IUCN supports the Global Ecotourism Conference 2007 (Oslo, Norway, 14-16 May 2007

    The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has joined the Global Ecotourism Conference as one of its key supporters. The conference, to be held in Oslo, Norway, from 14-16 May 2007, will discuss ways in which ecotourism can contribute to making travel and tourism a viable sector of a global sustainable economy.

    Ecotourism is the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry, with the potential of making tourism a positive force for protecting cultural and natural heritage worldwi de . The tourism industry employs 200 million people, generates $3.6 trillion in economic activity and accounts for 1 in every 12 (8%) jobs worldwide.
Co-organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), Ecotourism Norway , and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Global Ecotourism Conference 2007 (GEC07) is the first major international conference on ecotourism since the United Nations' International Year of Ecotourism in 2002. Bringing together leading ecotourism professionals from around the world, the conference will assess a range of critical issues and trends within the field of ecotourism, and discuss practical strategies in addressing challenges facing the ecotourism community.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) and a number of leading environmental organizations, as well as key UN agencies, have joined as partners and supporters for the conference. The Union 's contributions are both organizational and programmatic.

    As an official Conference Partner, IUCN has helped organize the following workshops:
• Ecotourism and Protected Areas (Monday, May 14)
• Addressing Poverty and Sustainable Development through Ecotourism (Tuesday, May 15)
In addition to organizing the above workshops, IUCN will be part of the committee to draft and endorse the “Oslo Declaration on Ecotourism”, which will be produced as one of the outcomes of the conference. Built upon earlier de clarations such as the Quebec , Cairns and Bar Harbor Declarations, among others, the Oslo Statement will play a significant role in spelling out the commitment of the ecotourism community to continuously striving to improve its practices.

IUCN members from around the world are invited to participate in the conference and become part of the growing global movement for ecotourism.
More information:
Please visit the Global Ecotourism Conference 07 website , or contact: gec07@ecotourism.org