Global Ecotourism Conference 2007

Indigenous Ecotourism Workshop

Indigenous Peoples discussing Indigenous Issues

The Global Ecotourism Conference 2007 represents an ongoing commitment of TIES, in partnership with national and regional ecotourism associations, in maintaining the highest level of up-to-date industry trends and research. In this context, TIES has created a specific forum in the Indigenous Ecotourism Workshop to support Indigenous Peoples internationally in presenting alternate perspectives, knowledges and current Indigenous issues in ecotourism and Indigenous community development. TIES plans to continue offering international forums for Indigenous Peoples and providing industry information and support for Indigenous communities through the Indigenous Ecotourism Workshop at the future Global Ecotourism Conferences, as well as through development of an online platform.

Aims of Workshop

GEC07 Indigenous Ecotourism Workshop aims:

To create a culturally aware environment for Indigenous Peoples to speak and discuss deeper cultural and environmental issues of community engagement with Ecotourism.
To identify the many roles Indigenous Peoples play in Ecotourism.
To explore the unique needs of individual community development requirements.
To discuss micro community requirements regarding skills development and business ready plans.
To discuss how to identify legitimate and equitable corporate partnerships.
To identify culturally appropriate community governance strategies.
To share differences and commonalities in Indigenous community economic development requirements.
To share similarities in community experience with dominant corporate and government development intervention.
To discuss methods implemented by individual communities to counteract such dominance and maintain cultural integrity.
To explore Indigenous formulated business equity frameworks.
To discuss and analyze the benefits and pitfalls of Ecotourism Certification programs for Indigenous communities and Ecotourism businesses.

The above list is extensive and the workshop cannot possibly address all of these comprehensively. However, the primary aim of the workshop is to touch on these important topics and create an interest in further investigation. The workshop is designed to value and prioritizes Indigenous perspectives in ongoing Indigenous community, development focusing on ecotourism as a vehicle for Indigenous community economic sustainable growth.

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TIES Report on GEC07 Indigenous Ecotourism Workshop

On Wednesday, May 16, 2007, TIES hosted a special meeting for indigenous representatives at the Global Ecotourism Conference 2007 (GEC07) and others interested in topics around ecotourism and indigenous peoples. The Workshop was organized and facilitated by Annie Vanderwyk (Ngarrindjeri Nation, South Australia / University of Newcastle, Australia), and attended by 30+ participants including TIES staff and Board members.

Annie, along with the workshop participant Lois Peeler (representing the Aboriginal Tourism Australia), has submitted the following suggestions for TIES and the global ecotourism community, on behalf of the GEC07 Indigenous Ecotourism Workshop.

The ecotourism industry should:

Assist in the development of skills development programs and certification programs that provide authentic cultural tourism experiences and primarily protect the integrity of Indigenous cultures while providing broad-based, sustainable tourism development opportunities for Indigenous communities.
Develop strategies to engage and empower local communities in planning and decision making about the management and future development of tourism in their areas, which will assist in the development of strategies to manage both positive and negative impacts of tourism on their lands.
Provide industry guidelines that develop and enhance environmental management, assist in planning and implementing minimal impact operations, and provide for cultural site protection and land management strategies.
Develop guidelines for establishing processes with local Indigenous communities to ensure that cultural authority is maintained at the local level, and incorporate objectives of supporting the development of key business skills to improve sustainable business and economic management performance.
Facilitate and encourage the ecotourism industry to operate with integrity and respect to enhance the cultural heritage and living cultures of local and Indigenous communities, and so preserve their cultural, social, religious and spiritual values.
Address the obvious gap in the ability of Indigenous businesses, individuals and communities to access information and practical tools to assist them with tourism industry development, whether at the initial start up or for the professional development of existing operations.

As noted above, at the GEC07 Indigenous Ecotourism Workshop, TIES pledged to continue offering platforms, through TIES future events and online forums, for Indigenous communities to gather and discuss common issues and challenges, network with each other, and gain and strengthen skills and knowledge. In this context, TIES will take the above recommendations by the Indigenous representatives at GEC07, and pledge to strive to incorporate these key issues into TIES policies and strategies.

David Sollitt,
Executive Director
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)