The
keynote program of the Global Eco Conference is
presented over two days, Tuesday 8th November
and Thursday 10th November and
features an excellent compilation of national
and international speakers. The latest
additions to the keynote speaker program will be
updated here as they are confirmed.
Ms.
Sue Badyari - Chief Executive Officer,
World Expeditions
Tuesday
8 November 09:00-09:30
Biography
Sue
Badyari joined World Expeditions in 1986 and has
been the driving force behind the company’s
developments in the key areas of adventure travel
opportunities for a widening and changing client
base, responsible tourism practice and philanthropy.
World Expeditions is a specialist in quality adventure
and trekking trips to every continent. The company
has a strong focus on sustainable and responsible
practice underpinning its range of 800+ holidays.
World Expeditions also operates divisions UTracks,
a specialist in active European guided and self
guided cycling and walking holidays and World Youth
Adventures; specialising in school group and youth
travel.
Sue’s enthusiasm for adventure tourism has
seen her develop many new regions for the company
over 2 decades and to cater to the ever changing
desires and aspirations of adventurers worldwide.
She is recognized for her contributions to responsible
travel, forging fundraising initiatives for many
Australian charities, while in 2005 she developed
the companies' inaugural Community Project Travel
program which provides opportunities for altruistic
travellers to participate in community project work
that benefits underprivileged communities. In 2009
Sue developed the inaugural Great Himalaya Trek
project which is an initiative to inject tourism
dollars into regions of Nepal where people are seriously
poor and farming subsistent.
Sue is also chairperson for the World Expeditions
Foundation which provides funding for education
based projects in developing nations.
Seizing
the Potential: treading lightly on the land in Nepal
Since the 1950s, tourism has brought financial prosperity
to the people living in the iconic (or other adjective)
Everest region in eastern Nepal. But nowadays, severe
deforestation and pollution have proven that growth
in tourism can be a double edged sword. Significant
numbers of accommodations throughout the region
have been constructed to meet the demand and rely
heavily on wood for heating and cooking for tourists.
The continued use of firewood by lodges and teahouses
has contributed to the thinning of forests inside,
but more so outside the national park. There are
three key areas why the effects of deforestation
are devastating including the major threat to the
biodiversity of the regions flora and fauna, the
human threat with its origins associated with land
erosion which leads to landslides that have the
potential to destroy entire villages and finally,
deterioration in the aesthetic and cultural integrity
of the region.
Ms.
Sally Barnes - Deputy Chief Executive
- Department of Environment & Heritage and Head
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Monday
7 November 10:00-10:30
Biography
Sally has been a senior executive within the environment
portfolio for 15 years. In her current role she
is responsible for building and managing the NSW
national parks system – to protect our natural
and cultural heritage and to promote opportunities
for people to enjoy the great outdoors.
Sally’s
previous roles include:
Assistant Director General in the Environment Protection
Authority
Executive Director, Strategy, Communication and
Governance in the Department of Environment and
Conservation and
Director, Education and Community Programs in the
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Sally
will share insights into creating interesting, quality
and meaningful experiences in parks - some of which
are (will be) with commercial partners and some
with councils and other stakeholders.
Not
if but when: creating exciting partnerships for
Parks
For
many decades we have been debating about whether
we should encourage private sector involvement in
our national parks to provide experiences for visitors
and tourists.
The time has come to stop
debating and start work on how we make this happen.
It is only through partnerships
that we will create a diverse range of experiences
that excite, motivate and entice people to visit
our parks. These partnerships will help us to remain
relevant and build long term support for conservation.
Of-course, we need to ensure
that we continue to protect the values of these
special places as it is these values that our visitors
want to experience for themselves.
It
is time for us to ask ourselves why should we provide
thousands of kilometres of walking tracks but say
no to mountain bikes? Why is it alright to clear
parts of our forests for camping grounds but not
permit high quality eco-lodges? In posing these
challenging questions we also need to consider who
we are locking out because we don’t want to
change.
Mr.
Richard Beere - Managing Director,
Fastrak
Asian Solutions
Monday 7
November 16:00-16:30 - ASEAN and OCEANIA
Tourism Forum
Biography
Richard
Beere is a senior manager with a passion for building
bridges between peoples, cultures and markets, and
a proven track record of delivering above target
business results , revenue growth, successful market
strategies, and profitable management of large,
regional businesses.
He is a “facilitator” by nature and
is motivated by thinking outside the box; creating
and initiating successful new approaches to challenges;
building new frameworks and platforms for future
growth; working with, and leading, others on taskforces,
project teams, and committees; and by building and
leading strong teams.
This year he received the Outstanding Individual
Contribution to the Industry Award from the Australian
Tourism Export Council( ATEC) in recognition of
his efforts especially in regard to Asia.
