Biography
Professor David Bellamy is a botanist, ecologist, author, broadcaster and consultant. Professor David Bellamy is one of the most widely recognised and respected naturalists in the world. Former Chair, British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, and Co-founder Ford European Conservation Awards.

He is author of over 80 scientific papers and 44 books and the writer and presenter of some 400 television progammes on botany, ecology and environment. He has also received numerous awards and honours, including the Order of the British Empire, the Dutch Order of the Golden Ark, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award for Underwater Research, the Richard Dimbleby Award, the United Nations Environment Program UNEP Global 500 Award, the British Association of Communicators in Business - Environmental Communicator of the Year Award, the Guild of Travel Writers Award, and the Busk Medal of the Royal Geographic Society.

He is well known in Australia for his TV programmes such as “Botanic Man” and “Up a Gum Tree” as well as being the face of Goulburn Valley Fruit for many years. He became legendary when a global TV audience of around 40 million saw his arrest in Tasmania protesting against the Franklin River Dam.

DISNEY LAND? DONE THAT!
Ever since Eve squatted down somewhere in the Rift Valley biosphere her descendants have been on the move searching for a new Garden of Eden.

Haydyn Bromley, tour operator, is a qualified teacher and an experienced guide. He is an Adnyamathanha person from the Flinders Ranges. Haydyn provides diverse interpretations of the land that can only be truly explained and told by a local, as well as personal insights and experiences that are both historical and cultural.

A Bookabee tour will take you on an incredible journey through breath-taking scenery with rugged mountains, scenic gorges, historic outback towns and abundant wildlife. Our tours incorporate first hand knowledge of the culture and heritage of the local Adnyamathanha people, which enriches the visitors understanding and experiences of the outback. Hear Aboriginal Creation stories that will bring geographical features to life, and visit sites to see ancient paintings and engravings. We take pride in sharing exclusive locations and culturally significant sites only accessible with the accompaniment of a local Adnyamathanha guide.

Creating Memorable Aboriginal Experiences

Kym has 25 years experience in the tourism industry including managing a tourism industry association and two convention bureaux. She holds a Masters in Tourism Management and was a part time teacher in Tourism Marketing at the University of Canberra.

Ecotourism Australia was formed in 1991 as an incorporated non-profit organisation, and is the peak national body for the ecotourism industry. Ecotourism Australia is committed to growing, consolidating and promoting ecotourism and other sustainable tourism operations, through approaches such as:
developing and adopting standards for sustainable practices
increasing the professionalism of those working within the tourism industry
streamlining policies and processes that have in the past complicated operating in protected areas
assisting operators to improve the quality of interpretation offered about the places they visit
improving positioning and financial viability for operators who adopt sustainable practices
contributing to conservation solutions and projects; involving and providing benefits to local communities
marketing the principles of sustainability to increase awareness across the tourism industry

Ecotourism Australia Opening

I am a former Council Member of the Australian National Museum, Canberra.

As a result of my interest in history and museums, I have been working with the Corroora Historical Society which has established a special area for Gubbi Gubbi people’s culture.

My family has inherited sporting abilities from my great-great grandfather who was a member of Australia’s first national cricket team (it was all Aboriginal and toured England). I am former discus champion of Queensland, captained the State Netball side and represented Australia as part of the 1956 Olympic Training Squad. At the time I was Victorian Discus Champion, South Australian and world record holder (for height & weight) in Discus.

I teach language, have written several books, including “Conned” which won a David Unaipon prize.

At present I am writing the history of the Gubbi Gubbi people and a novel.

Welcome to Country

Biography
Entrepreneur, marketing expert and travel industry veteran, Jena Gardner turned a lifelong passion for travel into a thriving enterprise. In 2002 she founded JG Black Book of Travel, and has built it into a highly successful consulting firm that provides expert marketing, promotion and sales services to the world’s finest travel providers.

Ms. Gardner is also the co-founder and president of The Bodhi Tree Foundation, a non-profit organization mobilizing travelers to support environmental and humanitarian initiatives across the globe. Recently Ms. Gardner launched her newest venture, The Traveler’s Collection, a retail website featuring a collection of home décor, apparel and accessories from artisans around the globe.

Ms. Gardner’s innovative approach to business has garnered her several accolades and awards, including the 2009 HSMAI Adrian Award, recognizing her as one of the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing and the 2009 Enterprising Women of the Year Award. JG Black Book of Travel was also listed on the 2009 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

Biography
Erika Harms is the Executive Director of the Tourism Sustainability Council (TSC) and Senior Advisor on Tourism at the United Nations Foundation. In this role, Ms. Harms manages and oversees the implementation of activities under the framework of the TSC, a cutting edge initiative that provides a clear set of standards, protocols, processes and measurements for how businesses can better the planet and practice sustainable tourism.

