ECOCLUB Blogs™

Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries on the Top Reviews of Tourism Concern's Ethical Travel Guide. http://tourismconcern.org.uk/cretes-culinary-sanctuaries-network/

STIPA Consultancy&Ecotourism with the Superior Institute of Environment present the second edition of the course "Ecotourism: Design and Marketing Products". In the last decade, Spain has begun to speak more and more often the concept of "ecotourism". Tourism that aims to be a memorable experience for discovering and knowing the most valuable natural places. Therefore, ecotourism allows a personal contact with natural and cultural heritage in each destiny; as well as to expanding and enriching the way of thinking from visitors and locals. We have a high potential in Spain, which is the higher diverse of natural areas, as well as a key role in Europe by its biodiversity. Ecotourism can be an activity that serves to preserve these natural and protected areas, understood as a tool that supports jobs and local economies and as a way to engage tourism stakeholders developing conservation initiatives. But one of the biggest weaknesses of many territories and local businesses is their lack of attractive tourism products. This situation does not help to have any chance of competitiveness and differentiation in a tourist market that trends to diversification and specialization in sustainability. STIPA's team and Gonzalo de la Fuente del Val in collaboration with the...

Our Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries Network is excited to welcome faculty and students from Utah State University on their May 2016 Study Tour to Crete! Utah State University Study Abroad to Crete, Greece Program And our fantastic annual Study Abroad program for faculty and students from University of Missouri! University of Missouri Study Abroad Program in Greece  

Philosopher George Berkeley asked, "If a tree falls in the forest, and no one hears it, does it make a sound?" What if you went to a tourist attraction that allowed no photos? Could you still enjoy it without a selfie or photographic proof for your Facebook feed? I faced that dilemma at Petroglyphs Provincial Park, 55 kilometers northeast of Peterborough. Six to 11 centuries ago - an era when the Vikings were first arriving in North America - aboriginal people were carving images for ceremonial or spiritual reasons into white marble rock of the Canadian Shield. These 900 rock carvings are now known as Kinomaage waapkong or 'the rocks that teach' and the largest known single concentration of Aboriginal rock art in Canada. They lay undiscovered until 1954 when three prospectors stumbled onto the carvings of people, snakes, turtles & other creatures, and told a newspaper. By 1967 there were the same number of annual visitors as today - approximately 12,000 - but no protection. Some tourists wanted to share the glory and carved their initials into the stones; experts feared even the best behaved visitors would wear away carvings with their footsteps. In 1976 a provincial park was created...

Ecoturismo Genuino is a specialized platform for ecotourism professionals. Its origins are located in Mexico, but it has gradually become as a space for communication and interaction in the field of ecotourism into Spanish-speaking countries (Latin America, Caribbean and Spain). On May, It was held the First Virtual Meeting of Ecoturismo Genuino, an interesting initiative that seeks to be a forum for exchange experiences between specialists and ecotourism stakeholders (free webinars). International speakers participated at this first meeting, such us Xavier Font (Leeds Beckett University), Hector Ceballos Lascurain, Allan Rhodes (Ecoturismo Genuino) or Fredy Ochoa among others. During next September, it will take place the Second Virtual Meeting of Ecoturismo Genuino. 9 free webinars are scheduled (Spanish language) with the participation of relevant international experts such as Daniela Moreno Alarcón (Equality in Tourism initiative), Luis Garduño (Red Travel Mexico), Susana Conde (AGROTRAVEL), Ena Buenfil (Huaxteca.com), among others. Remember the date: September 14-16th, 2015. In the following links you can check the first meeting webinars and some information related to the second meeting: First Virtual Meeting Ecoturismo Genuino (Mayo 2015) Second Virtual Meeting Ecoturismo Genuino (Septiembre 2015)

