17 November 2007

Keynote speaker questions whether ecotourism is just a buzz word

DESPITE Ecotourism providing a tool for sustainable development to conserve natural areas of environmental and cultural significance, some question whether the sector destroys more biodiversity than it protects. At Ecotourism Australia’s National Conference in Melbourne and regional Victoria from November 19-23, Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler discusses if ‘ecotourism’ is a real global challenge or just another tourism buzzword. He will also consider whether our world can withstand an estimated 1.5 billion people travelling annually by the year 2020 and whether flying less is actually doing the earth more damage. “Travel and tourism can have a large and ugly footprint and our duty is to maximise the good things tourism does and minimise its dangers and drawbacks,” Mr. Wheeler said.

Themed, Leading Global Challenges, Ecotourism Australia Chairman Alastair McCracken says climate change and what the Ecotourism industry is doing to address issues is the focus of this year’s conference. “Attendees want to hear industry leaders debate challenges and propose solutions to climate change,” Mr. McCracken said.  “Our Ecotourism Certification Program is a world first and has become a key developmental model for many countries around the world. Ecotourism and nature-based tourism certification provides industry, protected area managers, local communities and travellers with a guaranteed commitment to best practice ecological sustainability, natural area management and the provision of quality ecotourism experiences,” Mr. McCracken said.

Some ten keynote speakers and more than 20 plenary session delegates have been drawn, nationally and internationally, from a knowledge base of private sector operators; NGOs; National Parks and Protected Area Managers, State and Regional Tourism Organisations, Government agencies; education institutions; consultants; and the media. Best practice case studies also address critical challenges such as overcoming indigenous tourism issues, balancing park protection and use, educating future leaders, branding and destination planning, understanding changing tourism markets and community attitudes, and nurturing partnerships.

A major draw card this year is a two-day excursion to one of three flourishing examples of sustainability of Bendigo and the Goldfields in North Western Victoria, the Grampians National Park in the South West, and Mt Buller in the North East. The Victorian Government’s Department of Sustainability and Environment, Tourism Victoria and Parks Victoria are major sponsors of the Ecotourism Australia Conference in Melbourne and regional Victoria from November 19-23. For further information visit: www.ecotourism.org.au/conference/

For more information contact:
Kym Cheatham, Chief Executive Officer,
Ecotourism Australia
E: ceo@ecotourism.org.au M: 0427 279 414
www.ecotourism.org.au
ABN 92 909 103 274

The Ecotourism Australia vision: "To be leaders in assisting ecotourism and other committed tourism operations to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially and culturally responsible".
Ecotourism Australia was formed in 1991 as an incorporated non-profit organisation, and is the peak national body for the ecotourism industry. Ecotourism Australia aims to grow and promote ecotourism and to assist tourism operators to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially and culturally responsible.

Membership includes tour operators, ecotourism accommodation, tourism planners, protected area managers, academics and students, regional tourism associations and travellers.
Ecotourism Australia’s certification program ECO 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.

Ecotourism Australia recently added ROC (Respect Our Culture) Certification for Indigenous Tourism operators and Climate Action Australia Certification to help the tourism industry work towards a more sustainable future.

In 2008, Ecotourism Australia was awarded the prestigious World Travel and Tourism Council “Tourism for Tomorrow” Award for Conservation at the World Tourism Summit in recognition of Ecotourism Australia’s significant contribution to the conservation and preservation of natural heritage.