Over 30 years’ experience- 29 in the tourism
industry, 20 in senior management positions, and
13 living in Asia provide Richard with a powerful
and unique set of skills, experience , and attributes
covering international business, multi market cultural
understanding, Government and commercial arenas,
strategy, management, marketing, and communications.
Asia is his speciality.
He is currently Managing Director of Fastrak Asian
Solutions, a company that helps organisations build
business with Asia through direct immersion, engagement
and discussion, and strategic advice with CEOs and
Senior Management teams.
China’s
Travel Trends: the emerging significance of cultural
tourism
Indigenous and ethnic minority cultural experiences
are becoming important to Chinese tourists. This
developing thirst is demonstrated in most domestic
travel planning patterns for Chinese and it’s
becoming gradually important for the millions now
traveling internationally. For more than a generation
now, China has been opening up to the world in the
exchange of people, goods and services. An example
of the increased exposure is the way in which cultural
tourism has developed in what are known as China’s
autonomous regions. Traveling to destinations to
experience the cultures of indigenous and ethnic
minorities is now recognised a special experience,
however enjoyment of the untamed environment is
not something that comes naturally to Chinese people.
This attitude among tourists is partially responsible
for the slow start in the growth of China's eco-tourism
sector and this is changing.
Mrs.
Amy Carter-James -
Founder
and CEO, Thin Cats Thinking
Thursday
10 November 15:30-16:00
Biography
Amy is a highly respected social entrepreneur, using
tourism to addressing social and environmental issues.
In
2002 Amy co-founded Guludo Beach Lodge (www.guludo.com),
a small boutique resort in northern Mozambique,
in an area of extreme rural poverty. Alongside Guludo,
she also founded Nema (www.nemafoundation.org),
a charity working with local communities to address
social and environmental problems. The model has
become a great success and continues to win international
awards, including the World Travel & Tourism
Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow, RTravel Responsible
Tourism, TODO! and Conde Nast World Savers Awards.
In
2009 she co-founded a CR hospitality consultancy,
Thin Cats Thinking (www.thincats.org), which assists
hotels and resorts around the world to work more
efficiently with local communities and maximise
their positive impact in a commercially viable way.
Amy
has received many personal honours and awards, from
Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006 to
the International Hotel Investment Forum's Young
Leader in 2011. Amy is also on the International
Advisory Board for Global Angels (www.globalangels.org).
Sustainable
Tourism Empowering Communities
The
potential within the tourism industry to empower
vulnerable communities is unparalleled. However,
while the industry is starting to make more positive
moves towards reducing emissions and “greening”,
the social movement is much further behind. Why?
The environmental ROIs are far easier to understand
and justify while community development is less
tangible and the right approaches can be perceived
as complex.
However, by following basic
principles, maximizing a tourism product’s
benefits to the local area needn’t be costly
and can prove to be a very sound investment. Combine
this with intelligent philanthropic partnerships
and the result can be an excellent tool for very
sustainable development.
With
the explosion of social media one can’t afford
to ignore the power of emotionally engaging people
in socially responsible tourism and the impact it
will have on the industry.
Ms.
Terri Castis -
Director
Commercial Development, iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Authority
Tuesday
8 November 11:30-12:00
Biography
Terri Castis has been the Director: Commercial Development
of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority since
its inception in 2000. iSimangaliso is a world-class
tourism destination in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
It was a finalist in the tourism for tomorrow awards
in 2011. iSimangaliso was the first site in South
Africa to achieve world heritage listing.
The goals of empowerment and transformation guide
the iSimangaliso Authority's conservation strategy;
local communities are the primary beneficiaries
of the equity partnerships, income generation and
job opportunities, training, capacity building and
mentoring elements of each tourism development in
the Park. Alien clearing - including the removal
of vast commercial forests - and the construction
and maintenance of Park infrastructure make an important
contribution to local livelihoods by providing opportunities
for community based contractors to supply these
services and create local jobs.
The Authority trains tour guides and hospitality
workers; supports the development of entrepreneurs
who run micro-businesses; co-ordinates a craft programme;
and funds an art programme that has produced a group
of commercially successful sculptors.
Partnerships
and Community Involvement
Parks in South Africa today face many challenges.
Their management is a balancing act between several
conflicting imperatives. The iSimangaliso Wetland
Park World Heritage Site offers a practical demonstration
of this. Located in rural KwaZulu Natal, it comprises
9% of South Africa's coastline and spans some 300
000ha. The iSimangaliso Authority has an obligation
to conserve the Park's ecological diversity and
cultural heritage, ensure appropriate public access,
become financially self-sustainable and simultaneously
deliver economic opportunities to some 500 000 people
living in and around the Park. Central to this is
the formation of community partnerships.
Mr.
