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EVENTS

2007 Ecotourism NZ Conference: Global Ecotourism Trends

NEW ZEALAND FORUM

Planeta.com's Ron Mader was a keynote speaker at the 2007 Ecotourism NZ Conference in Greymouth August 1-3, 2007. The event was hosted by the Tai Poutini Polytechnic.

KEYNOTE

Ecotourism means something different to everyone. While there is no common language that engages visitors and locals, those who offer ecotourism need to be clear about what they mean. In our review of global ecotourism trends, we see a growing debate on carbon emission offsetting and tourism, the role awards play in developing awareness and how the web is being used for distance learning. Five years past the International Year of Ecotourism and there is disappointment that leading global institutions are not doing enough. Does Web 2.0 promise a new way of engaging visitors and locals? Here's our summary. (Presentation)

CARBON EMISSIONS

Most visitors to New Zealand indicate strong interest in nature and conservation. New Zealand is taking a loading role in discussing carbon emissions and developing strategies in respect to long haul travel. Visitors who travel a great distance are conscious of why they are traveling and what they are seeking. How will New Zealand officials answer questions about the environmental impact of transportation? As travelers are increasingly concerned about climate change, will this manifest in changing travel plans?

AWARDS

Participants in the Ethical Marketing of Ecotourism Conference and the Ecotourism Certification Workshop emphasized that awards play an important role in establishing a positive reputation for an eco lodge or guide service. Acknowledging best practices in tourism ecotourism may be a practical alternative to expensive certification schemes. Leaders who attempt to work in an ethical and ecological fashion do so not necessarily for the recognition, but appreciate the kudos given by their peers.

Recommended reading: 2007 Ecotourism Spotlight Award, Reflections on Awards

WEB 2.0

The changes at hand in tourism are notable. The online booking industry has been transformed with reviews by travelers and by operators and associations using new online tools that revolutionize the way visitors are guided. A challenge for operators lies in understanding the new venues for dialogue and promotion. As veteran trend watcher Steve Bridger points out, much of the action is taking place 'out there' in social networks and online communities instead of from your own website.

USING THE WEB FOR DISTANCE LEARNING

How to best leverage limited resources depends on bridging the online and offline worlds. Challenges for educational institutions will be the incorporation of rating systems that evaluate individual professors and student work. The 'ethics' within institutions will be a hot topic in 2008.

Recommended reading: Seminars, Educational Travel

FIVE YEARS AFTER THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ECOTOURISM

In May 2007 Planeta.com conducted a survey to evaluate the development of ecotourism in the five years since the International Year of Ecotourism. Three dozen respondents have responded. Among the finding: respondents are cynical about the development of ecotourism, believe that indigenous people are not actively included and give low marks to United Nations Environment Programme and World Tourism Organization. These criticisms, Mader argues, should be taken as a roadmap for making immediate corrections that can win over the critics.

URBAN ECOTOURISM

Also, in connection with our focus on urban ecotourism, Planeta.com is launching CJ-friendly city guides to Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

Recommended reading: Urban ecotourism, Citizen Journalism

YOUR TURN

Planeta.com is conducting the New Zealand Travel Survey to assess what travelers want from a trip and what locals recommend to visitors.

ABOUT THE WEST COAST

The West Coast covers a distance of 600 kilometers, with a population of 31,000 and contains 1.9 million hectares of land protected by the Department of Conservation. On the Coast there are five national parks, two Wilderness Areas and a World Heritage Area and there is an outstanding range of natural features including rainforests, glaciers, wetlands and an ocean habitat that is home to the world's stronghold population of Hector dolphin.

The Department of Conservation estimates that the conservation area on the West Coast generates $221 million a year within the local economy. In addition about 15% of the West Coast workforce is employed on conservation land.