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ECOCLUB, Issue 92
AROUND THE ECO WORLD
Africa
Kenya: Ecotourism Kenya has registered its objection to new tourist lodges in Samburu and Buffalo Springs National
Reserves on the basis that they will contribute to loss of biodiversity in the fragile Reserves. The Association pointed out that
the Samburu National Reserve has a General Management Plan that already acknowledges that the reserve has exceeded its
development capacity in terms of lodges. Ecotourism Kenya has also advised its Members to "consult widely" when selecting
sites for lodges and camps.
South Africa: Wildebess Ecolodge reports that a new community project called “The Odakaneni Community Ark”undertaken
by them is now fully operational. Through guest donations Wildebees were able to start a feeding scheme for children affected
by poverty and HIV/AIDS. Some of the children are orphans due to HIV/AIDS. On a monthly base, on the last Saturday of the
month, they provide a warm meal, fruits, clothes and toys for aprox. 120 children who are living in the Odakaneni community.
On the gathering days the children will learn some basic English, Life orientation and basic HIV/AIDS counselling. New
donations towards the project made it possible to organise the feeding scheme twice every month, from the summer of 2007.
Americas
Canada: At a UNWTO Executive Council meeting held in Hammamet, Tunisia, council members gave the World Centre of
Excellence for Destinations (CED), an NGO founded in February 2007 and headquartered in Montreal, the mandate to develop
an international system to measure the 'excellence' of tourist destinations, including development of new forms of tourism and
changing trends in sustainable tourism. CED Founding partners include Tourisme Montréal University of Quebec at Montreal
(UQAM), Bell Canada, National Geographic’s Centre for Sustainable Destinations and George Washington University. CED is
led by Dr. François Bédard, Professor in the Department of Tourism and Urban Studies at the Ecole des Sciences de la Gestion,
a business school of the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM).
Canada: Kalahari Management
announces wildlife tourism survey results. A recent survey conducted by Kalahari
Management investigated whether wildlife tourists are using guiding services? The initial hypothesis was that this would be a
sure thing given the enhanced experience that guides can provide, but the survey showed that guides were the least important
factor in selecting a destination for wildlife watchers. For more details about the travel habits of nature lovers, please read
Costa Rica: Costa Rican President admits child sex tourism destination status. At a July 18, 2007 press conference,
President Oscar Arias bravely admitted: "“We are an international destination for child sex tourism, and we are also a transit
zone for the trade of young people for sexual exploitation. Denial won't get us anywhere.” Arias blamed poverty, inequality,
lack of opportunity, as well as school dropout as roots of the problem, rather than demand from tourists. A new law unveiled at
the press conference will increase protection for victims of sexual exploitation ages 13 and under.
Dominica:
The beginning of 2007 has been a mega busy time at 3 Rivers Eco Lodge. February and March saw the
implementation of Computer Mission Dominica.
Co-ordinated by 3 Rivers Eco Lodge, Lifeline Ministries, and their
collaborative registered NGO, The Sustainable Living Initiative (SLIC), the project saw the arrival of 200 computers, donated
by The Bromsgrove School in the UK, to the port in Dominica. NS Optimum, a computer firm in the UK, arranged for each of
the computers to be individually refurbished to meet standards sought by the Ministry of Education here on the island. NS
Optimum then sent two cablers and technicians who spent two weeks on the island, each day in a different school, running an
installation training workshop to install the computers, servers, switches, and other bits, with the students and teachers of each
individual school.
The project was a massive success, culminating in a live video conference at one of the recipient schools,
using the new equipment to have a press conference talking to the headmaster of the Bromsgrove School in the Uk, and various
dignitaries and students here in Dominica. At the same time 3 Rivers has gone through some upgrades and changes in the last
few months. The restaurant has been expanded, the menu is now delicious and extensive, and extra facilities have been built
attached to the restaurant. Simultaneously the latest tree house, Chataniere Lodge is almost complete, and should be ready to
rent by the end of the summer. To support 3 Rivers various community projects, the proprietor Jem Winston now also offers eco
Ecuador: Powerful Tourism & Conservation Alliance to focus on Ecuador. Fifteen U.S. conservation & tourism
development organizations and businesses have set up a 'Global Sustainable Tourism Alliance' under the aegis of the United
States Agency for International Development. The new alliance is managed by the AED Center for Environmental Strategies,
with The George Washington University, Solimar International and The Nature Conservancy as managing partners. Alliance
Members also include Conservation International, Citizens Development Corps, Counterpart International, EplerWood
International, Nathan Associates, National Geographic Society, Rainforest Alliance, RARE, University of Hawaii School of
Travel Industry Management, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and the USDA Forest Service - Heritage Design.
The
Alliance’s first initiative will be in Ecuador with the cooperation of the country's Tourism & Environment Ministries. Ecuador's
relations with the U.S. have gradually deteriorated since the election of Rafael Correa as President, seen by the US as an ally of