New Release The Routledge Handbook of Sustainable Food and Gastronomy Edited by Philip Sloan, Willy Legrand, and Clare Hindley Preface by Roberto Flore, Nordic Food Lab, Copenhagen, Denmark http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415702553/ The issues surrounding the provision, preparation and development of food products are fundamental to every human being on the planet. Given the scarcity of agricultural land, environmental pollution, climate change and the exponential growth of the world’s population where starvation and obesity are both widespread it is little wonder that exploring the frontiers of food is now a major focus for researchers and practitioners.   Based on a multi-disciplinary approach, the handbook provides a systematic guide to the current state of knowledge on sustainable food. 75 expert contributors from around the globe provide results of recent research or discuss industry practices in 40 articles. The handbook begins by examining the anthropology of food and in particular analysing consumer food decisions and the role of history and self-identity in food choices.  The handbook discusses various local food initiatives in the form of case studies; examines sustainable food trends and movements and explores current and future food science innovations. Part 7 includes a paper by Nikki Rose, "Responsible Travel as a Means to Preserve...

STIPA Consultancy&Ecotourism with the Superior Institute of Environment present the first course "Ecotourism: Design and Marketing Products". In the last decade, Spain has begun to speak more often the concept of "ecotourism". Tourism that aims to be a memorable experience for discovering and know the most valuable natural places. Therefore, ecotourism allows different groups of tourists a direct and personal contact with the natural and cultural heritage in each destiny; as well as to expanding and enriching the way of thinking and values for visitors. We have a high potential in Spain, which is the quite diverse network of natural areas, as well as a key role in biodiversity in Europe. Ecotourism can be an activity that serves to preserve these natural and protected areas, understood as a tool that supports job creation and local economies that promotes active participation in conservation in the tourism sector. But one of the biggest weaknesses of many territories and local businesses is that their lack of attractive tourism products. This situation does not help to have any chance of competitiveness and differentiation in a tourist market that tends to diversification and specialization in sustainability. STIPA's team and Gonzalo de la Fuente del Val in...

MADbird is a fair which born with the aim to bring together the business offer that focuses on green economy through nature tourism observation with the potencial demand from big cities, such as Madrid. This year, MADbird fair will take up a larger space so they will double the number of exhibitors. The visitors will enjoy events, such as the MADbird race, the most interesting lectures and amazing film screenings! This kind of fairs are interesting marketing channel to connect with potential customers and to establish alliances with other companies or organizations. Therefore, we consider it is a relevant event to access new markets and to release the nature and cultural beauties of the province of Cuenca. MADbird 2015 will take place in “el Paseo del Prado”, the Prado´s Boulevard, the most emblematic place of Madrid center from the 12 to the 14th of June 2015. Lectures will take place at the “Palacio de Cibeles”, Cybeles palace, Madrid´s current city council.  PUBLIC OPENING TIMES:Friday 12th: From 11:00h to 21:00hSaturday 13th: From 11:00h to 21.00hSunday 14th: From 11:00h to 19:00hRemember: ENTRY IS FREE ! We will be expecting you!http://www.madbirdfair.es/ 

Greetings from Crete, Slideshow highlights of one of our annual Accredited Study Tours for teachers and students from University of Missouri. CCS Photos on Flickr

The ninth annual Chocolate Festival of Belize and Toledo will take place on 22nd, 23rd and 24th May 2015. The event kicks off with the Gala event, Wine and Chocolate on the Friday night from 6pm to 11pm. The event is being held for the second year at Garbutt's gorgeous marina on Joe Taylor Creek. Surrounded by both the lagoon and the ocean this night brings you nothing but good times, good friends, live music from the Caribbean Roots Band all the way from Corozal, an array of delectable hors d'oeuvres including deep fried lion fish and shrimp and, of course, how could we forget, Chocolate from Belizean chocolatiers! The Taste of Toledo Street Fair is held on Front Street in Punta Gorda town, from the Uno gas station all the way down to the Punta Gorda library. The pedestrian-only street fair features cultural displays and areas showcasing Toledo's five main ethnic group: Kriol, Maya, Garifuna, Mestizo and East Indian. Each area displays art, food and music from their culture. It is like passing from a Maya town to a Garifuna town in just a few steps. Barbecued food, chocolate making, kayak trips, chocolate farm trips, there's something for everyone. Live...