Planeta Forum

[planeta]

News and announcements from the International Centre for Responsible Tourism
http://www.icrtourism.org

[goodwinhj]

Thanks Ron for setting this up - we are pleased to be part of Planeta.

[goodwinhj]

Incredible India Second International Conference on

Responsible Tourism in Destinations

Venue: Le Meridien, Kochi, Kerala

21st March - Academic Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations

22nd -24th March - Second International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations.

Following on from the Cape Town Conference held in 2002, the Kerala Conference will look at the development of Responsible Tourism around the world over the last 5 years. Apart from sharing experiences from destinations and businesses across the world, the Conference will also focus attention on initiatives and practices in India. The efforts of Kerala tourism in adopting Responsible Tourism will also be explored during the Conference through field trips and discussion. .

There is a rich programme of speakers and a wealth of experience to be shared, debated, and reflected upon. The Kerala Conference will

1. review progress since the Cape Town Declaration in 2002
2. identify the lessons learned about how to achieve Responsible Tourism
3. explore the ways in which the ideas can be spread
4. define current international best practice and the priorities for the next five years.

The Conference will be opened by Mrs. Ambika Soni, the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Government of India, other key note speakers include Renton de Alwis , Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Board, Angel B Colley the Secretary of State, Department of State for Tourism and Culture, The Republic of the Gambia and Fiona Jeffrey , Chairman, World Travel Market. There are speakers from South Africa, The Gambia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Bhutan talking about what has been achieved in destinations and experts talking about hotels, tour operators, destinations, CBT, planning, marketing, poverty reduction, the role of NGOs and a day of case studies and Indian experiences.

It would be good to see you there.

Full details of the key note speakers from government and the industry are available at

www.responsibletourism2008.org/updates.php


Register at

www.responsibletourism2008.org/registration.php

[goodwinhj]

In the last 14 days, the ICRT has received approval for a new MSc in Responsible Hospitality Management, to be launched in September 2008. and has secured funding for four new academic posts (two Senior Lecturers and two Senior Research Fellows) for the ICRT and a full time senior administrator. This provides a firm basis for continuing to build the ICRT. At Leeds Metropolitan University we have found a worthy home in an institution which shares our commitment to responsible business and sustainable development.

[malcahuz]

January 2009 is the next start date for part time study of the MSc Responsible Tourism Management and MSc Responsible Hospitality Management, while full time study is only available for September 2009 start.

In four months you can be studying responsible tourism and hospitality part time, on our industry driven masters programmes. We teach intensive blocks mainly at weekends and spread payments over 7 installments to make it easier to return to study while keeping your job full time.

Our courses are most popular with graduates working in tourism for several years, who are disappointed with the way the sector is not taking sustainability seriously. Also about half of our students have backgrounds in environmental sciences, business studies, conservation, forestry, development... but a passion for travel and tourism, and the belief that they can make a difference.

Both courses focus on change management. That is, not philosophising about what sustainability is or isn't, but practically looking for ways that as an individual, and as part of the ICRT community, you can contribute to positive change.

"We can no longer study irresponsible tourism in a theoretical way, it is time that learning can be applied and we can collectively make a difference" says Prof. Harold Goodwin, the founder of the course and its most inspirational teacher.

"The ICRT is at the cutting edge of responsible tourism internationally, this is why I have joined this team", says Dr Rebecca Hawkins, our newly appointed international expert with 15 years changing practice and lobbying specially in environmental management of hotels, leading our new programme teaching and researching for the hospitality sector. " The recent expansion in the ICRT provides the greatest concentration of responsible entrepreneurial academics in the world, this will become the think tank of responsible tourism and I must be part of it".

Speak to us about your interest in responsible tourism and hospitality, and we can look at how to tailor make the programme to suit your needs.

