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Register!
Join us in the 4th World Ecotourism Conference 2012 in South Korea. It is going to be the most important conference ever as ecotourism plays a role in promoting transfrontier peace.
Website: www.WEC2012Korea.com
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Dear WEC2010 Delegates,
I wish to thank all Sponsors especially Tourism Malaysia, distinguished Keynote Speakers, Invited Speakers, Academic Presenters, Suppliers, Volunteers and Delegates who came near and far from 45 countries, contributing to the success of this Conference.
I hope that all of you had excellent networking and with the new found friendships. With the enthusiasm for cooperation and collaboration arising from this gathering, I look forward to meeting all of you again at WEC2011, and together we strive to move forward.
My heartfelt appreciation goes to H.E. Dr Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO as well as to Mr Xu Jing, UNWTO Representative for Asia and The Pacific and H.E. Datuk Dr Victor Wee, UNWTO Programme Committee Chairman, without whom this Conference would not have reached this level of global acceptance and success.
I am also most grateful to the hosts, the Government of Malaysia, H.E. Dato' Seri Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia for his intervention and support, H.E. Dato Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Chief Minister of Perak who officiated the Opening together with YB Dato' Dr Awang Sidek bin Husin, Deputy Minister of Finance and YBhg Dato Dr Ong Hong Peng, Secretary-General, Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia.
The debut peer reviewed academic session which attracted ecotourism researchers from countries as far as France and Germany was a great success; thanks to the untiring efforts of Prof Amran Hamzah of Centre of Innovation, Planning and Development (CIPD), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and his team.
Prof Trevor Sofield from the University of Tasmania, Australia chaired the plenary sessions and wrapped up the conclusions of WEC2010 excellently.
Once again to all delegates, thank you for attending WEC2010. Do invite your colleagues, associates and friends for WEC2011, as WEC is set to be the most important networking event "movers and shakers" in the global ecotourism fraternity. The host and venue for WEC2011 will be announced soon.
Kind Regards,
Lee Choon Loong
WEC2010 Conference Convenor
DISCOVERYMICE - President/CEO
LeeChoonLoong@WorldEcotourismConference.com
Opening Ceremony of WEC2010
From Left: Prof. Trevor Sofield, Conference Chairman; H.E. Datuk Dr Victor Wee, Chairman of UNWTO Programme Committee; YB Dato Dr Awang Adek, Deputy Finance Minister; YAB Dato Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Chief Minister of Perak; YBhg Dato Dr Ong Hong Peng, Secretary-General, Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia.
Thursday
June 10, 2010
Perak to put Royal Belum on world map
TELUK INTAN: Perak is planning to put its Royal Belum tropical rainforest on the world map for eco-tourism during an international conference in July.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the state would officially launch the Royal Belum’s eco-tourism industry during the three-day World Eco-Tourism Conference in Kuala Lumpur on July 8 to 10.
“The conference will also be renamed as the Royal Belum Eco-Tourism Conference,” he told reporters after chairing an executive council member meeting here yesterday.
Conference Convenor Lee Choon Loong said the name of the conference was changed to elevate the status of Royal Belum tropical rainforest into a world-class eco-tourism spot.
“About 400 participants from 40 countries will take part in the conference.
“Promoting Royal Belum will be our main priority during World Tourism Day in September,” said Lee, who is also Malaysian Ecotourism Associa-tion secretary-general.
Lee said the conference was also a platform to promote other eco-tourism spots that had yet to gain recognition.
Laos hosted the conference last year.
The Objectives:
For the betterment of sustainable tourism economies, people and environment
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.
Reference Link:
1st World Ecotourism Conference, Vientiane, Lao PDR
The Speakers:
Leaders who inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more
View list of
eminent speakers at WEC
WEC2010:
The most important platform for ecotourism development and the future
The
forthcoming 2nd World Ecotourism
Conference 2010's (WEC2010) theme is
"Urban Ecotourism & Biodiversity
Hotspots in
Developing Countries: Shifting Paradigms
and Strategic Adaptations".
Besides discussing the impact of climate change and adaptation on ecotourism and the need for a paradigm shift resolution, topics include other equally critical issues.
The Conference has taken into consideration of affirmative actions in the Vientiane Declaration for Ecotourism particularly capacity building and role of academia as well as the empowerment of youth and women in organising this Conference.