Tony Charters -
Conference
Convenor
Monday
7 November 09:40-10:00
Biography
Tony
Charters originally trained as an environmental
scientist and went on to specialise in protected
area planning and management. He commenced his career
in nature-based recreation management and later
specialised managing multiple tenure protected areas
and World Heritage Area management.
Tony
made to the transition to tourism management and
in particular ecotourism to take up the position
of Director of Environmental Management for Kingfisher
Bay Resort and Village on Fraser Island in the 90’s.
Tony rejoined the public sector in 1997 to take
up the position of Director, Environmental Tourism,
and from 1999 to 2004, Executive Director of Policy,
Planning and Development with Tourism Queensland.
In
2004, Tony re-established his consultancy practice,
Tony Charters and Associates, and provides strategic
level planning and policy advice to protected area
managers and the tourism industry. Tony specialises
in agenda setting, and initiated the Sustainable
Economic Growth for Regional Australia SEGRA) national
conference, the Tourism Futures National Conference
and now convenes the Global Eco Asia Pacific Conference
for Ecotourism Australia.
Tony
serves on national and international tourism industry
bodies and is a finalist judge of the prestigious
Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.
Ms.
Kym Cheatham -
Chief
Executive, Ecotourism Australia
Monday
7 November 09:20-09:40
Biography
Kym
Cheatham joined Ecotourism Australia in August 2009
from Tourism Research Australia where she was responsible
for the Communications and Client Service team.
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
Mr.
Francisco Dousdebes -
Commercial Manager & Environmental Affairs,
Metropolitan Touring Ecuador
Tuesday
8 November 15:15-15:45
Biography
Francisco
Dousdebés is an Ecuadorian, born in Quito.
Early in life he developed a special interest in
natural sciences and a special feeling for the outdoors.
After finishing high school in Ecuador, he travelled
abroad as an exchange student and landed in the
Midwest of the United States. Afterwards, studied
Biology, and in 1986 a great opportunity landed
right in his hands; to become a Naturalist Guide
for the Galapagos National Park. In 1988 headed
back to the United States, and studied Broadcasting
Communications. There, he worked for the Science
Museum of Minnesota, and got his Scuba Diving certification.
Upon returning to Ecuador, Francisco went back to
work as a Naturalist-Dive Guide in Galapagos, where
he developed a special interest in birdwatching,
marine life, writing, and photography. Further education
includes Hospitality Management and was Cruise Director/Hotel
Manager of Yacht Isabela II, a luxury expedition
vessel in Galápagos, for about four years.
In
2000 he was given the responsibility of leading
the Galapagos Expedition Department of Ecuador’s
largest tour operator. Currently, Francisco is the
Commercial Manager for Australia, New Zealand and
Canada at Metropolitan Touring, but he also leads
the Environmental Affairs Department. He puts together
sustainable strategies that minimize the environmental
footprint of tour operations. He was a finalist
in the Heart of Green Awards 2009 because of his
environmental leadership. Francisco continues representing
Fundacion Galapagos-Ecuador in behalf of Metropolitan
Touring. Attending international trade shows, fairs,
and seminars has allowed him to understand the tourism
industry even further.
Sustainable
Tourism: a Galapagos Islands' perspective
Protected areas
like the Galapagos National Park and its Marine
Reserve face a needed problem: impact from tourism.
On one end, there’s an economic need from
tourism revenue, right in the middle there’s
the need of protecting natural resources, and on
the other end, the local population also demands
their needs. Where do we draw the balance at one
of last wild places on Planet Earth? The Galapagos
Islands has become a world model in Sustainable
Tourism, and tour operators are showing their Commitment
at leading the way to a brighter future.
Prof.
Ross Dowling - Foundation Professor
of Tourism, Edith Cowan University
Thursday
10 November 11:15-11:30
Biography
Professor
Ross Dowling OAM is Foundation Professor of Tourism,
School of Marketing, Tourism & Leisure, Faculty
of Business & Law, Edith Cowan University, Western
Australia. He is a co-founder and Deputy Chair of
Ecotourism Australia; Board Member of Australia’s
Coral Coast Tourism Marketing Board; Chair, Australia’s
Geoparks Network; and Advisor to Cruise Down Under.
In Western Australia he is Chair of the Forum Advocating
Cultural and Eco Tourism (FACET) as well as a Council
Member of the Royal Automobile Club and the Minister
of Tourism’s appointee to the Council of the
National Trust.
The
History of Ecotourism: looking back 20 years
Ms.
Wendy Hills - State Co-ordinator
NSW/VIC/TAS, Indigenous Business Australia, Policy
& Partnerships Branch
Indigenous Tourism Forum (Monday
7 November) - Chair (10:30-17:00)
Indigenous Tourism Snapshot (Tuesday
9 November) - Report back from Indigenous Tourism
Forum and Panellist (13:30-14:45)
Biography
Wendy has spent the last 23 years working
in the tourism industry in various marketing and
development roles, including destination, product
and industry development with a strong focus and
expertise in indigenous tourism and the importance
that this sector plays in identifying Australia's
cultural strengths and 'point of difference', in
a very competitive global marketplace.
