Planeta Forum

[planeta]

This week's work -- draft a declaration from the Urban Ecotourism Conference and your input specific to drafting and commenting on the declaration is welcome in this topic
>> http://forum.planeta.com/viewtopic.php?t=265

Your comments and observations about other subject matters is welcome in the continuing dialogue as well as in other topics in the Planeta Forum

Dialogue
http://forum.planeta.com/viewtopic.php?t=246

Defining Urban Ecotourism
http://forum.planeta.com/viewtopic.php?t=257

Current Statistics
http://forum.planeta.com/viewtopic.php?t=243


REFERENCE

dec?la?ra?tion
n.

1. An explicit, formal announcement, either oral or written.
2. The act or process of declaring.
3. A statement of taxable goods or of properties subject to duty.
4. Law.
a. A formal statement by a plaintiff specifying the facts and circumstances constituting his or her cause of action.
b. An unsworn statement of facts that is admissible as evidence.
5. Games. A bid, especially the final bid of a hand in certain card games.

Source: The American HeritageÆ Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

Declaration
>> http://a9.com/declaration

[Miker]

Here is my suggestion:

The tourism industry, cities, governments at all levels, relevant NGOís and the private sector must recognize that:

1. All tourism businesses and activities in an urban environment should strive to become more sustainable in all aspects of their operations, from site development through to marketing. This currently is, and should be further encouraged and stimulated, through community-based tourism, sustainable tourism (i.e. Oceans Blue, Blue Flag etc), green tourism (i.e. Green Globe, Green Leaf, Greenlinks etc), Geotourism, Smart Growth, Outdoor Access Codes, Urban Accessibility and other related programs and initiatives.

2. Where appropriate urban ecotourism should be encouraged and showcased. Urban ecotourism is more specifically those tourism businesses and activities in an urban environment that reflect the principles of ecotourism, and that:
ï Contribute actively to the restoration and conservation of natural and cultural heritage (including natural landscapes and biodiversity, and indigenous culture);
ï Maximize benefits locally;
ï Involve the local community as hosts;
ï Educate visitors and residents on heritage resources/issues and sustainability; and
ï Continually strive to reduce their ecological footprint.

3. Urban ecotourism is consistent with the concept of rural and/or wilderness ecotourism. The major differentiation is that urban ecotourism deals with restoration and conservation in an altered landscape versus the focus of ecotourism primarily on conservation in natural areas. Both concepts are consistent in preservation of cultural heritage, including indigenous cultures.

[planeta]

On the whole, I like Mike's declaration. My only caveat is that I don't think the declaration should endorse specific programs (i.e. Oceans Blue, Blue Flag, Green Globe etc).

Second, I would suggest more active wording. For example: "Where appropriate urban ecotourism should be encouraged and showcased."

I would edit as "Where appropriate city government, promotion boards, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders should encourage and showcase urban ecotourism."

Comments?
Additional proposals?

Ron Mader

[planeta]

Rachel Dodds posted the following in the dialogue this morning. It's pertinent to the declaration so I'll copy it here:

In a declaration there should be another few considerations or recommendations:

1. there has to be cooperation between different government bodies - such as the transport department needs to sit down with the tourism department and vice versa

2. there needs to be integration with higher levels of government - if the local government is promoting eco initiatives or wishes to offer tax cuts or planning gains for new buildings but does not have the support of the regional government, it is difficult to implement.

3. There needs to be buy-in and participation by all stakeholders. Tourism marketing often does not involve SME's, only large tourism players

[jshores]

I support much of Miker's framework and Ron's hesitation to endorse unproved programs.

Moving the urban sphere toward green cities, green government, green business, green energy, etc. should be an underlying goal. Endorsing sustainable travel and tourism should be an explicit goal. And identifying the specific niche for urban ecotourism should be where our Declaration really shines.

I worry that we seem unsure of our bottom line. When I argue that the real bottom line of ecotourism is the protection of biological diversity, I am searching for the fundamental measure of success that enables all of the other secondary goals: community participation and benefit, protection of historical and cultural aspects, provision of economic benefit, etc. to be achieved. The problem is that any definition that compromises on the biodiversity explicitly becomes unsustainable. I don't reject the secondary goals as undesirable; I simply make sure the system is sustainable first, before I burden it to meet the additional goals.