Tel: +44 (0) 113 8125880.
Skype: I.C.R.T
E-mail: icrt@leedsmet.ac.uk

[goodwinhj]

In 2008-9 the ICRT at Leeds Met is running two Masters Modules in The Gambia with ICRT West Africa
Previous students have found The Gambia courses really worth while - an opportunity to sit alongside Gambians and to see the issues through their eyes

* "The week in The Gambia was an invaluable opportunity for me. I was able to witness first hand the issues I had learnt on the Poverty Reduction through Tourism module at Leeds Metropolitan University. The fact that we shared the week with professional Gambians working in the tourism industry made it a fantastic experience" Allison Keech



* "Responsible Tourism is a contested concept. If you would like to get insight in the true meaning of the concept, I can not think of a better place to start this journey than in Gambia with the ICRT West Africa and their partners. Their course in Responsible Tourism is truly a great opportunity for anyone professional or student in tourism to learn more about tourism. The course was given with professionalism and enthusiasm and the course was very stimulating. I can highly recommend it to anyone. Tomas.Thernstrom



* "Being a student to 'new' responsible tourism, this week really opened my eyes to the very practical issues faced by a destination adopting RT. It was a truly enjoyable experience working with our Gambian hosts who were either employed or affiliated to the tourism industry. Learning about RT as 'hosts' and 'guests' provided a rare opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of how ' real-life' difficulties have been and continue to be overcome . I highly recommend this course – nothing can replace the knowledge gained from such an experience." Diane Masters





This year for the first time you can complete the formal requirements for LED & PPT and Responsible Tourism in Destinations in The Gambia

1. Tourism for Local Economic Development and Poverty Reduction - the Cultural Heritage Dimension (followed by a two and a half day course on ASSET). Saturday 6 to Thursday 11 December 2008 and optional extension 13-15 December

Course Leader: Harold Goodwin ICRT at Leeds Metropolitan University

Optional Extension 13, 14 & 15 December The Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism Fee £110 (including the one day excursion)

Course Leaders: Adama Bah and Harold Goodwin ICRT Leeds Metropolitan University

2 Responsible Tourism in Destinations

Saturday 21 to Friday 27 March 2009 (for Leeds Met students taking the module this way attendance on all 7 days is mandatory)

Course Leader: Harold Goodwin ICRT at Leeds Metropolitan University
For full details down load
www.haroldgoodwin.info/uploads/ICRT WA Courses 2008'9.doc


To register itnerest or book contact Maria
"Maria Alcahuz-Chacon" <M.Alcahuz-Chacon@leedsmet.ac.uk>,

[goodwinhj]

In 2008-9 the ICRT at Leeds Met is running two Masters Modules in The Gambia with ICRT West Africa
Previous students have found The Gambia courses really worth while - an opportunity to sit alongside Gambians and to see the issues through their eyes

* "The week in The Gambia was an invaluable opportunity for me. I was able to witness first hand the issues I had learnt on the Poverty Reduction through Tourism module at Leeds Metropolitan University. The fact that we shared the week with professional Gambians working in the tourism industry made it a fantastic experience" Allison Keech



* "Responsible Tourism is a contested concept. If you would like to get insight in the true meaning of the concept, I can not think of a better place to start this journey than in Gambia with the ICRT West Africa and their partners. Their course in Responsible Tourism is truly a great opportunity for anyone professional or student in tourism to learn more about tourism. The course was given with professionalism and enthusiasm and the course was very stimulating. I can highly recommend it to anyone. Tomas.Thernstrom



* "Being a student to 'new' responsible tourism, this week really opened my eyes to the very practical issues faced by a destination adopting RT. It was a truly enjoyable experience working with our Gambian hosts who were either employed or affiliated to the tourism industry. Learning about RT as 'hosts' and 'guests' provided a rare opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of how ' real-life' difficulties have been and continue to be overcome . I highly recommend this course – nothing can replace the knowledge gained from such an experience." Diane Masters





This year for the first time you can complete the formal requirements for LED & PPT and Responsible Tourism in Destinations in The Gambia