She has worked for private enterprises companies,
two State Tourism Organisations and Tourism Australia
as the head of the Australian Experiences team,
responsible for the development and marketing of
Australia's 7 key experiences, including Aboriginal
Australia.
In November of 2008, Wendy joined Indigenous Business
Australia (IBA), the federal agency responsible
for assisting Indigenous Australians maximise opportunities
for wealth creation through home ownership, businesses
enterprise and/or equity investments. Her responsibility
in growing indigenous economic development requires
her to actively encourage and broker effective partnerships
with key stakeholders, both government and private
enterprise so that indigenous individuals, communities
and corporations are able to maximise innovative
and practical programs aimed at achieving long-term
commercial and sustainable outcomes.
Her portfolio includes the three states of NSW,
Victoria and Tasmania, as well as the tourism industry,
and the newly created Indigenous Tourism Champions
Program which is managed by Wendy on behalf of IBA,
along with Tourism Australia and the State Tourism
Organisations.
Ms.
Glenyce Johnson -
Managing Director, Peregrine and Gecko's
Adventures
Thursday
10 November 08:30-09:00
Biography
Glenyce
Johnson Macc, is Managing Director of Peregrine
and Gecko’s Adventures where she commenced
over eleven years ago as Financial Controller.
Glenyce
is dedicated to ensuring Peregrine Adventures is
committed to sustainable tourism, making a low impact
on the environment and local cultures, whilst helping
to generate future employment for local people.
Peregrine
Adventures offer adventure travel and specialise
in small group adventure tours to destinations across
the world including Antarctica and the Himalayas.
Glenyce
is responsible for the wholesale business in Melbourne
as well as retail offices in Melbourne and London,
managing a budget of $100 million dollars across
7 continents. Following September 11, 2001, and
a worldwide downturn in travel, Glenyce was instrumental
in keeping Peregrine alive in her previous role
of Finance Controller.
Responsible
Tourism: the Peregrine Vision
The
Peregrine Vision - Peregrine seeks to be; ‘the
recognised leader in responsible adventure holidays
worldwide’
‘Recognised
leader’ – because we want to be the
recognised benchmark and/or leader by consumers,
staff, suppliers, agents and industry bodies
‘Responsible’
– because we are socially aware, ethical,
sustainable, environmentally responsible, culturally
sensitive and financially rewarding for all stakeholders
‘Adventure
holidays’ – because we offer travel
experiences that are inspirational, mentally stimulating
and/or physically active.
‘Worldwide’
– because we recognise that achieving industry
leadership requires us to have a presence in each
destination (operationally) and each significant
marketplace (sales).
In
order to adopt our vision and stay true to our values,
the Peregrine culture is key. The education of responsible
travel to our staff both in the office and in the
field is of great importance. Training our local
leaders, and learning from our local leaders is
paramount and this extends in our approach to operating
in the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica.
Mr.
Cameron Kerr - Director and Chief
Executive, Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Tuesday
8 November 11:00-11:30
Biography
While originally working in Agriculture and Veterinary
R&D, Cameron has over 15 years experience in
Marketing and Communications roles across a range
of industries including Ag Vet, Consumer goods,
health care, fundraising and tourism. Cameron has
a Bachelor of Science with Honours and a Master
of Commerce in Marketing and Organisational Behaviour.
Prior
to his current role as Director and Chief Executive,
Cameron previously held various General Manager
positions at the Taronga group, responsible for
life sciences, marketing, media relations, environmental
education, fundraising and partner/stakeholder management.
He is on the Board of the Zoo Aquarium Association
(ZAA), the International Rhino Foundation and a
past President of the PKU Association of NSW.
Cameron
is also a guest lecturer for the University of NSW
and University of Technology in Marketing, Change
Management, Communications and Tourism.
Cameron is particularly passionate about inspiring
Australians and tourists to appreciate and protect
wildlife and their habitats.
What
do your visitors take home?
Do your visitors take
more than a memory card full of photos and a handful
of souvenirs on their homebound journey? In a growing
and competitive industry it is important that ecotourism
operators create lasting impressions with their
visitors and benefit from word of mouth and return
visitation. Within this, lies a unique opportunity
for us to empower attitude and behaviour change
in our guests. These connections can create tangible
and enduring relationships with the potential to
reach well beyond their stay.
Our
point of difference as an industry is environmental
respect. Connecting your visitors with ongoing ways
they can contribute to conservation has the potential
to expand your brand beyond your operation. Furthermore,
it is about seizing opportunities to extend our
conservation footprint and fulfil our role as environmental
leaders.
