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| Media Release | |||
Ecotourism Australia Conference will bring together top names in travel and environment Ecotourism Australia has confirmed an impressive line-up of top speakers and a stimulating program of workshops for its 2007 national conference to be held in Melbourne and Victorian regional locations from 19 to 23 November. Keynote speakers will include Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet books; Dr Graeme Pearman who was Chief of Atmospheric Research at CSIRO between 1992–2002 and was science advisor to Al Gore during his recent visit to Australia; and Darrell Wade, CEO of Intrepid Travel a pioneering adventure travel company that now takes 50,000 travellers to over 90 countries every year. CEO of Ecotourism Australia, Stephen Pahl, urged all those interested in being part of the current debate on travel, environment and climate change to save the conference dates and register for more details. “This is the largest and most credible line-up of travel, environmental and ecotourism experts to gather together anywhere in Australia this year and will be a unique opportunity for exchanging ideas and plans for the future,” Stephen said. “In addition to environmental and travel industry speakers, we will bring together government ministers and state tourism office representatives to consider the challenges facing ecotourism and the sustainability of the tourism industry. “There will be plenary sessions to be held in some of Victoria’s best eco destinations and a full day of workshops for tourism operators who want to enhance their ecotourism business. “This is a pivotal point, not just for the future of Australian tourism but also for the future of many of our most treasured natural environments. “Decisions being made now will have an impact for generations and we intend that the Ecotourism Australia Conference 2007 will provide a forum to consider the issues in depth and for experts from related fields to cross-fertilise ideas,” Stephen said. The Conference is sponsored by Tourism Victoria, Parks Victoria and Department of Sustainability and Environment and there will be an attractive program of social and travel opportunities allowing delegates to network and to discover the ecotourism attractions of Victoria. For more details, visit www.ecotourism.org.au/conference/expressions.asp and register your interest. Ecotourism Australia is the peak national body for the ecotourism industry. It aims to grow and promote ecotourism and to assist tourism operators to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially and culturally responsible. It is a non-profit organisation with membership that includes tour operators, ecotourism accommodation, tourism planners, protected area managers, academics and students, regional tourism associations and travellers. Ecotourism Australia’s certification program is a world first. It provides objective monitoring and auditing of organisations’ ecotourism claims and provides travel agents and tourists with an assurance of best practice ecological sustainability, natural area management and quality ecotourism experiences. ENDS For more information contact: |