As Advisor on Tourism, Ms. Harms supports the UN Foundation’s tourism and conservation efforts. An experienced executive who has a background in business, government, and philanthropy, Ms. Harms has focused on creating platforms to bring together the private and public sector in support of the United Nations’ conservation priorities, and has spearheaded initiatives such as the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism and the Partnership for Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. Each of these initiatives works with travel industry leaders including Fairmont, Mandarin Oriental, Grupo Plan, NatureAir, and Sabre/Travelocity. She joined the UN Foundation in 2001, previously serving as the Executive Director for the Sustainable Development Program.

Before joining the UN Foundation, Ms. Harms came to the United States as Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General of the Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, D.C. Prior to her diplomatic career, she worked for Monsanto Corporation as marketing manager for Central America and the Caribbean.

From 1989 to 1995, she developed her passion for and knowledge of environmental issues while serving as a consultant in environmental law and policies for the government of Costa Rica, the World Bank, and local and international NGOs.

Ms. Harms is a member of the WHA Governing Body, the Board of UNWTO, the Board of the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN), the Board for UNDP’s Equator Initiative, and the Board of Friends of Osa. She has served as a judge for the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, the National Geographic Geotourism Challenge, the Travel and Leisure Global Vision Awards, and Smithsonian Travel. In 2008, Conde Nast Traveler recognized Ms. Harms as a "Trail Blazer" in Sustainable Tourism.

A 1991 graduate of the University of Costa Rica’s Law School, Ms. Harms holds a degree of Attorney at Law and Notary Public. In 1995, she obtained her master's degree in Business Administration and Natural Resource Management from INCAE, Central American Institute of Business Administration, in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Born in Costa Rica, Ms. Harms' native languages are Spanish and German.

Universal Sustainable Tourism Principles

Biography
Natarajan Ishwaran has 30 years of experience in teaching, research, wildlife/protected areas planning and management, multi-lateral environmental and biodiversity treaties, and co-ordination and management of international co-operation in environment and development. He published more than 25 publications in refereed journals is co-author of 2 edited volumes on ecology, biodiversity conservation and protected area management themes.

Natarajan has been working in UNESCO since 1986, on programs and activities linked to ecological sciences and biodiversity conservation in co-operation with intergovernmental forums, national and international NGOs, funds and foundations, and private sector institutions. He has great work experience and achievements in negotiating significant technical and financial benefits, particularly for less developed countries, for biodiversity conservation, protected area management, ecological sciences research and capacity building.

Sri Lankan. BSc (Zoology) and MSc (Ecology) from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka; and Ph.D. (Wildlife Biology and Management) from Michigan State University, USA.

Tourism Development in Regional Sustainable Development: opportunities in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves
Tourism has been an ally of conservation. Through employment and income generation opportunities the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors’ contribute to economic development at the regional scale. Yet tourism and particularly eco-tourism development tend to primarily focus on protected areas as destinations. Significant biodiversity occur outside of protected areas in wild, rural and semi-urban landscapes. In this International Year of Biodiversity (2010) recognizing linkages between biodiversity and sustainability at the regional scale of planning could open-up new opportunities by which the travel, tourism and hospitality sector could contribute to sustainable development options. UNESCO biosphere reserve is an international designation that accommodates protected areas as well as land/seascapes outside of them. They provide experimental spaces for linking biodiversity, sustainability and tourism in hitherto untested ways. Their potential for strengthening partnerships between tourism, biodiversity and improved human wellbeing is analyzed with insights gained from biosphere reserves that are part of the 564 site network in 109 countries. Suggestions are made for potential new partnerships between tourism, research, education and development in UNESCO biosphere reserves.

Biography
Geoffrey Lipman is currently Director of greenearth.travel and Associate at Schuman Associates Brussels, leading the global Travel & Tourism practice: He is Advisor to the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO): Advisor to the World Economic Forum (Aviation & Tourism): Chair of the Advisory Board of the DeHaan Institute at Nottingham University UK: Adjunct Professor at Victoria University Australia and Senior Tourism Research Fellow at George Washington University US. He is a Board Member of STDI and Dragon Trails, as well as the Live The Deal campaign

From 2006 to 2010 Lipman was Assistant Secretary General and Spokesperson of UNWTO, the World Tourism Organization and prior to that acted as Advisor to the Secretary General. He was the first President of WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council) 1990 to 99: Chair of Green Globe 2000-07 and Executive Director IATA (International Air Transport Association) where he worked from 1966 - 85 as well as a founding partner in Global Aviation Associates, specialising in aviation government relations and competition.