Very
few organisations have the opportunity to engage
their visitors to the extent and duration the way
eco-tours do. Hence, the lasting messages our guests
leave with are arguably the most significant contribution
we can make to conservation. Are they are also our
most powerful marketing tool?
Do
ecotourism operators really have a unique role to
play in the conservation agenda? What might this
role look like? And what benefits could this bring
to your operation?
This
paper explores some opportunities for ecotourism
providers to create lasting impacts and stand apart
as responsible and active players in the conservation
arena. It also explores the results of research
into visitor motivations and market demands and
proposes that the industry needs to invest further
effort in substantiating this position.
I
will pose that ecotourism providers have a very
unique and far reaching role to play in the conservation
agenda.
Mr.
Kyle Kimball - Chief Financial
Officer and Executive Vice President, New York City
Economic Development Corporation (NYCEC)
Thursday
10 November 09:00-09:30
Biography
Mr.
Kimball is the Chief Financial Officer and Executive
Vice President at the New York City Economic Development
Corporation (NYCEDC), a non-profit corporation and
the City’s primary vehicle for economic growth.
In this capacity, he leads the Finance and Administration
division and supports the President in driving major
City policy and economic development initiatives.
Prior
to this, he served as the Head of NYCEDC’s
Real Estate Transaction Services Group, overseeing
the negotiation, structuring and execution of land
acquisitions and dispositions for the City of New
York portfolio, providing advisory work for other
city agencies and managing the NYC Industrial Development
Agency and Capital Resource Corporation.
Prior
to joining NYCEDC, Mr. Kimball worked for JPMorgan
Chase and Goldman, Sachs & Co. for over ten
years, where he focused on financing and risk management
advisory for major corporations across several industries,
governments, and infrastructure projects.
Mr.
Kimball received an M.P.P. from Harvard University’s
John F. Kennedy School of Government and his A.B.
in Government from Harvard College. Originally from
Lawrence, Kansas, he now lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Successful
Partnership Strategies
The New York City Economic Development Corporation
(NYCEDC) utilizes public private partnerships (P3)
to achieve the economic development and infrastructure
investment policy goals of the Office of the Mayor
of the City of New York (NYC). NYCEDC serves as
the main development arm for NYC in facilitating
large-scale development projects to transform the
NYC’s economy utilizing the P3 model. NYCEDC
has used innovative P3 approaches to re-develop
areas such as The High Line, Coney Island, Brooklyn
Bridge Park, Governors Island, and the World Trade
Center site, as well as to attract private investment
and new development across the five boroughs. Mr.
Kimball will speak about these projects and how
the tools of land-use policy, strategy, and vision
have been used to transform NYC’s economy.
Mr. Kimball will also speak about the model NYCEDC
has used to work in partnership with NYC and the
Bloomberg Administration.
Ms.
Kim McKay - Director, Klick Communications
Thursday
10 November 09:30-10:00
Biography
With
over 15 years experience in the media and marketing
industry, Kim McKay has directed award-winning national
and international campaigns that have not only garnered
vast amounts of attention but have also correlated
into considerable increases in sales.
In April 2008, Kim launched Klick Communications,
a full service communications agency. Almost three
years later, Klick employs a team of six and has
thriving corporate, entertainment and consumer portfolios.
Klick specialises in driving communications through
Social Media channels to get excellent and sustainable
business results. Klick Communications prides itself
on finding the best ways to engage with audiences,
pioneering new communication channels to make brands
famous.
Kim’s dynamic, creative and innovative approach
to communications is what sets her apart in an industry
crowded with strategic thinkers but not necessarily
strategic doers.
A passionate technology advocate, Kim’s current
obsession is location based technology, the importance
of using social networks correctly and ensuring
that client messages and objectives are delivered
in a fresh, intelligent, compelling and relevant
way.
Social
Media and Marketing
Online Australians are some of the world’s
most prolific users of social media, and over 10
million Aussies are actively engaged with at least
one social network.
A strategic communications approach can harness
the power of this audience and be used to generate
great results for organisations and causes. Social
media is the only platform that allows an organisation
to start personal conversations with its audience
– en masse – and is known to encourage
and celebrate brand advocates.
Kim McKay will be speaking about the power of social
media, and how you can use the tools within social
media to build audiences, raise awareness, generate
interest and see fast, effective results.
Mr.
Aden Ridgeway - Chair, Tourism
Australia's Indigenous Tourism Industry Advisory
Panel
Tuesday
8 November 13:45-14:15
Biography
Aden
Ridgeway was born in Macksville in northern NSW
in 1962. He is a proud member of the Gumbayyngirr
people. His life has seen him rise from the treadmill
of poverty and of growing up on an Aboriginal reserve.
His early experiences have resulted in strong family
traditions and he is the very proud father of two
adult sons and a daughter.
