The Canadian Community Economic Development Network’s International Committee held it’s eigth Webinar Session on Sustainable Tourism on Tuesday May 1, 2012.
BACKGROUND
Tourism has a major impact on economies, cultures and the environment. It often destroys cultures, communities and natural habitat but it can be a vehicle to build communities while increasing pride in local culture, improving the local economy and helping to protect local habitat. This webinar shares examples of sustainable tourism development here and abroad. We see how local communities are empowered by utilizing an Indigenous approach to tourism.
SPEAKERS
International perspective: Michael Campbell of University of Manitoba presentedon his prestigious Skål International award winning project that offers tourists a chance to spy mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in Uganda. Working with Makerere University and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, they’ve established a master’s program in wildlife tourism and recreation management. Uganda now trains its own people to manage an industry that accounts for 50% of the country’s GDP.
Canadian perspective: Clinton Belcher, President and CEO of CES, shared his work with First Nation communities in Canada, particularly Quebec. From over 15 years of experience, CES has developed the Pando Terra™ Model, which creates an organic approach to sustainable tourism development. Stories of this model being used in Eeyou Istchee – the traditional territory of the James Bay Cree in Quebec - were shared. This model empowers, encourages and supports the community and its members first, knowing that sustainable tourism development will follow.
There was a question and answer period after the two presentations.
WATCH THE WEBINAR
The webinar was recorded. To watch and listen to the session, click here.
A pdf of the powerpoint is also available to download
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
PDFs of related to the presentations available at
- Enhancing Rural Livelihoods in Uganda Through Sustainable Community Tourism
- CES Pando Terra Resource
The Canadian CED Network’s International Committee webinar series is made possible in partnership with Uniterra http://uniterra.ca
