ECOCLUB Blogs™

Dear All,   Shandur Polo Festival 2013 is set to be celebrated from July 2-5, 2013. In consideration of the month of fasting, the event has been scheduled about 5 days earlier than usual. The event attracts great number of international, national and local tourits, who undergo long travel to participate in the event. You can be in contact with us should you or your friends plan to participate in the event.   Our contact is +92 3025975059

On this years World Environment Day it is becoming clearer, through a wide range of developments ranging from the violently suppressed ecological protests in Istanbul, the popular anti-gold / anti-multinational mining campaign in the forest of Skouries, near Halkidiki Greece, the ongoing struggle of indigenous communities against oil giants in the Amazon and against bauxite in India, the growing anti-fracking movement in the United States, widening global awareness about Climate Change and its main causes (Capitalism in all its forms: authoritarian, statist or neoliberal) and a constant flow of tragic sweat-shop deaths that reveal the ugly backstage of consumerism that the Environmental Movement can no longer remain or pretend to be apolitical, and that it must pick sides – either the 99% and the side of progress, of the people, or the 1%, the side of the ecocidal status quo. Or, as Noam Chomsky put it in a recent editorial, “... those who are trying hard to do something about these threats [to destroy the planet], and others who are acting to escalate them.” The process of choosing sides is of course slowly undermining the credibility of large systemic green NGOs who may in turn have to chose between their corporate...

Interview on NPR - National Public Radio in the USA on the new book by Elizabeth Becker entitled "Overbooked" covering the tourism industry   I look forward to more conversations on this crucial issue. And also conversations with the many people already working on solutions.   http://www.npr.org/2013/04/29/179829147/tourism-today-trample-disrupt-and-destroy

Hi, I'm seeking articles or papers about GIS & Tourism Management.   Cheers   JP LE MOIGNE

University of Missouri and Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries Study Abroad in Greece: The Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle 10-Day Accredited Program May 20 – June 1, 2013 A comprehensive experiential learning program designed to provide an overview of the culture, nature and cuisine of Crete. This program is designed for teachers, students and professional researchers of nutrition, cuisine, sustainable living, tourism, and agricultural practices. Explore Crete's cultural and natural treasures with resident specialists. Experiences include private guided tours of archaeological sites, organic farms, natural parks/botanical hikes, food markets, olive oil factories, wineries, as well as demonstrations by artisan food producers, and food preparation classes. Presentations are exclusive to our small group of 20 attendees. This course will be held in several regions of Crete and in Athens on the final day of the program. Learning opportunities will be provided by Chef-Author Nikki Rose, Founder of Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries and her network of over 30 residents-teachers, and MU Nutrition and Exercise Physiology faculty, Candance Gabel, MS, RD, LD. Space is limited. Program Details:    http://extension.missouri.edu/hes/studyabroad/Greece/   Contact Nikki Rose Nikki Rose Founder & Director, Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries Eco-Agritourism Network Educational programs celebrating Crete’s cultural and natural heritage An award-winning program for best practices in...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Johnson Johnrose, CTO Tel: (246) 427-5242 E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. MULTIPLE AWARD WINNER TO PRESENT AT CTO SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CONFERENCE IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ~ Owner and managing director of Bucuti and Tara Resorts in Aruba, Ewald Biemans, to share the secrets to his success and profitability ~ BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (11 March 2013) – Multiple award winning hotelier Ewald Biemans, whose properties enjoy average occupancies of over 90 per cent, will share his innovative and profitable environmental approaches with delegates attending the region’s premier sustainable tourism conference in Trinidad & Tobago next month. Mr. Biemans, the owner and managing director of Bucuti and Tara Resorts in Aruba, is an innovator in environmental practices and his success in achieving profitability through sustainable means has earned both him and his properties global recognition. In his presentation at the 14th Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC-14), the successful hotelier will outline a complete environmental roadmap for hotels and destination organizations to follow in order to be profitable while being sustainable. He will also offer suggestions for government entities to implement in terms of environmental conservation at tourism level in terms of planning and construction of green buildings. “There is clear evidence that Mr. Biemans’...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact Johnson JohnRose Caribbean Tourism Organization (246) 427-5242 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. TOURS TO EXOTIC AND HISTORIC SITES IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO AWAIT DELEGATES TO CTO SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CONFERENCE -- A full day of Study Tours on Wednesday 17 April has been planned for the conference which runs from 15-18 April at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain -- BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (1 March, 2013) – Delegates attending the 14th Annual Caribbean Tourism Organization Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC-14), will get to explore some of Trinidad and Tobago’s most exotic and historic sites as part of the conference experience. A full day of exhilarating study tours has been planned to reveal the diversity of the host country and the various sustainability models being employed there. The Study Tours are among the most sought after aspects of the STC programme with delegates consistently rating them as the most rewarding sessions. Approximately 95 per cent of delegates who attended STC-13 in Guyana last year rated the Study Tours as excellent or good, with 78 per cent saying they were excellent. “These Study Tours provide an opportunity for delegates to experience firsthand some of the very issues that we discuss during the plenary sessions...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact Johnson JohnRose Caribbean Tourism Organization (246) 427-5242 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. PRODUCTS, PARTNERSHIPS & PROFITABILITY THE MAIN FOCUS OF REGION’S PREMIER SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CONFERENCE -- Theme of 14th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism set for 15-18 April in Trinidad & Tobago, is Keeping the Right Balance: Enhancing Destination Sustainability through Products, Partnerships, Profitability -- BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (14 February, 2013) – How to develop partnerships that result in an innovative, profitable and sustainable product will be the main topic for discussion when tourism planners, policymakers and stakeholders in the tourism sector meet in Trinidad & Tobago in April for the Caribbean’s premier sustainable tourism gathering. The 14th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, otherwise known as the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC-14) - to be held from 15 to 18 April 2013 - will explore ways the Caribbean can enhance destination sustainability and competitiveness in the current global environment by examining a number of critical issues. These include enriching visitor experiences beyond stereotypical urban and rural tourism products; intelligent destination branding and marketing designed to showcase these experiences; engaging and partnering with key destination stakeholders for successful destination planning and management; increasing year-round visitor spend on local goods and...