He attended boarding school at St John's College,
Woodlawn, and left in 1980. He has been a park ranger,
court assessor, chief executive officer and federal
politician.
Aden is the first Indigenous person to be elected
as a Parliamentary Leader when he held the position
of Deputy Leader, Australian Democrats, during 2001-02.
He retired as a Senator for NSW, having served in
the Federal Parliament for six years.
He is currently Tourism Australia’s Indigenous
tourism spokesperson and Chair of Tourism Australia’s
Indigenous Tourism Industry Advisory Panel and Indigenous
Tourism Government Forum.
Mr.
Tim Silverwood - Co-founder and Vice-President,
Take 3 - A Clean Beach Initiative
Thursday
10 November 14:30-15:00
The
Great Garbage Patch and Tourism's Potential
Tim
Silverwood is a self confessed 'reluctant environmentalist'.
The passionate surfer and ocean lover has focussed
his efforts on bringing attention to the issue of
marine debris after years spent studying, playing
in the ocean and seeing the impact our discarded
waste has on the environment around the world. Having
recently returned from an expedition sailing from
Hawaii to Vancouver to research and document the
Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Tim is eager to discuss
the impact plastic pollution is having on the world's
oceans, what it may mean for global tourism and
how tourism is contributing to the problem.
In 2009 Tim co-founded the
organisation 'Take 3' that asks everyone who visits
a beach, waterway or...anywhere to simply take 3
pieces of plastic with them when they leave. The
devastating impact discarded plastic waste is having
on the ocean environment through death to sea creatures,
loss of aesthetic appeal, damage to shipping vessels
and concerns over contamination to humans all contribute
to the growing concerns of major institutions and
agencies such as the United Nations Environment
Program (UNEP).
Tim will be sharing images,
videos and anecdotes from the recent Pacific Garbage
Patch expedition in an entertaining and enlightening
presentation.
Ms.
Karin Simoncini - Managing Director
Australia & New Zealand, National Geographic
Channel
and Fox International Channels
Tuesday
8 November 09:30-10:00
Biography
Karin
Simoncini has worked with National Geographic Channel
for over a decade and is currently the Managing Director
for Australia and New Zealand. Responsible
for the growth and direction of National Geographic
Channel’s (NGC) and Fox International Channels’
(FIC) expanding portfolio in Australia and New Zealand,
Karin Simoncini was appointed Managing Director in
July 2010.
Based at NGCI headquarters
in Washington, DC since 2000, Karin has held key
roles with the organisation. As Vice President of
Regional Programming and Network Development, Simoncini
oversaw the strategic planning of NGCI content across
all international markets and editorially supervised
the global re-launch of Nat Geo Adventure. Prior
to this, Simoncini was Director Business Development,
spearheading the expansion of the Channel’s
Latin American operations.
Simoncini came to NGCI from
TV Quality, the documentary and educational cable
channel in her native Argentina. Appointed Head
of Programming for TV Quality in 1998, she negotiated
and acquired programs from local and international
distributors and supervised local co-production
agreements. She also coordinated the translation,
dubbing and conversion of foreign language programs
and prepared the channel’s on-air schedule.
Simoncini joined the channel’s parent company,
Programas Santa Clara, as a Programming Assistant
in 1994 and was promoted to Program Executive shortly
after.
Simoncini
earned a Master of Arts in Radio, Television and
Film from Northwestern University with a focus on
media management in June 2000. She graduated with
a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration
from Universidad Catolica Argentina in March 1996.
Inspiring
People to Care about the Planet Through the Media
From
the creation of engaging TV content to the increasing
use of social media, she will reveal how an iconic
brand that has been inspiring people for 120 years
is still at the forefront of exploration and adventure.
Showcasing
great examples of Australian eco programming from
National Geographic Channel, she’ll discuss
the role entertainment plays in our lives and ways
of turning your experiences into entertainment.
Mr.
Gary Smith - Managing Director,
Tourism Leisure Corporation
Thursday
10 November 11:45-12:00
Biography
In
1996, Gary formed Tourism Leisure Corporation with
fellow Arthur Andersen alumnus David Goodman. The
company operates several businesses within the tourism
and leisure industries, including Kingfisher Bay
Resort and Eurong Beach resorts on Fraser Island;
Fraser Explorer Tours; Fraser Island Barges; Palace
Adventures - a backpacker touring business based
in Hervey Bay; and Twin Waters Golf Course on Queensland’s
Sunshine Coast.
Gary
Smith has actively been involved, at director level,
in the Kingfisher Bay Resort project since its inception
in 1987. This included the full project development
phase and he has, since the resort’s opening
in July 1992, guided the establishment of the resort
as a leader in the field of ecotourism.
Current
Tourism Affiliations include:
Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) Board
Member. Gary was Chairman from 1996 to 2007 of this
Queensland Tourism Industry representative body.