Programme in brief
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CONFERENCE THEME - Urban Ecotourism & Responsible Travel in Developing Countries: Shifting Paradigms and Strategic Adaptations. |
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BUSINESS SESSIONS - International Green Tourism Expo & Mart |
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TOURS & VISITS - WEC2010 Technical & Post-Tours to UNESCO World Heritage Sites & Potential Sites |
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NETWORKING - Public - Private Sector & Buyer - Seller Pre-Scheduled One-to-One Networking Meetings |
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PARALLEL TRACKS |
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Track 1 - Academic & Research |
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Track 2 - Travel and Tourism Trade |
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Track 3a - Academic & Research |
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Track 3b - National & Regional Meetings |
Global Overview
To provide a global overview of ecotourism around the world, the results and outcomes of various international ecotourism conferences will also be invited to be presented at the World Ecotourism Conferences.
Examples of developing areas given special emphasis are The Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), the Indonesia-Malaysia-Singapore (IMS-GT) Growth Triangle and the Brunei Darussalam- Indonesia - Malaysia -Philippines - East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
Networking & Learning Opportunities
The
2010 World Ecotourism Conference, with
the contribution, support and enthusiasm
of committed partners, will provide an
exciting and engaging forum for
discussion of current issues, solutions
and best practice case studies. Get to
know the Speakers and "who's who" in the
ecotourism fraternity. Great networking
opportunities will be engaged in a set
of cultural program and technical tours.
Moving up ecotourism along the value chain
The World Ecotourism Conference 2010 is
introducing a parallel track for an Academia Session in which
postgraduate students, academics & researchers are given the
opportunity to present their papers and
posters.
This novel idea is in response to the overwhelming feedback and queries from academics who felt that they could have added value to WEC2009 held in Vientiane, by presenting their latest research findings on areas related to ecotourism (Link: Vientiane Declaration on Ecotourism for Developing Countries).
In recognition of the crucial role of academics and researchers in shaping the philosophy, theories, concepts and techniques associated with ecotourism, the Academic Session is aimed at showcasing and disseminating research findings that are focusing on moving up ecotourism along the value chain.
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Malaysia, Truly Eco |
The
Conference is held in Malaysia which has
won several ecotourism awards and the
individuals in the private sector have
received international acclaims and
accolades for their best practices in
ecotourism.
Malaysia is an amazing country with countless abundance of biodiversity. It is not surprising to find that 75 percent of Malaysia’s land area remains forested, with 60 percent virgin rainforest, unchanged for millions of years.
The country is bestowed with numerous natural attractions such as amazing and diverse flora and fauna, white sandy beaches, exotic marine aqua life, dense rainforests and the oldest and largest caves in the world.
Unlock the mysteries of Malaysia, one of the twelve mega-biologically diverse countries in the world, which boasts at least 15,000 species of flowering plants, 286 species of mammals, 150,000 species of invertebrates, and 4,000 species of fishes in addition to the countless micro-organisms.
Moments in Time
Opening Ceremony of WEC2009 in Vientiane, Lao PDR
15 - 17 July 2009
From Left: H.E. Shri Sultan Ahmed, State Minister of Tourism India; H.E. Mr Somphong Mongkhonvilay, Lao Minister of Tourism; Mr. Eugenio Yunis Asst Deputy Secretary General UNWTO, H.E. Mr. Bouasone Bouphavanh, Prime Minister of Lao PDR
Website: www.weco2009laos.com
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World Ecotourism Conference 2010 was officiated by Y.A.B. Dato' Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Chief Minister of Perak on 8th July 2010 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Grand Ballroom Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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The Organisers and Supporting Partners wish to thank all who have participated in WEC2009, WEC2010 and look forward to their participation and networking again next year.
Lee Choon Loong
WEC2010 Conference Convenor
Opening Ceremony of WEC2010
From Left: Prof. Trevor Sofield, Conference Chairman; YB Dato Dr Awang Adek, Deputy Finance Minister; H.E. Datuk Dr Victor Wee, Chairman of UNWTO Programme Committee; YAB Dato Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Chief Minister of Perak; Mr Lee Choon Loong, Conference Convenor; YBhg Dato Dr Ong Hong Peng, Secretary-General, Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia.
