The annual World Ecotourism Conference held in collaboration with the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
is world's most important ecotourism conference in the ecotourism fraternity. The World Tourism Organisation
(UNWTO), is a
special agency of the United Nations.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to overwhelming response,
online registration for Filipino delegates has been closed on 14 February 2014 at 5:00pm (GMT+8)
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CEBU AND BOHOL
TOURISM IS NOW ROARING BACK IN BUSINESS! SUPPORT THEM!
On 20th February 2014, 350 local and international tourism professionals,
managers and administrators will set foot on the idyllic
island of Cebu, Philippines for the 5th World Ecotourism Conference. Organised by the Philippine
Department of Tourism, DISCOVERYMICE, an affiliate member of
UNWTO and in collaboration with the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO),
it is billed as the most important inter-governmental ecotourism conference
for developing nations. The Opening Ceremony will be led by
the Secretary of Tourism, the Secretary of Environment and
Natural Resources, Vice Governor of Cebu and Mayor of Cebu City.
In the aftermath of an earthquake and super storm late last year
that disrupted the lives of coastal communities and businesses,
H.E. Mr Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO,
Mr David Scowsill, President/CEO of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and
Mr Martin Craigs, President/CEO of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), in support of the World Ecotourism Conference being the
first major event held after the calamities,
will deliver their congratulatory remarks and solidarity
messages to the people of Philippines.
The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
and the Department of Tourism will launch the National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan 2013 - 2022
in conjunction with the 5th World Ecotourism Conference and in
the presence of over 200 leaders and captains of the Philippine
tourism industry. It will set a new partnership and
beginning for the Philippines in driving sustainable management
of its natural resources and for the benefit of local
communities.
The theme of the Conference, "Marine and Coastal Ecotourism:
Oceans of Uncertainties, Waves of Opportunities" will be expounded
by three eminent keynote speakers who are world renowned experts
in their own fields. They are Mr Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, CEO/Vice President of Trustee Board, WWF, Philippines,
a staunch conservation advocator , Mr. Firmansyah Rahim,
Director General of Tourism Destination Development, Ministry of
Tourism and Creative Economy, Republic of Indonesia, a veteran
tourism destination specialist and planner for over 30 years as
well as Dr Philip Dearden, from University of Victoria, Canada,
a world renowned researcher in marine protected areas.
In the evening, the Department of Tourism will throw a theme
"White Party", that will be
a fun-filled evening, dining and partying at the beautiful and
elegant Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa at Mactan Island, Cebu.
The Department of Tourism in true Filipino
hospitality promises all international delegates that "It's more fun
in the Philippines".
A panel of 20 eminent speakers and moderators will take the podium to expound and discuss
pertinent issues as well as share their knowledge, experiences and visions in 4
session topics - "Coastal Areas and Communities: Mitigating
Vulnerability through Sustainability"; "Destination Development:
Socio-Economic Value Beyond Beaches", "Marine Protected Areas (MPA)
for Ecotourism" and "Ecotourism Marketing: Critical Success
Factors"
The most important ecotourism conference among developing nations for
the betterment of community, economy and posterity ...
World Ecotourism
Conference (WEC)
The World Ecotourism Conference is an ambitious initiative to
bring global ecotourism players together to network, collaborate
and share their experiences, best practices and technologies for
the betterment of nature conservation, environment protection,
preservation of communities and consequently the advancement of
ecotourism around the world.
A key objective of WEC is to support host countries that are
in need of a global platform and leverage to champion, position
or support ecotourism policies and initiatives that will bring
transformational changes for the betterment of their economies,
people or environment. Each and every peer participant would be
recognised for their collective intellectual and moral support
to this not-for-profit common cause.
Aim of the Conference
- Sustainable Solutions and Practices
The 5th World Ecotourism Conference - "Marine
and Coastal Ecotourism: Oceans of Uncertainties, Waves of
Opportunities" aims to bring together policy makers and
stakeholders in island and coastal regions to network
effectively and to find sustainable solutions for overall development of coastal regions and contribute to the sustainability of these areas.
Marine & Coastal Ecotourism
- Sustainable Management and Marketing
Among the 55,000 islands in the oceans around the Asia and the Pacific region, there are many developing countries are turning to promote their marine, coastal and riverine natural resources for ecotourism. Instead of overexploiting marine resources, marine and coastal ecotourism provide excellent export opportunities for many developing countries especially small island state countries. Local governments are increasingly aware of the need to provide the necessary capacity building for local communities in conservation work and the business of ecotourism in order to ensure that the long term ecological sustainability of the natural resources and the financial sustainability of the business itself.
Promoting a sustainable model for marine and coastal ecotourism is in the interests of natural resource managers, environmentalists, tourism promotion agencies, and local communities who traditionally depend on the marine stock for their livelihood (Pinsky et al. 2005). If appropriate research, policies and strategies are embraced responsibly to balance the benefits between conservation, communities and commerce, sustainable activities for eco-tourists can be generated from marine resources instead of treating them solely as a food source.
20 February
Opening Ceremony
Session 1: Coastal Areas and Communities: Mitigating Vulnerability through Sustainability
Session 2: Destination Development: Socio-Economic Value Beyond Beaches.
21 February
Session 3: Marine Protected Areas (MPA) for Ecotourism
Session 4: Ecotourism Marketing: Critical Success Factors
22 February
Ecotourism technical tour to Bohol One of Philippines
many model ecotourism destinations. Not to be missed!
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