ECOCLUB, International Ecotourism Monthly, Issue 47, April 2003

In the past four months, ECOCLUB has participated in a network of Ecuador Ecotourism Experts, the "Grupo Internet en Favor de Ecoturismo Ecuatoriano" (GIFEE), that has worked intensively online to develop a series of recommendations to encourage ecotourism in Ecuador and produced a document that was handed in to various Ecuadorian Ministries. Realizing the potential of Ecuador to become a world leader in Ecotourism, we called upon the Ecuadorian government to stimulate Ecotourism through inclusive, widespread consultations, economic incentives to genuine ecotourism operations, private or community-owned, innovative laws, and creative use of educational and promotional funds.
The Executive Summary may be read below, the full text can be found at http://ecoclub.com/gifee.html

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Despite a slump in world tourism, the global demand for ecotourism and environmentally friendly vacations is on the rise. To take advantage of this development, Ecuadorian stakeholders, including the central and local government, communities, private businesses, educational institutions and NGOs need to work together. Historically, Ecuadorian stakeholders have had difficulty cooperating with one another. Difficulties have arisen from the isolation of the projects, inadequate or conflicting laws, lack of consistent support from government and NGOs, inadequate financing, poor communication and access to information. The next few years are critical in the development of successful nature-based travel businesses and the evolution of an environmental ethic that respects and protects the ecosystems that make Ecuador unique.

GIFEE thus encourages the new government of Ecuador to study and follow the directives of the Quebec Declaration on Ecotourism and the momentum set forth during the United Nations International Year of Ecotourism, 2002. We further recommend giving priority to indigenous-run operations and supporting networking among indigenous peoples and other stakeholders. We believe that community owned or managed indigenous projects within Ecuador should be given training, publicity and support, and that the Council of Indigenous Nations of Ecuador (Consejo de Nacionalidades Indigenas del Ecuador or CONAIE) should be consulted.

GIFEE has identified seven, interdependent sectors for action: the Internet, Education, Conservation, Waste Management, Financing, Promotion, and Cooperation and make the following seven recommendations to national, regional and local governments:

1. Favour the Internet as a policy, management, educational and promotional tool 2. Develop school and continuing education programs on ecotourism, nature conservation, and sustainable use 3. Expand and improve protected areas through scientific and transparent management 4. Improve waste management nationally and in the tourism sector through Reduce, Reuse and Recycle policies and plan for clean sustainable transport 5. Improve access to financing and education for small private and community ecotourism efforts 6. Redesign the tourism promotion strategy of Ecuador to be imaginative, efficient and sustainable 7. Encourage cooperation with and between all stakeholders.

Read the full GIFEE document at http://ecoclub.com/gifee.html

Liberia to add two sites to World Heritage List
Liberia has requested the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to add two Liberian sites, Sarpo National Park and Providence Island, to 'The World's Cultural Heritage. According to the Assistant Minister for Tourism, it would 'help preserve the forests of Liberia, boost tourism and promote the practice of cultural plurality in Liberia.' The Minister also 'appealed to Eco-tourism investors' to help preserve Liberia's bio-diversity.
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200303200150.html

World - Bird Extinction Wave
Bird species today face a wave of extinction equivalent to that of the dinosaurs who died out some 65 million years ago, according to a new report from the Worldwatch Institute. Human Population growth has put about 12 percent of the world's 9,800 bird species at risk of extinction, the report finds, and species across the globe are showing increasing signs of distress.
"Winged Messengers: The Decline of Birds." available from Worldwatch Institute at: http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/paper/165/

India - Ecotourism vs. Mining in Protected Areas
In a report titled '`Undermined — Destruction of Tiger Habitat in India', The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), an international NGO, has called upon the Indian Prime Minister to ensure implementation of the resolutions of the Indian Board for Wildlife, prohibiting mining activities within 10 km of reserved areas. The report alleges devastation of vital tiger habitat by mining companies for luxury items consumed in India and abroad. According to Debbie Banks, EIA senior campaigner, "Closure of mines would not cripple the local or national economy and alternative employment and revenue could be generated through forest management and responsible ecotourism initiatives'. The report focuses on Jamwa Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (JRWS) in the Aravalli Hill region of Rajasthan, which is a critical watershed forest for wildlife and local communities. It is also a vital spill-over area for the young tigers of adjoining Sariska Tiger Reserve. India is home to over 50 per cent of the world's remaining wild tigers (around 5,000).
More Details: http://www.hinduonnet.com/stories/2003032605161300.htm

