Ecotourism Associations
and Organisations
One of the features of eco tourism based organisations
and associations around the world, is that each will
have a unique focus depending on the issues that are
important to them. In some places it's the environment
and sustainability, in others, cultural and socio-economic
impacts are the significant considerations, so organisation
goals and Codes of Coduct,
Practice & Operational Guidelines will vary accordingly.
International
- UNEP
Tourism Programme Link to the home page
of the United Nations Environment Programme
- Tourism sector. Great resources for
Governments, industry, consultants and students. "Why
is UNEP concerned with tourism? After
decades of sustained growth in volume and
visibility, tourism is one of the leading
global industries (11% of global GDP) and
one of the major migratory movements in modern
society (about 700 million international
travelers in 2001), producing significant
impacts on resource consumption, pollution,
and social systems. It can be compared in
its deleterious impacts and environmental
risks to any other major industry. On the
other hand, tourism is a unique tool for
awareness building and learning for guests
and hosts alike. Sound natural and cultural
environments are its basic assets, while
peace is one of its basic requirements." This
link provides a concise and comprehensive
explanation of the programme and its goals.
- EarthFoot's
Free Ecotour Posterboard Simple and effective
design, text link based, providing a place
to find the tour guide or small (1 to 4-6
people) group tour, for activities ranging
from birdwatching to star gazing, all around
the world. "This non-profit site profiles
only very small-scale, locally produced ecotours,
and works only with individuals, not companies
with packaged tours."
- ECOCLUB® is
an extensive site which is "promoting genuine
ecotourism with members in over 130 countries,
... [and] a clearing house for ecotourism information,
such as jobs, events, publications, university
courses, finance sources." Brief teasers
available but most info. available only to members. For
the cheap skates among us, the interviews and back
issues of the magazine (available in PDF download)
make for interesting reading, while tourists can
find participating ecolodges worldwide for free.
- Ecotourism
Ring "The original Ecotourism Ring,
since 1998, unites Genuine Ecotourism websites
worldwide." A good place to start, if
you're looking for accommodation or nature
based, adventure and outdoor recreation operators
rather than academic and research information,
or you're am operator wanting a little more
online leverage.
- Green
Cross International "The mission
of Green Cross is to help ensure a just,
sustainable and secure future for all by
fostering a value shift and cultivating a
new sense of global interdependence and shared
responsibility in humanity’s relationship
with nature. Green Cross: * Promotes legal,
ethical and behavioral norms that ensure
basic changes in the values, actions and
attitudes of government, the private sector
and civil society, necessary to build a sustainable
global community * Prevents and resolves
conflicts arising from environmental degradation.
* Provides assistance to people affected
by the environmental consequences of wars
and conflicts." This
link directly to the sitemap might also
be useful.
- The
Green Cross Optimist,
 "A
visionary new magazine
dedicated to presenting
avenues of cooperation
and innovation to
break through the
deadlocks currently
preventing us from
achieving truly sustainable
and equitable development.
... The magazine
contains thought-provoking
articles on how human
decisions and activities
are making an indelible
impact on society
and our planet -
for better and for
worse."
- Green
Travel Marcus Endicott
is the original online "Green Travel" networker.
Meta search on multiple feeAcademia, operators
and travellers providing perspectives and
swapping information. Monitored
if not moderated.
- The International
Ecotourism Society The pre-eminent ecotourism
organisation, with links to nooks and crannies
that'll rack up your time online whether
you're an operator, traveller, student, academic
or travel journo wanting more in-depth info.. The
society's extensive online
library can be searched on publication
title, author, date of publication, region,
keyword and file content. Go there
now!
Australia/Asia/Pacific
- Bhutan: "The
tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle
of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be
environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially
and culturally acceptable and economically viable.
The number of tourists visiting Bhutan is regulated
to a manageable level because of the lack of infrastructure."
- Ecotours New
Zealand Better known as a destination
for adrenalin junkies and thrillseekers,
this site has a lively and interactive newsboard
for operator issues, as well as operators
and activities info. for ecotourists wanting
to visit
"the land of the long white cloud".
- Ecotourism
Australia The site has been updated,
with a database of members with email links
and urls listed, plus usual about us stuff.
Some publications for sale in the resources
area, but no freely available information
on anything except the Cairns Charter, NEAP
and International Ecotourism programs, plus
membership applications, all in PDF.
