Theme I PP
Theme I: Ecotourism and Local Sustainable Development
Theme II: Ecotourism and Nature Conservation
Theme III: Communication, Education and Global Branding for Ecotourism
Theme IV: Critical Issues and Current Trends in Ecotourism
I.1. Local Partnerships for Community-Based Ecotourism
- Karl Våtvik, Svalbard Villmarkssenter AS - “Development of Sustainable Tourism on Svalbard 78°N”
- Steven Schipani, Team Leader, Community-Based Tourism Component, LNTA-ADB Mekong Tourism Development Project - “The Use of Cooperative Agreements as a Tool to Underpin Community-Based Ecotourism Development and Conservation in the Lao PDR”
- Amos Sironka Tinnia, Manager, Basecamp Explorer Kenya - “Realistic partnerships for community involvement in local conservation and tourism development”
- James Hanrahan, Sligo Institute Ireland - “The Role & Experience of Local Partnership in Developing Ecotourism in Greenbox Ireland”
I.2. Addressing Poverty and Sustainable Development through Ecotourism
- Eugenio Yunis, Head of Sustainable Tourism, UNWTO - “Tackling Poverty through Tourism in or around Protected Areas”
- Marielies E.W. Schelhaas, Head Unit Ecology & Economy, Coordinator Tourism & Biodiversity Program, IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands (IUCN NL) – “Destination Conservation; Protecting Nature by developing tourism”
- Andee Davidson, Tourism and Business Specialist, WWF LIFE Plus Project - “Local Enterprise Development in Action – The Namibian Experience”
- Julian Mathews, Founder Director, Discovery Initiatives - “The Role of the Private Sector in Promoting Sustainable Development”
I.3. The Role of Agroecotourism in Sustainable Local Development
- Christina Cavaliere, Director of Training and Education, TIES (Moderator & Presenter) - “Agroecotourism as a vehicle to promote sustainable agriculture and market-linked conservation: definitions and global case studies”
- Todd Comen, Director, Institute for Integrated Rural Tourism / Associate Professor, Johnson State College - “Enriching the Ecotourism Experience by Featuring Rural Life Patterns”
I.4. Fair trade, Cultural Heritage and Ecotourism
- Arild Molstad, Journalist, Photographer, Film Producer & Tourism Consultant (Moderator & Presenter)
- Jennifer Marcy, Crafts Center Manager, The Crafts Center at CHF International - “Innovative Initiatives to Increase Market Access & Promote Artisan Entrepreneurship through Ecotourism and Fair Trade”
- Graziella Rizza, Programme Manager Research Unit North South Consultants Exchange - “Ecotourism with a Human Dimension”
- Michelle Bachir, Trail Development and Promotion Coordinator, ECODIT - The Lebanon Mountain Trail project & Pascal Abdallah, Member of the Lebanon Mountain Trail Association - “The Lebanon Mountain Trail: Celebrating a Shared Heritage”
I.5. Ecotourism and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Arthur Pedersen, Programnme Specialist on Heritage and Tourism, UNESCO World Heritage Centre - “WHS and Ecotourism – Lessons learned, opportunities and future challenges: the importance of World Heritage Sites for communities and tourism”
- Francisco Ursúa, Director, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve/CONANP - “Community-based ecotourism ventures in Sian Ka’an World Heritage Site, México”
- Ivar-Bjarne Underdal, Project Manager, Nærøyfjord World Heritage Park - “The Nærøyfjord World Heritage Park: a concept in the spirit of ecotourism”