We are excited about a new project to empower minority women to share their stories through photography, interviews, and video.  In November, TAEC finished the first phase of the project with our partner, PhotoForward.  The participants, primarily young Hmong women from the night market, were given cameras, taught basic photography skills, and then asked to document women at work in their communities. The results were insightful and showed the strength of women in Lao society.  We celebrated the women’s creativity and hard work by exhibiting their photographs and embroidery at Children’s Cultural Centre.  To view their images, visit the online gallery at http://www.photoforward.org/women-at-work.html   We are now in the second phase of this project, working with a smaller group of women to further develop their photography skills and introduce them to basic research techniques.  The women have been exploring topics of their choosing, from shamanism and polygamy, to single parenthood and festival food preparation.  This project is a part of TAEC’s ethnic youth internship program , developing ethnic community researchers to document their own cultures.   To raise funds to continue the project, postcards featuring the women’s photography will be available for purchase in our TAEC Shop in March.  We hope...

Top Ecotourism and Community Development Experts Offer Online Professional Learning Series   The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and EplerWood International have partnered to develop an interactive online learning program, to be offered in April-May 2013, focused on community benefits through tourism.      February 19, 2013, WASHINGTON, DC and BURLINGTON, VT – Recognizing the need for accessible professional learning opportunities for tourism industry stakeholders engaged in ecotourism and sustainable community development, The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and EplerWood International are presenting the Professional Learning Series "Tourism and Community Development: Tested Strategies for a Better Future", which will be offered online in April and May 2013. In addition to online lectures by top experts with successful hands-on experience worldwide, this four-part series will include social media platforms to create a dynamic and interactive learning experience.   Registration for the Professional Learning Series is now available online. The early-bird registration rate (US$160 for TIES Professional and Organization Members / US$180 for non-members) will be offered through March 1st, 2013, with registration ending March 15th, 2013.   Through tailored curriculum and an interactive global learning experience, this series focuses on achieving lasting community benefits, strong partnerships, vibrant supply chains, local well-being, and significant support for...