Appointed to the Board of Flight Centre Limited
in November 2007.
Gary
is also a past Deputy Chair and Board Member of
Ecotourism Australia – Australia’s leading
industry group representing nature-based tourism
operators.
The
Future of EcoTourism 20 Years ahead
What
will the Eco Tourism market look like in 2020 in
the Asia Pacific Region ? How will Eco product compare
to what we see today? How will "Eco Tourism
" product differentiate itself from more mainstream
tourism product? Will tourists in 2020 really care?
What will be important to the "Eco Tourist"?
Where will the core consumer markets be coming from
- will we see some major shifts from what we see
today?
Will traditional product distribution channels remain
as we know them today Marketing of the "Eco
Tourism "brand surely must be a key factor
that the industry needs to address if we are to
drive "Eco Tourism " forward towards 2020.
If we look back over the past 20 years we have seen
substantial change in tourism markets and product
in the Asia Pacific region. There is no doubt that
rate of change will continue and throw up many challenges
but also opportunities.
Gary will give his views on where we are headed
and what issues we may face along the way. In so
doing he will draw on his experience in developing
20 years ago and operating since , the Multi award
winning Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village and Fraser
Explorer Tours.
Mr.
Albert Teo Chin Kion - Managing
Director - Borneo Eco Tours and Sukau Rainforest
Lodge
Monday 7 November
15:30-16:00 - ASEAN and OCEANIA Tourism
Forum
Biography
A
graduate in Economics (Honours) from the University
of London in 1977, Albert Teo has been in the tourism
industry for the last thirty four years. Over the
three decades, he has been a hotelier, tour operator,
lodge and backpacker owner and operator, photographer,
author, publisher, conference organizer, ecotourism
consultant, speaker and lecturer. Albert is presently
working on designing and building two new ecolodges
in Sabah.
A keen photographer, he has trekked over 1,000km
in Borneo and published ten books. His companies
Borneo Eco Tours, www.borneoecotours.com
and Sukau Rainforest Lodge, www.sukau.com
have won numerous international ecotourism awards.
Albert is presently focusing his energy on developing
social entrepreneurship through his non-profit foundation,
Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies or
BEST Society. www.bestsociety.org
Over the last ten years, Albert Teo has organized
four highly successful international ecotourism
conferences in Malaysia. Albert has served in various
positions in the tourism industry including Advisor
of The International Ecotourism Society, USA. Albert
was a member of the finalist selection committee
for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards of World Travel
and Tourism Council WTTC for six years from 2005-10.
In the last few years Albert travelled around the
Asia Pacific countries as a keynote speaker on ecotour
and ecolodge operations. In October 2006, Albert
was appointed Adjunct Lecturer by Edith Cowan University,
Australia for his contribution to the ecotourism
industry.
Ecotourism
in the Asia-Pacific Region
This
presentation attempts to showcase where Borneo Eco
Tours operates some of its ecotours and how they
benefit the stakeholders using the elements of ecotourism;
how it value adds its tours to create unique experience,
community involvement, conservation, using four
different models of ecotourism businesses in the
last twenty years; its challenges, financing and
unique approaches to alleviation of poverty through
capacity building and social entrepreneurship under
BEST Society, a community and environment profit
foundation which it uses as a catalyst for change;
how it set aside part of its income for community
and environmental projects; how it views its involvements
in the various communities in Borneo, lessons learned
and conclusions drawn; all to create sustainability
by preserving nature and generate employment, provide
human resource development, business entrepreneurship,
community lifestyle, minimize welfare and charity
projects to alleviate poverty, creating business
strategies and synergy and thus competitive advantage
and profit for Borneo Eco Tours.
Mr.
Amos Masaba Wekesa -
Managing Director, Budongo Eco Lodge, Primate
Lodge Kibale, Simba Safari Camp in Queen Elizabeth
2 National Park and Great Lakes Safari's
Thursday
10 November 14:00-14:30
Biography
Amos’s
story is one of inspiration, determination and a
clear manifestation that God is indeed the creator
and has a plan for every one of us. To get a clear
understanding of Amos, the best place to start Amos’s
story, is at the beginning.
Amos was born in 1974 in a little border town of
Wakhakha. This is in the Mbale region which is in
the East of Uganda. Mine was a poor family. “Compared
to rest of the village we were indeed really poor”.
It was indeed a challenging time, by the age of
5; I was actively involved in cross border smuggling
in order to help my family survive.
Unlike most children, I did not go to school until
the age of nine. This was because my Dear parents
simply could not afford to pay my school fees. At
this time I was adopted by the Salvation Army in
Tororo town, which too is in Eastern Uganda. While
with the Salvation Army, I was able to attain primary
and secondary education. On completing my A level’s
it dawned on me that I would not be able to continue
my education in spite of passing, due to lack of
school fees. I did not even fill in the forms to
apply to an Institution of Higher learning so as
to further my education. As you can see, with out
proper career guidance, I found myself in a situation
wholly dependent on chance.