Sustainable (urban or non-urban) tourism means that the environmental conditions get no worse. Ecotourism means that the biodiversity condition gets better.

So I think the Declaration needs to identify its bottom line, the measure of success. Then explain where urban ecotiurism fits in the broader schema of tourism and particularly sustainable tourism. Then lay out a road map for steps to take, at different levels and by different entities, to reach the goals(s).

// John //

[Ana G Pando]

I strongly agree with John Shores revision which also makes the point of the declaration a closer goal to achieve, in my point of view. At the beginning of this conference I was cruising a sea of doubts about many things; now it seems I¥ve started scuba diving!!!

I think the declaration should try to help different actors focus into common goals. And as John Shores points with utmost clarity, the goal has to be making things better, or at least not worst.

So, I think that cooperation between environmental actors and tourist actors should be encouraged, in order to ensure that "eco oriented " actions undertaken in the cities are also visible in the tourist showcases, for I feel that there is no urban ecotourism city if there are not eco policies in the city, and there may well be many good urban eco policies but if they are not endorsed, supported and disseminated by tourist actors, then there is no urban ecotourism as that.

I¥m not being clear at all, I know, I plan to elaborate, but what I feel is that urban ecotourism is not a trend on itself but a tool that may help increase eco awareness in local actors ( tourism industry and residents) and in visitors, and most of all it has to be deeply embedded in a local eco friendly policy, and with which the urban ecotourism policy should be consistent.

Could it be that Urban ecotourism would be a specific compromise endorsed by local tourist actors in order to support and enhance local eco policies wherever they exist, or to promote urban eco policies where there are none? (oh my, the bell¥s ringing, I went far too deep!!!!)

[planeta]

Greetings, all

We are getting a lot of good ideas regarding the declaration. I would propose a real-time chat on Wednesday (October 6) at 1500 UTC/GMT. Antonis has kindly offered the use of ECOCLUB. Let's see if we can work out some agreement.

Ron

[Antonis]

Below is my proposal for an Urban Ecotourism Declaration:

Antonis
http://www.ecoclub.com

_____
Recognising urban centres as craddles of civilisation, socio-political progress, and examples of co-existence between diverse cultures

Recognising the importance of Ecotourism, in facilitating cultural exchange, environmental conservation, sustainable and equitable development

we, the participants of the first International Urban Ecotourism Conference, call on urban authorities around the world

- to recognise Urban Ecotourism (urban ecological tourism) as a phenomenon that combines the benefits of Urbanism and Ecotourism,
and

- to provide adequate infrastructure, public spaces, funds, personnel and legislation to facilitate the development of Urban Ecotourism
in an organised and systematic fashion, for the benefit of citizens and tourists alike.

[Miker]

I agree with Ronís comments about taking out the reference to specific programs in the proposed declaration. I put them in there to make the point clearly that there are many urban green and sustainable tourism initiatives ñ some proven, some unproven. Letís take them out. I also agree with Ronís revised wording.
I agree also with Johnís comments, particularly the point - Sustainable (urban or non-urban) tourism means that the environmental conditions get no worse. Ecotourism means that the biodiversity condition gets better. However we must not forget the other side of the ecotourism equation ñ the need to ensure net benefits to local people and in particular to local indigenous peoples. Ecotourism means that the biodiversity condition gets better as well as the situation for local indigenous peoples when they are present. The urban indigenous population is typically far worse off than their relatives living on reserves or rural/remote areas. Culturally they still need the strong connection with nature and the land, even if it is in an urban area.

[Miker]

I have a question for Antonis:
Which definition (or what principles) of ecotourism are you asking urban authorities to consider with your proposed declaration?

[Antonis]

Replying to Mike:

I am partial to the principles mentioned in the definition that ECOCLUB, International Ecotourism Club is using:

Ecotourism is not a segment of the tourism "industry" but a movement to change all tourism. In particular we define Ecotourism as a Tourism that:

1. tries to minimise its own environmental impact
2. funds local environmental & community projects
3. increases environmental & cultural knowledge
4. is open to & affordable for all

[Miker]

I have a couple of comments for Antonis on the EcoClub ecotourism principles.
1. How does a tourism business try to minimize its own environmental impact? Either they do or they donít.
2. In this era where there is no such thing as a mass market, where tourism businesses are able to target their markets, I donít think many would want to be open and affordable to all. They would want to be affordable, and provide good value, to their target market. Many people canít afford to go to Lapa Rios the award winning ecolodge in Costa Rica. Does that mean it is not ecotourism?
3. What is your perspective on the ecotourism principles defined in the Quebec Declaration which was developed with input from over 1,000 delegates from over 132 countries?

