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PLANETA

Exploring Ecotourism Resource Guide
by Ron Mader

TRAVEL DEFINITIONS SURVEY

Take a long walk. If you can't take a long walk, take a short one.
- Travel Notebook

PHOTO GALLERY: Responsible Tourism

Specifics may vary, but the big picture doesn't -- responsible tourism is preferable to irresponsible tourism, ecotourism is preferable to un-ecotourism and sustainable tourism is, well, you get the idea.

QUESTIONS

How is 'ecotourism' interpreted around the world?
What are ecotourism's core goals?
Can we design tourism that provides visitors and locals with choices and nudges us from poor decisions?
Are we culturalizing commerce or commercializing culture?

SLIDESHARE

Belize on the Web
Storytelling Now
SLIDESHARE

FLICKR

Rural Tourism Fairs 2001-2009
ONLINE FLICKR

WIKI

Ecotourism Spotlight Award
How is your conference green?
Toward Effective Communication in Responsible Travel and Ecotourism
ONLINE WIKI

VIDEO

Message for Responsible Tourism Conference
VIDEO

RECOMMENDED READING

Viva la Vida Verde, Forum for the Future, 2009

Forum for the Future releases its Green Futures Special Report Viva la Vida Verde focusing on the continuing search for sustainable practices in Mexico. Articles include a review of whether President Felipe Calderón put Mexico on the path to a greener life written by Forum for the Future's Ben Tuxworth and Jonathon Porritt, author of the provocative book Capitalism. In More Energy, Less Carbon Ron Buchanan looks at the country’s efforts to kick the high-carb habit. Jo Tuckman looks at the green revolution in Mexico City. Sun, Sea...Sustainability reviews the ecotourism and sustainable travel movement written by Ron Mader and Ben Tuxworth.

SLIDESHARE

YOUTUBE

OBSERVATIONS

Ecotourism will never be THE solution for environmental conservation or job creation, but it often serves as a catalyst to other practices critical to sustainable development, including the development of environment-friendly lodging, interpretative tours respectful of people and place, organic agriculture, local culture and handicrafts and environmental education. In Spanish this is called un circulo virtuoso or a 'virtuous circle.'

TRAVELERS' GUIDE TO ECOTOURISM

Choosing an Ecotour
Tourism and Crafts
Practical tips: What to take
World Travel Directory

PLAYERS

Stakeholders
Stakeholders Worksheet
Defending the Tourists
Community Tourism
Indigenous Peoples and Tourism
Government Websites, Ecotourism and Responsible Travel

INSIDERS

Tourism, Crisis and Improving the Conversation

DEFINING THE TERMS

Definitions
Examples from Latin America
Responsible Tourism
Stones in the Road

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ECOTOURISM

IYE+5 Survey: International Year of Ecotourism
International Year of Ecotourism Resource Guide
Reflections on the International Year of Ecotourism
Reflections on the Quebec Ecotourism Summit
Sustainable Development of Ecotourism Web Conference

MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE

Sustainable Tourism Wish List
Tourism and Poverty Alleviation
Educational Travel
Directory of Recommended Web Forums, Bulletin Boards and Portals

PARKS

Park Photos and Handouts
Tourism and Parks
World Conservation Congress

RESOURCE GUIDES

Health
Geography
Water

ONLINE CONFERENCES

Reimagining Ecotourism in North America May 2000
Reimagining Ecotourism in Mexico September 2000
Reimagining Ecotourism in South America November 2000
Ecotourism Certification 2000-2003
Reimagining Ecotourism in Central America February 2001
International Year of Ecotourism 2001-2003
Green Building and Tourism May 2001
Media, Environment and Tourism November 2001
Communities and Tourism March 2002
Sustainable Development of Ecotourism April 2002
Financing Sustainable Tourism June 2002
NGOs in Tourism and Conservation October 2002
Ethical Marketing July 2003
Environmental Impact of Transportation October 2003
Urban Ecotourism September 2004
Rural Tourism Conference April/May 2005
Ecotourism Emerging Industry Forum November 2005
Ethical Travel Dialogue June/July 2006
Tourism and Migration 2007
Dialogue on Linking Tourism and Protected Areas 2007
Ecotourism Challenges Dialogue 2007
Food, Health and Building Communities 2008-2009
Tourism and Climate Change 2008-2009
Tourism and Biodiversity 2010

DEVELOPER'S GUIDE TO ECOTOURISM

Marketing on the Web
Food
Food Industry
Greening Hotels
How to write a media release (Como escribir un boletin de prensa)
Planeta Forum Guidelines (Como participar)
How to host a press trip
How to host a press conference
How to prepare a media kit
Green Events
Manuals

SPOTLIGHT ON MEXICO

Mexico Country Guide
Mexico Ecotourism Network (Red Mexicana de Ecoturismo)
Mexican Parks and Protected Areas
Ecotourism and Spirituality in Mexico

POLICY GUIDE TO ECOTOURISM

Financing Sustainable Tourism
Reflections from the World Bank
Sustainable Tourism Bank Watch
Understanding Ecotourism Certification

This guide is the 20-year+ story of how tourism and conservation began to change themselves inside-out. We pay close attention to how locally-owned businesses tell the stories of the environment, people stories and new discoveries in environmental issues.

ABOUT THIS FEATURE

This feature is aimed at travelers, community leaders, entrepreneurs and policy-makers.

Curious about how to put theory into practice? We explore practical applications around the globe and show how you can be an active player.

Taking a trip? Consult our popular World Travel Directory.