As
a parent I am determined not to leave anything to
chance when it comes to my children’s education
and well being. I have a six year old son and to
his credit, he has been to all the National Parks
in Uganda. The rationale behind this is to give
him as much exposure as possible such that when
he does become of age, he will be able to make a
good, sound and informed decision.
After
my A levels I pursued a nine month diploma course
in airways, tours, and travel. To do this course
I had to travel to Kampala, which for me at the
time seemed like traveling to another world altogether.
Sadly as I was finishing my diploma, my beloved
guardian passed away. Just as things were beginning
to look up, calamity came onto my path.
I now came to a crossroad; it was either returning
to my village or staying in Kampala and looking
for employment. I opted to stay in Kampala and with
Gods grace got my first job as an office messenger
at Bellex Tours and Travels. I
later worked as Office Manager at Nile Safaris and
Tour Guide at Habari Tours.
I
also started one of my passions today and that is
reading. In addition to reading, I opened my first
bank account, with the resolve and determination
to make something out of myself. Until this day
I do have a bank account.
My savings target was $200 and on reaching that
target I was able to register the company and to
open the doors of Great Lakes Safari’s. By
Gods grace yet again we got our most defining break
when an adulatory article was published on the 23rd
November, 2002 in the Washington Times by Tom Carter.
Tom Carter had come to Uganda as part of a malaria
research team along with 5 colleagues. They were
recommended to a new start up Tour Company by the
names of Great Lakes Safari’s. Little did
I know at the time that Tom was in fact a writer.
My
passion lies in tourism. It has become abundantly
clear to me that through the various experiences,
challenges and blessings in my life, my destiny
lies in tourism. The tourism of Uganda where I hail
from has yet to be fully realized.
I believe in integrity and honesty, determination
and focus, and being an effective team player.
This is not your typical biography, but it is my
biography which is intended to give you an insight
into the person of Amos Masaba WEKESA from Wakhakha.
I am a God fearing person who enjoys tourism in
all its elements, there is no greater beauty than
that of appreciating the hand of Gods works, reading,
tennis, jogging and making friends.
Fostering
Eco Partnerships: protecting biodiversity host-spots
in Uganda through ecotourism
Budongo
Central Forest Reserve is Uganda’s largest
tropical rain forest. It has a high biodiversity
boasting of a plethora of flora, fauna, as well
as being home to the endangered chimpanzee and the
rare Nahan’s Francolin. It is also one of
the remaining mahogany forests in East Africa.
Illegal deforestation and unsustainable agricultural
practices by the impoverished communities presented
a real threat to the forest’s integrity. Budongo
was also running out of harvestable timber which
was the main source of revenue for the Protected
Area Authority.
The solution to this was the establishment of the
Budongo Ecotourism Development Project, which aimed
to use ecotourism as a sustainable alternative.
The project was designed, implemented, and managed
through a quadripartite partnership involving various
stakeholders.
Since inception, the ecotourism site has contributed
towards improvement in the local economy through
employment, community enterprise development, and
diversification, whilst operating a profitable and
sustainable business model.
Ms.
Mei Zhang -
Founder,
WildChina
Thursday
10 November 13:30-14:00
Biograpy
Zhang Mei is Founder of WildChina, a premium sustainable
travel company offering distinctive, ecologically
sensitive journeys to all corners of China. A native
of Yunnan province in southwest China, Mei earned
her MBA from Harvard Business School and worked
for McKinsey & Company until she found her true
passion in sustainable travel.
WildChina
was founded on the simple mission to assist travelers
to Experience China Differently. From the start,
WildChina involved local stakeholders to develop
grassroots eco-tourism programs and pioneered small
group travel to mitigate the carbon imprints left
on areas visited.
The
efforts undertaken have transformed WildChina into
an award-winning business: “Best Adventure
Travel Company on Earth” by National Geographic
Adventure (2009) as well as “a leader in its
field” by Harvard Business Review (2011).
Zhang Mei herself has been recognized as “A-List
Agent for China” by Travel & Leisure (2009,
2010) and “Top Travel Specialist” by
Condé Nasté Traveler (2010).
An
Operator Perspective
Like all sustainable travel providers throughout
the world, WildChina works diligently to deliver
highly meaningful experiences in a low impact way.
But, as many do, we constantly wonder, How can we
continue to be innovative in these efforts? Today,
we discuss the challenges particular to running
a sustainable business in China. By highlighting
WildChina's projects in Guizhou, the poorest and
one of the most remote provinces in southwestern
China, we hope to show how we have engaged all of
our stakeholders – our clients, staff and
partners – on our mission.
