star news: Ecotourism Research Corner: Destination ...

Ecotourism Destination Planning Guidelines (Eagles and Agyeman, 2011)

Ecotourism, with its potential merits as an economic device and conservation tool, has often been adopted for achieving economic, social and ecological sustainability of many systems. It also provides visitors with phenomenal experience with nature and create sustainable livelihoods for local communities to support conservation. However, within some contexts, ecotourism fails to provide equitable distribution of benefits to all stakeholders.

This observed limitation has been attributed to poor planning process and in some cases disenfranchised relevant stakeholders with adverse consequences for the natural resources which form the bases of ecotourism. This supports the argument that ecotourism sometimes carries the seeds of its own problems unless well planned and managed.

Ecotourism is a formidable economic and conservation strategy, however, the planning process is critical to achieving its inherent benefits. This guide serves as a framework for planning ecotourism to facilitate the realization of its potential and generate sustainable benefits for stakeholders. It serves as a compass, directing and guiding ecotourism planners through the various signposts and essential components to achieve successfully planned and developed ecotourism destination.

Editors: Paul F. J. Eagles, Professor, Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo; Yaw Boakye Agyeman, graduate student, Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo

Authors: Heather Barlow, graduate student, Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo; Lingxu Zhou, graduate student, Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo; Jessica Kidd, undergraduate student, Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo; Micah J. Hewer, graduate student, Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo; Laura Wiebe, graduate student, Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo; Krisztian Vas, graduate student, Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo.

>> Download the full paper from TIES Research Corner

Professor Paul F. J. Eagles, Tourism Policy and Planning, University of Waterloo

Professor Paul Eagles, TIES Professional Member, is a Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Waterloo. He is an environmental planner with a broad interest in the application of ecology and planning theory to environmental conservation. Professionally, as a biologist and a planner, he has a long standing interest in the planning of national parks and other forms of protected areas. His research interests lie within the wide range of subjects involved with environmental planning, including park planning and management, applied ecology, ecotourism, park tourism, outdoor recreation, environmental assessment and resource management, as well as outdoor and environmental education. Professor Eagles works in the field that connects theory in science to public law and policy. Over his long career, he has been involved in research and professional practice in many aspects of environmental policy development and implementation.

Partnership Approaches to Destination Stewardship

Krisztian Vas (Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo), co-author of the ?Destination Planning Guidelines?, will be presenting at the upcoming Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC), sharing their research on ?Utilizing the Product Club Approach for Planning a Bird Watching Trail?.

TRACK 3 ? PARTNERSHIPS IN PRESS, POLICY AND POLITICS
3.3 Partners in Stewardship: Supporting Collaboration among Planners, Managers and Operators
This session discusses practical issues, case studies and examples related to implementing ecotourism and sustainable tourism principles in the field. From site design and land management to stakeholder involvement, the session will offer insights into effective strategies for tourism planners, managers and operators with the goals of enhancing effective collaboration among stakeholders and supporting best practices in sustainable tourism development.

Speakers:

Led by Mr. Paul Radchenko, Tourism Development Planner, Government of Alberta and TIES Board member, this session includes both expert presentations by the following speakers, and interactive discussions* with industry representatives (such as local operators, conservation organizations, small businesses), to ask questions about the implementation of the models discussed by the presenters; to share their insights on how the models could be improved to better suite business needs and priorities; to discuss ideas related to the application of lessons learned.

*If you are attending the ESTC, and would like to join this session ?3.3 Partners in Stewardship? as one of the industry representatives to ask questions and share your insights, please contact speakers[at]ecotourism.org.

ESTC 2011: September 19-21, Hilton Head Island, SC

Hosted by Hilton Head Island, SC, the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) will be held from September 19-21, 2011. Bringing together 500+ business leaders, industry professionals and community stakeholders, the ESTC 2011 will feature dynamic sessions, public forums and social functions that offer eye-opening insights into the latest on sustainable business strategies and unparalleled networking and knowledge-sharing experiences.