Over 1,100 delegates, from 133 different countries, wrapped up the first World Ecotourism Summit, last
week, with the Québec Declaration on Ecotourism, a new tool for the international
development of this type of tourism-already in high demand
around the world. The document will be officially tabled at the World Summit
on Sustainable Development, in August, in Johannesburg.
"I have never witnessed such active participation at a summit on
tourism," declared the Honourable Judd Buchanan, Chairman of the
Board of Directors of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC). "We were
expecting 500 to 600 delegates, and twice as many have shown up in
Québec. Over 1,100 participants, including 40 ministers from foreign
countries, as well as government and representatives from countries
where tourism is still an emerging industry, constitute a very
encouraging start for the future of ecotourism."
"I am convinced," emphasized the Deputy Secretary-General of the
World Tourism Organisation (WTO), Dr Dawid de Villiers, "that the
Québec Declaration on Ecotourism will become the point of reference
for all future discussion and debate. This Summit, held in Québec City,
and the Declaration are important steps, however a lot of work
remains to be done, notably in the fight against poverty-a cause
ecotourism can contribute to."
"The impressive number of stakeholders and ecotourism practitioners
that were able to participate in the Summit offers great hope for the
full implementation of the Quebec Declaration", stated Mr. Oliver
Hillel, Tourism Program Coordinator for the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP). "Through implementation of agreed guidelines,
principles and standards, the follow-up regional consultations
and concrete demonstration projects, the first-ever Ecotourism Summit has
signaled that ecotourism, in practice, can contribute to poverty
alleviation and environmental protection, the twin goals of the
upcoming Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development."
"The Québec Declaration signifies that from now on, ecotourism must
be considered a privileged tool, leading the way and paving the road
toward a tourism that is truly sustainable," declared the Minister
responsible for Youth, Tourism, Recreation and Sport and Minister
responsible for Wildlife and Parks, Mr. Richard Legendre. "It is an
expression of our belief that sustainable tourism can contribute to
the more global effort of protecting the sustainability of our
planet's resources. The debate and discussions of the past few days
have allowed us to determine that Québec is on the right path."
During the last three days, participants have worked hard to clarify
the concept of ecotourism. Consensus has been reached on many issues,
but many other questions must be explored further. The delegates have
defined what actions should be addressed in a collaborative effort by
all stakeholders involved in ecotourism, to ensure it can continue to
develop harmoniously, while respecting the environment, fragile
ecosystems and local populations. Major issues facing ecotourism have
been debated:
· Ecotourism Policy and Planning
· Regulation of Ecotourism
· Product Development, Marketing and Promotion of Ecotourism
· Monitoring Costs and Benefits of Ecotourism
Brought together for the first time for the World Ecotourism Summit,
all players are invited to implement the recommendations of the
Québec Declaration on Ecotourism, here in Québec, in the whole of
Canada, and in all countries participating in the Summit as well as in
all other countries where tourism constitutes a flourishing developing
industry.
World Ecotourism Summit organizers
Industry led, market driven and research based, the Canadian Tourism
Commission is a Crown corporation that works in partnership with the
tourism industry and provincial and territorial governments to market
Canada as a four-season destination.
Tourisme Québec's mission is to foster the growth of the tourism
industry in Québec. To do so, Tourisme Québec concentrates its
resources and efforts in three areas: directs and focuses government
and private actions related to tourism; develops and maintains the
tourism offering; as well as marketing Québec and its tourist
attractions.
The World Tourism Organization is an inter-governmental body
entrusted by the United Nations towards the promotion and development
of tourism. Through tourism, WTO aims to stimulate economic growth and
job creation, provide incentives for protecting the environment and
heritage of destinations, and promote peace and understanding among
all nations of the world.
UNEP provides leadership and encourages partnerships in caring for
the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and
peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of
future generations. Through its Tourism Programme, it promotes
sustainable tourism among government agencies and the industry;
develops tools for protected/sensitive area management; and supports
implementation of multilateral environmental agreements related to
tourism. |
