Key Note Speakers
We are excited to present a range of international speakers that will complement the conference programme.
Ross Dowling
Founder and board member, Ecotourism Australia
Chairperson, Forum Advocating Cultural and Eco Tourism, WA
Ross Dowling is Foundation Professor of Tourism and Head of the Tourism Program at Edith Cowan University, Western Australia. He is an executive board member of the Indian Ocean Tourism Organization (IOTO) and a founder and director of Ecotourism Australia.
Ross has worked in ecotourism for more than thirty years. He is a prolific author and researcher, and has been a tour guide in natural areas in many parts of the world including New Zealand, Australia, Asia, the Pacific and the Antarctic. He is also an international speaker and consultant on ecotourism in several countries, including Vietnam, China, United Arab Emirates and Oman.
For his contributions to the environment he has been awarded a New Zealand Conservation Foundation Citation and a Mobil Environmental Award.
Ecotourism – A global overview and Australia’s place
Ecotourism is booming around the world. The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) reports that ecotourism accounts for approximately 20 percent of total international travel and is now worth US$20 billion a year. Ross’ presentation reviews ecotourism at the macro level and describes what is occurring in a number of countries. He will argue that ecotourism is a central vehicle assisting communities, regions and countries towards the regeneration of natural and cultural environments through tourism. He examines some of the current issues facing ecotourism and presents its major advances over the past few years.
Ross also discusses the ecotourism industry in Australia, and the role of Ecotourism Australia's ECO accreditation scheme in the development of Australia's Green Travel brand. He will finish by encouraging Ecotourism NZ to take the next steps towards becoming an industry recognised leader in the future development of a greener New Zealand.
Opening presentation - A global overview and Australia's place
Standards and benchmarking presentation
Cam McLeay
Adrift Adventure Co. and Wildwaters Reserve - Uganda
Cam McLeay is a New Zealander who led the first-ever descent of the Victoria Nile in Uganda in 1996 and is one of the most experienced guides in the industry. For over a quarter of a century, Cam has led expeditions down some of the wildest rivers on the planet.
He and his family currently live in Uganda running their company Adrift Adventure Co. and driving the Wildwaters Reserve project; a private initiative to build an eco-tourism lodge, create a primate sanctuary and preserve mid-river islands in the Victoria Nile.
Ron Mader
Planeta.com Founder
Ron Mader is a professional journalist and the founder of Planeta.com, the web's first site dedicated to ecotourism. Ron's work seeks to catalyze communication about environmental conservation, travel and peacemaking.
Ron's work includes facilitating online and natural world seminars and workshops, the most popular of which is the Web Seminar that shows professionals how to make effective use of Planeta.com and improve their own web presence. Ron works with a number of indigenous groups, including Aboriginal Tourism Australia and the local guides and weavers of Teotitlán del Valle.
Conference speech notes
Web 2.0 workshop