Lipman has written and lectured around the world on tourism strategy, sustainability and airline liberalization, co-authored books on opening up European Aviation, established a Think Tank on Free Trade in the Air and led a major study on EU airline merger policy . He was a member of 2 European Union High Level Commissions - on Airline Liberalization and on Tourism Employment as well as the UK Roundtable on Sustainable Development, the President of Zambia’s Business Advisory Council and the Ethiopia Think Tank. He is a Fellow of the Tourism Society.

Over this period Lipman has played a leading role in many global tourism initiatives including IATA’s Liberalization reform, Development support and Consumer interface: WTTC’s Agenda 21 for Travel & Tourism, Green Globe and Tourism Economic Research: UNWTO’s ST-EP initiative, Liberalization with a Human Face trade strategy, Davos Process on Climate Change and Roadmap for Recovery/T20 Strategy.

Lipman has participated in many international, regional and national Travel & Tourism Economic Summits as speaker and moderator. He is recognized for irreverent, out of the box thinking on strategic and tactical policymaking, commitment to the Travel and Tourism Sector as an instrument of positive socio-economic development, as well as his passion for sustainable development and the green economy.

Travelism' - Jobs and the Green Economy - The Long March Started with Small Steps

Mr. Kauahi Ngapora
Chief Operating Officer - Kaikoura Whale Watch Ltd

10:00-10:30

Biography
A New Zealand Maori raised in the small coastal town of Kaikoura on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, currently the Chief Operating Officer for Whale Watch Kaikoura a 100% Maori owned and locally operated company that offers up close encounters with the Giant Sperm Whales all year round. Whale Watch Kaikoura was founded in 1987 by 4 local families to create employment for local Maori and create an economic base for Ngati Kuri, it has since developed into a key contributor to the development of not just a people and an industry but an entire community. Kauahi has been with the company for 18 years from the age of 15 working his way from a spew bucket emptier, guide, skipper, supervisor, manager and now the companies senior executive, Whale Watch Kaikoura was the supreme winner of the 2009 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards held in November of last year.

A Whale Watch Kaikoura Perspective on Responsible Tourism

Biography
In 1990, 23-year-old Bruce Poon Tip founded Gap Adventures with two credit cards and a desire to create an authentic, sustainable travel experience like no other. The budding entrepreneur organized small-group adventure tours to off-the-beaten-path destinations offering travellers an alternative to the resorts and cruises they were accustomed to. In doing this, Bruce changed the face of travel. Twenty years later, his belief in the core values that powered the company in those early days are as strong as ever.

Chief among them: Bruce’s passion for changing the lives of the more than 100,000 passengers who travel with Gap Adventures each year. Bruce nourished a belief that Gap Adventures should lead the travel industry with unparalleled customer service by developing benefits such as lifetime trip deposits, eliminating single-traveller supplements and providing 24/7 service. Bruce was also determined to build a business that would change the world by simply doing the right thing all the time, every time.

Determined to lead his industry in sustainable tourism and community development initiatives, Bruce founded the non-profit Planeterra Foundation in 2003. Gap Adventures was awarded the 2009 World Savers Award by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, as well as the 2009 Travel and Leisure Global Vision Leadership Award for voluntourism.

A top draw on the international speaking circuit, Bruce's numerous engagements have included talks on sustainability and tourism at the 2010 TED Whistler and TED Bangkok events, and an invitation from the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders' Forum to present at the inaugural United Nations World Tourism Organization Seminar on Ethics in Tourism.

Creating Happiness and Community through a Sustainable Business Model
Bruce will be looking to address how using a triple bottom line strategy - where People, Planet and Profit are all equally integral to the business model - creates not only a sustainable product, but also a highly motivated and engaged workforce. Bruce will be warning that businesses which focus on only one or two of these three key areas will find it increasingly difficult for their business to succeed in modern society.

Giving equal weight to each of People, Planet and Profit, Bruce will share the extraordinary successes that have come about for Gap Adventures by staying firm to this business model.

A focus on People as the greatest asset of the company has brought about a cultural revolution. With hundreds of employees scattered across the globe, Bruce's main concern was in ensuring that all staff, many of whom he will never meet personally, were equally engaged and motivated. Not only did Bruce need to contend with staff living in different countries, but also different timezones, languages and cultures. Bruce will share his insights into creating a positive culture for companies.

Bruce will also encourage businesses to operate in a way that gives back to local communities and the planet, through sustainable business practices. These can be as simple as staying in locally-owned and run accommodation as opposed to internationally-owned hotels, encouraging people to eat with the locals, and helping to preserve local cultures and improve the lives of local communities.

Mark’s knowledge of natural resource management policy, the tourism industry and fire management, along with the management and protection of Victoria’s coasts, ports and alpine resorts is highly regarded both nationally and internationally. Mark has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector and is an Australia Day Ambassador and A Thin Green Line Ambassador.