[Ana G Pando]

I feel the declaration issue is rising some points which are sore for many of us, mainly The Definition Issue, which is one of the problems the industry has been facing since we entered our " postmodernist" season... each view, each perception becomes a definition, and as John Shores pointed out, it is difficult even to get a bottom line, so I would like to add.. a bit more noise to the fray!

So let us go!

1. There are many different initiatives all round the world aiming at making urban environments more livable.

2.Some of these initiatives have sustainability at their core. Some ( less) even have the preservation of the biodiversity as a point and a goal. Some simply try to ease an environmental problem. ( In this, I feel that John Shores distinction between sustainabiliy and ecotourism is very clarifying, for it allows clear indicators to be set up)

3. Linking tourism industry with the city, as well as the city with tourism industry might help achieve some concrete environemntal goals as well as help increase local awareness towards sustainability and biodivesity protection ( this means: let us sit together city¥s environmental department with local tourism industry representatives and come up with a list of cncrete points at which they can cooperate: alternative transportation to popular tourist sites, recovering of species in a deforested area, ..)

4. As a result of a coordinated and consistent effort, new tourist resources would appear in the cities, so the effort would interest both local government and tourist industry as well for it might mean more tourists, or longer sojourns. (Let us not forget this is an industry..)

So I think that part of the declaration could aim at encouraging cities to enlist the tourism industry in their "livable cities" efforts, as well as encouraging tourist industry at local levels to endorse, support and disseminate local endeavours towards environmental and biodiversity protection by subscribing a charter of concrete actions that may help achieve this goals and encouraging tourists support as well as enjoy the results of these actions. Kind of. You all are far better at writing than me...

If the tourism industry is in charge of (or at least takes part in) disseminating these efforts, this would invariably mean that they will reach tourists.

I¥ll try to join in tomorrow at the chat!

[Antonis]

Replying to Miker

I think we are digressing, as we are not discussing my principles, but rather Urban Ecotourism. Still, please find below one more (final) reply:

1. Trying means actively trying, according to one's means. A poor community can not easily install the latest technology solar panel, or grey water recycling system.

2. Open and affordable to all is self-explanatory. Genuine Ecotourism is inclusive not elitist. Lux is not Eco, as any good dictionary will tell you.

3. I fully respect the Quebec Declaration, but I also reserve the right to think for myself. We are all entitled to an oppinion after all. If my oppinion interests you in particular, you can read 5 years of editorials at ECOCLUB - including one written by Ms Pam Wight, who of course was the Rapporteur to the Quebec World Ecotourism Summit
( http://ecoclub.com/news/043/ )

[Antonis]

It is very positive that no mention of specific certification programs (or of certification) has been made, as the declaration is no place to advertise specific business interests and projects.

Too much emphasis is placed on stakeholders, marketing and financiers,
rather than accountable local authorities, and there is no mention of equitable development, affordability, and access to all, or of legislation to facilitate the development of Urban Ecotourism in an organised and systematic fashion. Overall the draft is thus on the side of the free market and thus rather innocuous. It does not call for change, but rather encourages everyone to do everything a bit better, and it is implied things will improve, by the invisible hand of the market.

Nothing positive is said about urban centres, as craddles of progress and civilisation, and examples of co-existence between diverse cultures, as melting pots. It is implied that they are simply unlivable.

On the other hand I think we need to stress that Urban Ecotourism can be a vehicle to combat inner city (ghettos, favellas) poverty and crime, through the generation of meaningful jobs and cultural attractions in these areas and improved infrastructure - tourism infrastructure that will be there for the citizens too.

Overall, the rough draft is a good effort but did not incorporate some points which I believe are paramount, and I would like these added if I am to add my signature under a declaration.

I realise that the political oppinions & backgrounds of the participants of this conference are diverse (from neo liberal to neo communist), but rather than be edited out or fused in a document, which will end up toothless and meaningless, I would prefer to see all interesting diverse oppinions included, even if they appear contradictory.