- Ecotourism
and Conservation Society of Sikkim (ECOSS) "ECOSS
is dedicated to promoting ecotourism and
conservation for the benefit of people at
all levels of Sikkimese society. We seek
to combine the strengths of rural communities
with the experiences of national and international
groups who are leaders in the field of ecotourism."
- Northern
NSW Ecotourism Association Inc. (NNETA). NNETA
encourages tourism operators to be committed
to best practice ecological sustainability
and set an example as quality ecotourism
operators.
- Ecotourism
Data Centre of Thailand. I have
no idea what this site contains as it's all
in Thai (funny that), but it's copyright
by TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand), easy
on the eye (Thai script is so beautiful)
downloads fast, with a substantial eco/tourism
links resources page. Check it out if you
read Thai. (And let me know what they're
saying! ;-)
Africa/Europe
- The Ecotourism Society
of Kenya (ESOK) "was
founded in 1996 to provide a unique forum
where members would comprehend the concept
of ecotourism and use this knowledge to improve
performance in line with the principles of
ecotourism. ... [and] charged with a dual
role of providing the required support for
the development of ecotourism and promoting
sustainable tourism practices." Excellent
site with reports, projects and resources
sure to be of interest to students, stakelholders,
operators and intending visitors alike.
- Estonian Ecotourism
Web Site "Ökoturism on vastutustundlik
reisimine, mis toetab loodus- ja kultuuripärandi
säilimist ning kohalike elanike heaolu. (Eesti Ökoturismi
Ühenduse definitsioon)." I have no idea
what it says, let me know! Lovely design,
info. packed web site for Estonian readers and
anyone interested in Estonian ecotourism.
- The Red
Sea Sustainable Tourism Initiative (RSSTI) Arabic. "[Our]
overall objective is to assist in the development
and dissemination of environmentally sound
practices for the tourism sector from the
design, construction to operational phases.
Core work areas comprise of "Best Practices",
Environmental Impact Assessment and monitoring,
Environmental Management Systems, and sustainable
tourism awareness, primarily in Red Sea [Egyptian]
resorts." Excellent web site with
proceedings and papers from forums going
back to 2000, with many in English and Arabic. My
only gripe is the smallish white text on
black background.
The Americas
- Alaska Wilderness
Recreation and Tourism "The Alaska Wilderness Recreation & Tourism Association
(AWRTA) is a member-led association that
represents more than 300 nature-based tourism
businesses, individuals, and organizations
in Alaska. AWRTA advocates for the sustainability
of Alaska's natural and cultural resources,
responsible tourism and tourism planning
for communities."
Well designed site with operator guidelines, stakeholder
issues, extensive Alaskan resources and searchable
database of members for would be visitors.
- Belize Eco Tourism
Association BETA was formed on Earth
Day, 1993, by a small group of members of
the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA).
BETA serves as an advocate for conservation
and ecologically-sound development of tourism
within BTIA and Belize.
- Green Tourism
Association "is
a unique non-profit organization that is
committed to establishing an urban green
tourism industry in Toronto. We work collaboratively
with a network of businesses, community and
environmental groups, government agencies,
heritage and cultural organizations and individuals
that share our common interest." An
excellent web site with extensive resources
for visitors to Toronta, and support material
for members, with a considerable links resource
center themed around ecotourism, sustainability
and the environment, with particular regard
to Canadian and Toronto enterprises.
- Ecotourism
in Peru by Andean Travel Web "Tourism
is now the largest foreign currency-earner
in Peru, affecting the lives of millions
of people. While it can bring benefits, these
are seldom spread evenly. ... Andean
Travel Web aims to raise general awareness
of these problems, as well as bringing specific
projects and campaigns to your attention."
Whilst simple in design, the depth of local information
and involvement is impressive! The Ecotourism section
contains Peru related info. including an Introduction,
Travel Code, Local Initiatives and EcoTourism Links,
while a comprensive travel directory highlighting
Peruvian tour and travel experiences will be sure
to give you the travel bug! Congratulations to
Mike Weston.
- Hawaii
Ecotourism Association Simple design
and layout with goals, projects, member information,
links to members web sites, industry links
and more.
- Planeta With
a strong focus on Mexico and Latin America, Ron
Mader provides an outlet for numerous papers and
articles from contributors as well as his own works. The
site also includes on-line forums and regional
email groups, focusing on eco and sustainable tourism.
See also Accreditation & Certification
Programs, Codes
of Conduct, Practice & Operational Guidelines, Ecotourism
Projects and Newsgroups
and Email lists |
|
