design problem solving based on the core value of environmental responsibility. Universal Design and green design are comfortably two sides of the same coin but at different evolutionary stages. Green design focuses on environmental sustainability, Universal Design on social sustainability.

From my specialized perspective and privileged association I affirm that BrazilMax is a strong example of a business that enhances the environment, heritage, culture, aesthetics, and the well-being of the country it serves. It is a uniquely important contributor to the success of Brazil as a destination-of-choice for travelers with disabilities and the emerging generation of Brazilians with disabilities who are inventing new forms of socially-inclusive responsible tourism to serve them. Dr. Scott Rains

BrazilMax and connections

Angela Weber
por Angela Weber | Feb 23, 2008
 

Dear Mr. bill Hinchberger, I am quite interested in your work because I have a sustainable eco tourism development project in a small village called Iraporanga, in Chapada diamantina , Bahia state. The region is unique as it has not been explored by tourism industry. We have a partnership with UFBA - Arqueological Department and we are presenting Petrobras Cultural a project for the communities to explore the rupestrian paintings on the area, wich are inumerous. We also have our project on Bid network in the name of Sustainable eco tourism - Parnaiba. Our main concern is the preservation of culture and enviromment while enhancing the community self esteem. I wish to be in touch with your project. I am currently doing a post graduation on Social Managment at UFBA. thank you. Angela Weber

reply

por Bill Hinchberger | Feb 25, 2008
 

Thanks for the note, Angela. I sent you a direct message through the system, but in case you don't get it just go to http://www.BrazilMax.com and use the "contact" function on the top level menu to reach me. Bill Hinchberger

Hello Bill, It sounds like

por Dana Frasz | Mar 04, 2008
 

Hello Bill, It sounds like BrazilMax is a great way for travelers to find places that suit their interests and expectations. Do you promote all travel locations on your site or only geotourism locations? What emphasis do you put on travel that enhances the culture, people and the place of a certain region? Thanks Dana Frasz Ashoka's Changemakers

Reply to Dana

por Bill Hinchberger | Mar 06, 2008
 

I’m glad to see that you got through, Dana. Others tell me that they’ve had trouble posting here.

I know that Jonathan Tourtellot has a specific definition for geotourism. In general I’d say we stick to the spirit but not the letter of his concept. I strongly believe that sustainable tourism ventures should not be confined to a ghetto of “activist” listings and guides. Our mission at BrazilMax is to provide in-depth, quality information for travelers who really want to get to know Brazil and its people, natural beauty and culture. This means that we often highlight initiatives that would qualify under any definition of geotourism. But we also tell people which restaurants dish up the best feijoada. In the end, even responsible travelers want to have fun.

A Fresh Approach to Brazil Travel

David Stanley
por David Stanley | Mar 25, 2008
 

You can feel the personal touch in BrazilMax.com from the moment the page loads. Instinctively, you sense that you can trust Bill Hinchberger's recommendations and advice. Navigating the site is easy and zooming in on the regional coverage is a snap. I wish more travel destinations had websites as good as this one.

BrazilMax

por Jeff Steiner | Mar 26, 2008
 

Hello, I've never been to Brazil but if I did go, BrazilMax would be the first place I'd look for information. Not only can BrazilMax help plan your vacation but it through its Art and Culture section you can in depth information that most guide books and other web sites don’t cover.

BillsMax travel guide

Leonie Johnsen
por Leonie Johnsen | Abr 16, 2008
 

Hi Bill, great site. I am interested in connecting with you as I have a website and eco-travel guide to New Zealand. Your website has really impressive stats, huge number of incoming links etc and you obviously know what you are doing! I am wondering if you are interested in sharing any knowledge you have about such things, and maybe chat more? Leonie

Sure...

por Bill Hinchberger | Abr 19, 2008
 

... I'd be happy to talk. What's the URL of your website? Bill Hinchberger

BrazilMax is superb

por Bill Montague | Abr 29, 2008
 

BrazilMax is one of the best, if not the best, travel sites I have come across on the web -- not just because of the quality of the content and its obvious editorial independence and integrity, but even more because more than most tourism-related sites, it goes beyond the usual commercial topics (hotels, beaches, night spots, etc.) to give a deeper, more meaningful understanding of Brazil and its amazingly diverse people. I've never been to Brazil, but thanks to BrazilMax I can't wait to go.

Thanks

por Bill Hinchberger | Mayo 18, 2008
 

I'd like to thank everyone who has made the time and effort to post comments here. We look forward to seeing you on BrazilMax - and in Brazil!

Bill Hinchberger

Maps

Ron Mader
por Ron Mader | Mayo 24, 2008
 

What sort of maps do you use on BrazilMax? Also, what sort of improvements/changes in terms of mapping do you forsee in the near future on BrazilMax?

Maps

por Bill Hinchberger | Mayo 26, 2008
 

Publishing and/or linking to good quality, useful maps is a real challenge. I think maps are one realm where print still beats online. But I'm open to suggetions. Anybody?

Bill Hinchberger

Maps

Ron Mader
por Ron Mader | Mayo 27, 2008
 

I am slowly adding some maps to Planeta. There are a number of options, including Google Maps. For examples, check out http://forum.planeta.com/viewtopic.php?t=938