Workshop Session Two

Session Two

Tuesday, May 15, 09:00 - 11:00

I.2. Addressing Poverty and Sustainable Development through Ecotourism
Key Issues: Ecotourism as a tool for poverty alleviation; Achieving economic, as well as environmental, sustainability through ecotourism; Sustainable destination development and management

• Giulia Carbone, Business and Biodiversity, IUCN (Organizer & Moderator)
• 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”

II.2. Coastal and Ocean Ecotourism
Key Issues: Local communities’ involvement in ecotourism and coastal resource management; Tourism and its impact on coastal environment and destinations; Coastal and ocean ecotourism activities and their roles in protecting and enhancing the local environment

• Peter E. Richards, Marketing Manager, The Responsible Ecological Social Tours Project (REST) - “Community based Tourism as a tool for community development and coastal resource management: A case study of Leeled Community, Surrathani province, Thailand”
• Heike I. Vester, Biologist, Ocean Sounds - “Whale Watching and Ecotourism: A Field Study in Northern Norway”
• Bodhi Garrett, Director, Andaman Discoveries

III.2. Marketing Ecotourism
Key Issues: Effective marketing tools and media outreach for ecotourism; Low-cost marketing tips for SMEs; Effective use of the Internet for marketing and advertising; Understanding the current state of the ecotourism market

• Stefanos Fotiou, Tourism Program Officer, UNEP-DTIE (Organizer & Moderator)
• Antonis B. Petropoulos, Director, ECOCLUB®, International Ecotourism Club™ - “Defining and Uniting the Global Ecotourism Movement through Improved Communication”
• Ariane Janér, Technical Coordinator, EcoBrasil - “The Brazil Experience: Media Outreach, Effective Use of Marketing Tools for Ecotouris
• Habis Alsamawi, Professor, Geography of Tourism, University of Jordan - Perceptions and Preferences of Tourists Towards Selected Ecotourism Destinations in Bahrain
  

IV.2. Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility in Travel & Tourism
Key Issues: Opportunities for growth and partnerships for ecotourism stakeholders; CSR marketing strategies; Business’ contributions to sustainable local development

• Jane Crouch, Responsible Travel Manager, Intrepid Travel - “CSR - Practicing What You Preach”
• Martha Honey, Executive Director, Center on Ecotourism and Sustainable Development (CESD) - “Travelers’ Philanthropy: A Growing Global Initiative”
• Christy McCarthy, Community Relations Manager, WorldNomads.com - “The Footprints Network - the Power of Many”
• Gopinath Parayil, Founder and Chief Executive, The Blue Yonder (TBY) - “Defining Social Responsibility - The Blue Yonder experience in Kerala”

Session One
Session Three
Session Four
Session Five