Congo Republic - Ebola Devastates Remaining Lowland Gorillas
According to the Zoological Society of London the disease is estimated to have killed between 600 and 800 western lowland gorillas, almost two thirds of the population in the Lossi sanctuary, south of Odzala national park in the Congo Republic. It has also killed an unknown number of chimpanzees. There are estimated to be about 80,000 western lowland gorillas in Gabon and the Congo. They represent 80 per cent of the world's gorilla population. Mr Baillie, a Canadian-born zoologist, said: "Ebola now combines with hunting for bushmeat and logging as a risk to the great apes. It is the first time we have seen it unfold like this." Gabon recently declared 10 per cent of the country as national park in an attempt to make eco-tourism a substitute for declining oil revenues. Logging is fast becoming another one.
Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=
/news/2003/04/01/webola01.xml&sSheet=/news/2003/04/01/ixworld.html

USA - 'First Successful Cloning' of Endangered Animal

Using a single frozen skin cell, scientists at the San Diego Zoo cloned a Javan banteng, a cattle-like animal native to Asia. The cell was taken from a captive banteng that died in 1980; the resulting embryo was transferred to a beef cow, and the baby banteng, born April 1, is currently thriving. Only one other endangered animal, the Asian guar, has ever been cloned, but it died two days after birth. Likewise, another banteng born from the same method is currently in poor health. Hunting and ecosystem devastation have reduced banteng numbers by 80 percent in the last two decades, and the scientists involved in the cloning emphasized that no conservation technique is as important as habitat protection.
Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/04/08/MN270952.DTL

Bhutan - New Community Tourism Pilot Project

The department of tourism (DoT) and the nature conservation division (NCD) have identified two trekking routes in western central and central Bhutan as part of pilot project to develop community tourism in the country. The two trekking routes will form the basis of a study on developing a proper framework for community based tourism in consultation with the primary stakeholders or the community members themselves. “Community based tourism. according to Karma Tshering of the NCD, is an approach where the local community is actively involved in its development and management, are able to derive benefits and enhance income, and promote conservation of nature and culture. According to a eco tourism specialist, Charles Giblisco, with the DoT, the new routes will also address the seasonality problem as they are best suited for trekking between November and April, the lean tourist season. During summer these routes are infested with leeches and snakes. Most villagers agreed that rendering services to tourists would fetch them additional income. But some villagers in Phobjikha and Kamechu felt that motor roads and electricity in their villages was more beneficial than leaving their environment untouched for tourist attraction. “I had a hard time convincing the people about the benefits of the project,” said one of the surveyors.
Source: http://www.kuenselonline.com/article.php?sid=2702&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

USA - War Impact Travel Survey

TIA just released the results of a new War Impact Survey. It shows that the intentions of Americans to travel overseas are down and that business travel and air travel will suffer considerably this spring and summer. Urban destinations are likely to be hit hardest. However, 81 percent of Americans say they'll go ahead with their leisure travel plans. The trends toward more travel by auto, RV and motor coach continue. And there is increased interest in visiting small towns and rural areas. For more information, click here.
Source: www.tia.org

Barbados - Tax Incentives for Green Hotels

A 150 per cent Tax write-off will be offered through new legislation to hotels that adopt environmental protection measures, it was announced at the launch of “The Greening of Government” project.
Details: http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/NewViewNewsleft.cfm?Record=12707

Germany - ITB 2003 Tourism Sustainability Seminars

A series of seminars took place at ITB in Berlin in March, including some related to ecotourism & sustainable tourism, including A World Tourism Organisation event on Sustainable Development-Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP). The ST-EP project was launched in Johannesburg 2002 with UNCTAD, to link Sustainable Tourism with Poverty Elimination. Its aim is to seek funding, from non-traditional tourism related sources, stimulate new research into ST-EP linkages and seed fund model projects for small community focused enterprises in poorer countries. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the German Technical Cooperation Board hosted an event looking at Sustainable Tourism and All-Inclusive Resorts.
Details: http://www.itb-berlin.com/en/Events/TermineWissenschaftszentrum/
TermineWissenschaftszentrum.jsp

UK / FRANCE - Concorde: It's Over / C'est finis

British Airways and Air France have confirmed they will be permanently grounding their ageing Concorde fleet later this year, one and half years since the accident that killed 113 in Paris. Air France has five Concordes which will stop operations in May, while BA’s seven Concordes will be retired at the end of October. BA plans to make the aircraft available for the public to view in museums. Supersonic aircraft like Concorde are considered by enviros as an environmental villain as they consume far more fuel than ordinary aircraft.

Top