Ecotourism Australia Conference

Keith Sproule
Ecotourism Advisor to the
Supreme Commission for Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Keith Sproule is internationally recognized for his experience in areas of tourism planning, investment facilitation and community enterprise development.

His hybrid career includes positions in the public, private and NGO sectors. He has managed large land acquisition and development projects in the US and the Caribbean and served as a senior policy advisor to government ministries on three continents.

Mr. Sproule has worked and travelled to over 85 countries, with regions of extended experience in Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa.

He is a recent two-term Chairman of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and continues to serve on the Executive Committee. He is presently the Ecotourism Advisor to the Supreme Commission for Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This joint presentation will focus on the impact Australia has had on ecotourism policy and planning internationally, from perhaps, a unique perspective.

Presenters Kelly Bricker & Keith Sproule, the current chair and recent-past-chair of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) will reflect on their personal and professional experiences drawing from, being inspired by, and occasionally running from, some of the ecotourism policies and practices in Australia.

Of particular interest to the speakers is Australia's approach to marine protected area management, respect for indigenous cultures, parks management, and ecotourism certification.

The speakers will conclude their presentation with thoughts about the importance (dare we say obligation?) of sharing organizational experiences with regional and national ecotourism Societies as they continue to emerge internationally.

The speakers acknowledge their US heritage, a fact clearly to the detriment of their pronunciation, but hopefully entertaining for those who like to "taawwk over caawwffee."

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