World Ecotourism Conference 2010 Statistics
No of Registered Delegates & Speakers: 350
No of Participating Countries: 45 countries from 5 continents
No of Invited Speakers: 48 speakers from 18 countries
No of International Youth Volunteers: 10 volunteers from 9 countries
The Opportunities:
Seize the opportunity and make a difference
Knowing is not enough, you must apply. Willing is not enough, you must do.
Special Thanks to:
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (Venue Sponsor)
Special Thanks to:
Ms Irna Carina Josephine Kaban (Indonesia)
Ms Shehani Lanthe Peris (Sri Lanka)
Mr Jonathan Haeger (Germany)
Ms Denise Cheah Su Lin (Malaysia)
Ms Candie Yu Cobiao (Philippines)
Ms Kailey Hughes (Canada)
Mr Jack Milroy (Australia)
Ms Nattanan Kittisuwan (Thailand)
Ms Kareen Oloroso (Philippines)
Ms Metta Natalia Widya (Indonesia)
Special Thanks to:
Mr Masaru Takayama (Japan)
Ms Chan Yuen-Li (Malaysia)
Mr Bruce Hancock (Thailand)
Ms Roselle C. Tenefrancia (Philippines)
View Orang Utan Post-Conference Tour
(KK Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd)
Special Thanks to:
Ms Alicia Gomes (Managing Director)
MESSAGE OF H.E DR. TALEB RIFAI,
SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION
ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD ECOTOURISM CONFERENCE 2010
The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives. The tourism industry and travelers at large are invited to take action in 2010 and beyond to safeguard the variety of life on earth: Biodiversity.
In joining and consolidating this global campaign, UNWTO and the international tourism community will be celebrating the 30th World Tourism Day (WTD) in Guangdong Province of China on 27th September 2010 under the theme Tourism and Biodiversity.
It is not too late for Governments, the private sector, academia, civil societies and media to act upon the challenges of safeguarding biodiversity, and I am confident that the tourism community will work hand in hand with the scientific community and forge ahead to develop viable solutions, innovative ideas and strategic adaptations that can close the divide between tourism socio-economic pursuits and conservation of biodiversity.
While ecotourism plays an important role as a socio-economic driver to boost local economies and communities, ecotourism industry stakeholders from both the public and private sectors are strongly urged to assess ecological impacts, embrace best practices in sustainable tourism development and rise as true champions of tourism and biodiversity.
On this note and preceding the celebratory launch of Tourism and Biodiversity on World Tourism Day 2010 in China, I must congratulate DISCOVERYMICE, an affiliate member of UNWTO on organizing the 2nd World Ecotourism Conference 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 8th to 10th July 2010. UNWTO lauds noble initiatives that bring global tourism players together to network, collaborate and share their experiences, best practices, technologies for the betterment of nature conservation, environment protection, preservation of communities and consequently the advancement of sustainable tourism around the world.
UNWTO endorsed the Vientiane Declaration on Ecotourism for Developing Countries in 2009 on the occasion of the World Ecotourism Conference held in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
I am confident that with the participation of eminent speakers and delegates from over 30 countries, the discussions and proceedings of the Kuala Lumpur Conference will help to assist countries that are in need of global knowledge and leverage to champion, position and support ecotourism policies and initiatives that will bring transformational changes for the betterment of their economies, people or environment.
I wish the Conference every success.
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H.E. Dr Taleb Rifai Secretary-General World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) 15th June 2010 |
The Challenge:
A new roadmap for solving Global Warming?
Climate change presents the region with tremendous challenges. The Asia-Pacific Region is the world’s fastest growing region and one of the major sources of greenhouse gases, likely to be severely affected by the impact of global warming on regional economies, environment, society and the lives of ordinary citizens.
The mission and aims of the new UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development in Asia and the Pacific Region are in line with the UNESCO mission and programmes: International research collaboration and capacity building, with a special focus on initiatives within the region.
The forecasts of the UN Habitat Forum indicate that over 90 per cent urban growth over the next 15 years which will occur primarily in developing countries.
Asia alone will account for more than half of the world’s urban population. While the Asia-Pacific Region is experiencing rapid economic growth and extensive urbanization, coupled with continued population increases, the region still faces the challenging issues of poverty and insufficient sustainable management of its urbanization processes.