1. Tourism for Local Economic Development and Poverty Reduction - the Cultural Heritage Dimension (followed by a two and a half day course on ASSET). Saturday 6 to Thursday 11 December 2008 and optional extension 13-15 December

Course Leader: Harold Goodwin ICRT at Leeds Metropolitan University

Optional Extension 13, 14 & 15 December The Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism Fee £110 (including the one day excursion)

Course Leaders: Adama Bah and Harold Goodwin ICRT Leeds Metropolitan University

2 Responsible Tourism in Destinations

Saturday 21 to Friday 27 March 2009 (for Leeds Met students taking the module this way attendance on all 7 days is mandatory)

Course Leader: Harold Goodwin ICRT at Leeds Metropolitan University
For full details down load
www.haroldgoodwin.info/uploads/ICRT WA Courses 2008'9.doc


To register itnerest or book contact Maria
"Maria Alcahuz-Chacon" <M.Alcahuz-Chacon@leedsmet.ac.uk>,

[goodwinhj]

In 2008-9 the ICRT at Leeds Met is running two Masters Modules in The Gambia with ICRT West Africa
Previous students have found The Gambia courses really worth while - an opportunity to sit alongside Gambians and to see the issues through their eyes

* "The week in The Gambia was an invaluable opportunity for me. I was able to witness first hand the issues I had learnt on the Poverty Reduction through Tourism module at Leeds Metropolitan University. The fact that we shared the week with professional Gambians working in the tourism industry made it a fantastic experience" Allison Keech



* "Responsible Tourism is a contested concept. If you would like to get insight in the true meaning of the concept, I can not think of a better place to start this journey than in Gambia with the ICRT West Africa and their partners. Their course in Responsible Tourism is truly a great opportunity for anyone professional or student in tourism to learn more about tourism. The course was given with professionalism and enthusiasm and the course was very stimulating. I can highly recommend it to anyone. Tomas.Thernstrom



* "Being a student to 'new' responsible tourism, this week really opened my eyes to the very practical issues faced by a destination adopting RT. It was a truly enjoyable experience working with our Gambian hosts who were either employed or affiliated to the tourism industry. Learning about RT as 'hosts' and 'guests' provided a rare opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of how ' real-life' difficulties have been and continue to be overcome . I highly recommend this course – nothing can replace the knowledge gained from such an experience." Diane Masters





This year for the first time you can complete the formal requirements for LED & PPT and Responsible Tourism in Destinations in The Gambia

1. Tourism for Local Economic Development and Poverty Reduction - the Cultural Heritage Dimension (followed by a two and a half day course on ASSET). Saturday 6 to Thursday 11 December 2008 and optional extension 13-15 December

Course Leader: Harold Goodwin ICRT at Leeds Metropolitan University

Optional Extension 13, 14 & 15 December The Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism Fee £110 (including the one day excursion)

Course Leaders: Adama Bah and Harold Goodwin ICRT Leeds Metropolitan University

2 Responsible Tourism in Destinations

Saturday 21 to Friday 27 March 2009 (for Leeds Met students taking the module this way attendance on all 7 days is mandatory)

Course Leader: Harold Goodwin ICRT at Leeds Metropolitan University
For full details down load
www.haroldgoodwin.info/uploads/ICRT WA Courses 2008'9.doc


To register itnerest or book contact Maria
"Maria Alcahuz-Chacon" <M.Alcahuz-Chacon@leedsmet.ac.uk>,

[planeta]

FYI - We are paying attention to ICRT on Twitter!

Belize
http://twitter.com/ICRTBelize

Canada
http://twitter.com/icrt_canada

More about twitter and tourism applications here
http://planeta.wikispaces.com/twitter

[planeta]

Videos on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/icrtourism

[planeta]

Congratulations! The ICRT Conference in Belize is going well!

News on twitter
http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23rtbelize09