19 Jan 2009 - Athens, Greece

Interviewed by ECOCLUB.com, Professor Steve Noakes, Executive Director of Pacific Asia Tourism and recipient of Ecotourism Australia's inaugural Ecotourism Medal, has called on national governments to "fully realise the power - and do something about it - of sustainable tourism to contribute to peace, harmony, respect and tolerance between people and for their own national economic, environmental and social/cultural objectives". Professor Noakes noted a considerable increase in tourism student interest and awareness about green issues in recent years. He also spoke for the need of business ethics in tourism and consumer protection legislation. In relation to Indonesia where he is setting up an Ecolodge network he appeared disatisfied with the level of attention and understanding of the government towards Ecotourism. Finally Professor Noakes believes that while green tourism certification "has been a rough road to travel, the journey to get more businesses, destinations and communities with ‘green certification’ will bear fruit for the industry, the customers and the planet in the long run".

Please find the whole interview at:
https://ecoclub.com/news/100118.html