ESTC 2011 Presentation by Irene Lane, Greenloons, Alonissos
-
Upload
the-international-ecotourism-society-ties -
Category
Technology
-
view
570 -
download
0
description
Transcript of ESTC 2011 Presentation by Irene Lane, Greenloons, Alonissos
This presentation was presented at the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2011 (ESTC 2011), held in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, from September 19th-21st. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the
ESTC is a unique annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry.
Learn more about the ESTC: http://www.ecotourismconference.org ESTC on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ESTC_Tourism
ESTC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESTC.Tourism
The International Ecotourism Society | web www.ecotourism.org email [email protected] | tel +1 202 506 5033
Ecotourism of Alonissos, Greece
What Changed After the Conference?
• Conservation groups organized themselves
• Fisherman were invited to participate as stakeholders
• Community became engaged• International recognition and
support became available
Lessons Learned
• Lack of clear authority of zone enforcement
• Lack of experienced biologists on the management team / board
• Lack of local government responsibility and local board representation hindering ecotourism planning & development
• Lack of clear economic benefits
Measurable Results• Younger generations of fishermen have accepted the co-
existence with the seal• Valuable data on the biology and the ecology of the species• Cleaning days established• MOm’s LIFE-Nature programs designated as “Good
Practices of Natural Environment Management” • 250,000+ children have gone through Environmental
Education Programs• 20 seals have been rescued, rehabilitated and released into
the Marine Park • In the last 15 years, no dead seals have been found within
the Marine Park borders• Last May, a seal came to the busy port and stayed for 1.5
months• Network of 2,100 “Volunteer Researchers” record monk seal
sightings• Volunteer programs offer opportunities to assist in the day-
to-day management of the Marine Park
Critical Success Factors
• Buy in from the community residents• Clear mission• Stakeholder involvement• Positive relationships among government entities,
conservation organizations, tourism businesses, fishermen, teachers and individuals all dedicated to protecting the seal’s habitat
• Tracking studies of environmental, social, and economic impact and results
• Slow and steady ecotourism development process• Conservation education directed at younger
generations
Thank You!