Yes Mr. Shahin ....International seminar is very important to us all...
Objectives of the Seminar
The objectives of the seminar were to:
® come to a better understanding of the potential role of ecotourism in forest conservation and
community development;
® identify key emerging issues in ecotourism, especially those concerning sustainability and
local management benefits;
® identify case studies, course design, and other relevant information that could be included in
a possible ecotourism training course (or courses);
® identify potential resource persons for the design, development, and implementation of an
ecotourism course; and
® provide and document recommendations regarding appropriate and effective community--
based ecotourism.
And International seminar is giving us lots of information which is very useful to our life and job...LIKE
Social and institutional
® Local people's level of awareness of their needs
® Local people's perception of their environmental resources
® Local people's awareness of what their community has to offer potential visitors,
including environment, cultural, and other attractions
® Local culture, including livelihood systems, food production, history, etc
® Ability of communities to make and enforce their own decisions about ecotourism
development
® Customary rights, land rights
® Hierarchy in the community and institutional gaps which need to be remedied
® Human resources capabilities at the local level, including the level of education,
quality of schools, etc.
® Existing local support for ecotourism development from NGOs, private sector,
government agencies, and local people
® Political stability
Physical
® Attractiveness of natural features
® Accessibility
® Condition and attractiveness of local infrastructure (e.g., roads, water, electricity,
lodging, food supplies, toilets, etc.)
® Physical risks to visitors; health and safety risks; potential liability risks
Market and economic
® Local vested interests and potential competitors for resources
® Complementary attractions and tourist destinations in the vicinity
® Existing or potential competition in the community or in other localities nearby
® Role and power of tour operators to control the community
® Existing or potential market links
® Marketing opportunities and capabilities of community
® Access to credit
The full range of outside institutions from provincial to national level (e.g., NGOs, national
outreach groups, private sector firms, international organizations, government agencies and
educational institutions) should be drawn upon to support community-based ecotourism.
However, to maximize benefits to local people, these institutions must be supportive of
community decisions rather than dominant over them.
Plans should be developed and implemented for continuous research and training related to
more effective and environmentally friendly ways of conducting ecotourism businesses.
Strategies for implementing improved practices should be developed at regional and national
levels.
Thank you kazi shahin for your writes up...