Mr. Jamie Sweeting
Vice President Environmental Stewardship &
Global Chief Environmental Officer
Royal Caribbean Cruises

Biography
Jamie Sweeting is Vice President of Environmental Stewardship and Global Chief Environmental Officer for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Sweeting is responsible for establishing the company’s long-term environmental strategy and working to ensure responsible corporate environmental performance. Sweeting’s expertise guides Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s work to conserve and protect the environment.

Sweeting has over 15 years of experience in tourism, conservation and business management. Most recently, he served as senior business advisor and senior director of the Travel and Leisure program for Conservation International’s Center for Environmental Leadership in Business.

Sweeting received a Master of Tourism Administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and a B.A. honors in Leisure and Business Management from Manchester University in England.

Environmental Stewardship: A Cruise Industry Perspective

He now lives in Cape Town from which he runs the Singita Game Reserves business which consists of 9 lodges on 4 properties in 3 countries – South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania – and employs over 1000 people.

Special Operating Conditions for High-end Eco-lodges in Protected Areas

Biography
Mr. Xu is currently the director of the Huangshan Scenic Area Administrative Committee (HSAC), Chairperson of the Board of the Huangshan Tourism Development Group, President of the Huangshan Tourism Development Co. LTD

Mr. Xu has been working at the HSAC for the past 25 years since graduation. He started as an office secretary, but his talents and insights in tourism management have enabled him to take up more important responsibilities. Fifteen years ago, he became the CEO of the Tourism Development Co. LTD. He was in the position for 5 years before he was promoted to the director of the Tourism Bureau of the Municipality and the vice secretary general of the Municipal Government. With a broader eye and well-informed mind, he was elected Chairperson of the Tourism Development Group in 2004, and he became the director of the HSAC in 2009.

Mr. Xu’s achievements in his management has benefited from his theoretical research and field experiences. He graduated as a BA in Chinese literature, but finished his MBA studies. Now he is also a senior economist. In 2005-2006, he studied in Canada as a visiting scholar.

Besides the leadership at HSAC, Mr. Xu also holds other responsibilities at the Municipality. He helps with the overall tourism development in the whole city and he is also the chairman of the Anhui Tourist Attractions Association.

Sustainable Tourism Development and Heritage Resources Conservation in Huangshan
The Huangshan Scenic Area Administrative Committee (HSAC), approved by the Anhui Provincial People’s Congress, is organized to carry out comprehensive management of the Huangshan Scenic Area. Its implementation is authorized by the Huangshan Municipal Government. Huangshan, located in the south of Anhui Province, measures 1,200 km2. The core area of the national park is 160.6 km2. Highly reputed as one of “the top ten scenic areas in China”, the only one featuring mountainous landscape, Huangshan is well-known for its “five unique scenes”, namely, the pine trees, rock formations, sea of clouds, hot springs, and the snow scenery. In December 1990, UNESCO listed Mount Huangshan as "World Cultural and Natural Heritage" and in February 2004, it was included in the World Geopark Network in recognition of its fantastic natural scenery, rich oriental cultures, and high scientific and aesthetic values.

By 2009, the Huangshan Tourism Development Group, under the management of HSAC, enjoys a fixed asset amounting to 3.8 billion yuan. More than 4,500 people are now working at 50 member enterprises. The Huangshan Tourism Development Co. LTD, a stock-market listed company in both HK and Shanghai, now owns a total asset of 1.89 billion yuan. Its member enterprises, totaling 39, cover travel agencies, cable car companies, e-commerce company, cultural tourism company, and hotels.

Following the general vision of “giving top priority to conservation and development, striving for managerial innovation and harmonious construction”, the HSAC has always incorporated sustainable development in its practice. Its relentless efforts were recognized by WTTC as one of the shortlists for “2010 Destination Stewardship Award”. In 1998, the 22nd UNECO Special Conference held in Kyoto Japan praised “Mount Huangshan is a well-managed world heritage scenic site. It’s an excellent management model of a complicated scenic site with flooding tourists in Asia.” In 2006, Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General commended, “we deeply admire the each piece of efforts taken by the Huangshan people to protect and preserve world heritage sites”. In 2008, Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-general of UNWTO exclaimed in an interview that “we have been looking for successful cases for sustainable tourism development. Huangshan is no doubt the best example.”

HSAC strives to promote the practice of sustainability both internationally and nationally. Currently, under the guidance of UNWTO and UNESCO, the HSAC has carried out experimental projects on the promotion of sustainable tourism development. Huangshan has set up “an observatory on sustainable tourism development at world heritage site”. HSAC is also working with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to secure the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in this area. The project with Tourism Sustainability Council (TSC) to develop sustainable tourism criteria suitable to the Chinese context is under discussion. At home, China Environment Association (CEA) and China Tourist Attractions Association (CTAA) have jointly set up “low-carbon tourism experiment zone” and “low-carbon tourism demonstration zone” in Huangshan in August, 2010.