Many of the current developments negatively impact on natural resources and the environment through poor planning, misinformed urban design, air and water pollution and an increase in waste generation.
The UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development
for Asia and the Pacific Region
http://www.slab.com.au/unescoslab.php
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The Responsible Tourism Network: |
Traversing the globe, we are one community
Although this Conference aims to bring global ecotourism players physically together but this is obviously not possible. Here they reach out to you with what they do for others.
Across the 5 continents are these examples of responsible tourism entrepreneurs who give back to communities that they work with and respect the nature and environment that they impact on. They are ambassadors of their own world to the world.
You are touched when they share with you the experiences of their rich cultures and traditions, their pristine nature and abundant wildlife ever so openly. You know that you have touched them too, by their smiles when you arrive but cry when you leave. Welcome to the World Ecotourism Conference Responsible Network.
Marketing
Inviting eco-tour operators and entrepreneurs ..
If
you are a passionate ecotourism
entrepreneur, operator,
caretaker or stakeholder who
strives to promote and deliver
quality interpretative
experiences of local
communities, conservation of
nature and heritage or
preservation of environment and
cultures of your own country,
all in a sustainable manner, we
welcome you to join the WEC
Responsible Tourism fraternity
and invite you to submit your
special ecotourism tours or
programs for consideration to be
published and promoted through
this official website of the
World Ecotourism Conference.
Write & send info to :
eco-operators@WorldEcotourismConference.com
Acceptance of content for publication is at sole discretion of the Organisers.
Presentations
Public Sector-Private Sector Meeting Sessions
and Inter Governmental Bilateral Meetings
Advance appointments to schedule one-to-one meetings for confirmed delegates
Delegates from the public and private sector in
the region are expected take this opportunity to
strengthen collaboration in addressing social,
economic and environment challenges. Companies
in Asia, Europe and US that want to cooperate
with partners in the Asia Pacific region on
sustainable tourism can arrange meetings at
World Ecotourism Conference 2010.
Bilateral Meeting rooms are provided subject to early booking and confirmation.
Ecotourism Destination/Product Workshops
Update Workshops by NTOs/National Ecotourism Associations
National Tourist Offices and National Ecotourism Associations from countries with strong ecotourism products will be invited to present their destination update on their ecotourism destinations and attractions; award-winning products, new ecotourism sites, popular eco-lodges and eco-tours as well as NTO development and marketing incentive offers. This is an excellent opportunity for both Sellers and Buyers to be part of the ecotourism suppy chain, network and build business connections.
Ask-the-Guru Dialogue Sessions
Do you have nagging issues about the rave and rant about the principles of ecotourism?
Top ecotourism experts will share with you their knowledge, experiences and outlook in their professional and practical application of ecotourism in various situations and scenarios. For those in need of a reality check, this is a must-attend.
Green Hotel Workshops for Hotel General Managers and Director of Sales & Marketing
How to green a hotel? Who are the green travellers? How to market green hotels? Who cares about green?
These workshops are fast and straight to the point with quick and easy tips in making green work for you. * Monetize your customers environmental initiatives & contribution. * Price your green products/services comparable to existing prices. * Emphasise health and saving benefits to sustainability initiatives * Learn more at WEC2010.
Food for Thought
Focus on Ecotourism - Dato Seri Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism, Malaysia
Asia's permanent advantage: Leaving Europe and North America further behind? - E Turbo News Feature
Vientiane Declaration on Ecotourism in Developing Countries - 1st World Ecotourism Conference, Vientiane, Laos
Who should attend?
The Conference is targetted at :-
PRIVATE SECTOR
Tourism entrepreneurs, investors, operators, tour operators/owners, lodge owners and lodge operators, owners of budget hotels to five star resorts, park authorities management staff, tourist guides, eco-accommodation architects and engineers, hoteliers,
ACADEMIA
Deans. professors, lecturers, researchers and university students
PUBLIC SECTOR
Ministers, parlimentarians, local government authorities, public sector agencies in tourism, culture or environment, researchers, members of think tanks and policy makers
NGOs
Not-for-profit non-governmental organisations involved in social, economic and environmental conservation activities
ANYONE
Those who wish to learn, invest, operate or contribute to the growing sustainable tourism industry. Those who wish to know about the latest information on ecotourism markets, trends and marketing strategies will find the Conference relevant and rewarding.
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