Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation - SLEF - Ecotourism Sri Lanka

ECOTOURISM AUSTRALIA 2006 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND MEETING OF NATIONAL ECOTOURISM ASSOCIATIONS AROUND THE WORLD

From 30th October to 3rd November, 2006, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

Palitha Gurusinghe, President, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) has been invited by the ‘Ecotourism Australia’ to represent Sri Lanka ecotourism. SLEF has been recognized as the ‘National Ecotourism Organization in Sri Lanka’ to take part at the Ecotourism Australia – 2006 International Conference and the meeting of National Ecotourism Association world wide.
These innovative conferences were held in tropical North Queensland town of Townsville in Australia. The Theme of the conference was “Ecotourism: Building on Natural Advantages” The conference was held with great success, gathering around 300 delegates from 21 countries. The delegates broke into regional themed workshops for a day and a half in Townsville, Magnetic Island and Charters Towers. The delegates enjoyed the Conference which allowed them to learn and meet with experts and operators from all around the world

Ecotourism Australia 2006 conference provided the delegate from Australia and other countries an excellent opportunity to experience natural wilderness areas around Townsville whilst highlighting current national and international ecotourism issues. International Meeting for Ecotourism Associations was hosted by Ecotourism Australia and TIES, the meeting for national ecotourism associations has taken place in Townsville in conjunction with Ecotourism Australia International Conference-2006.
The meeting/workshop of National Ecotourism Associations across the world has been provided a forum for the discussion of current international issues facing today’s ecotourism industry. This workshop was conducted by Ecotourism Australia led by Clare McFarlane, Conference Convener and Chair, Tony Charter……, Stevan Phall…. . coordinated and facilitated by Simone Bennett, Team Leader,-Administration, Ecotourism Australia. At this session, key issues pertaining to national ecotourism associations, such as common Issues and interests, opportunities for collaboration, facilitating cooperation, collaboration and professional development were discussed in depth and compiled in to a document. The finding of this meeting will be submitted to the
Global Conference of Ecotourism Association which will be held in Oslo, Norway in May, 2007.

The President of SLEF has been invited to deliver a Key-note Speech on ‘The importance of Interpretation in Sri Lankan tourism-An international perspective’ at the Thematic Interpretation and Cultural Tourism Workshop Programme held in Charters Towers, the gold mining city of Australia. This workshop provided an excellent opportunity to share the different interpretations of Heritage and Cultural tourism across the world and particularly in Australia. The tours and excursions at Charters Towers were supported and professionally conducted by the Savannah Guides, North Queensland. The entire two day programme was excellently conducted and all the delegates were provided with knowledge and entertainment.
The main sponsor of the Ecotourism Australia-2006 conference was Municipality of Townsville. The theme of Townsville Municipality was ECOTOURISM:
"Fostering Partnerships and Opportunities in Regional Ecotourism”
Particularly, 15 community based delegates from National Ecotourism Societies around the world were able to attend the conference, thanks to Townsville City Council and local businesses, community groups and organizations, linking Townsville with communities from all around the world, including France, Mongolia, Italy, Estonia, Bulgaria, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil, Indonesia and Sri Lanka amongst other countries. These delegates were the highlight of the Conference and participated in the 1st Meeting of International Ecotourism Associations prior to the Conference. Townsville City Council secured sponsorship for 15 community-based delegates to attend the 2006 International Ecotourism Conference. These delegates were supported by local businesses, organizations and community groups and could otherwise not have afforded to attend the Conference. They were able to connect with Townsville’s community, as most of them were hosted by Townsville’s community members and families interested in sharing experiences and knowledge with them.
Some of the Community Based Delegates who represented National Ecotourism Associations across the world were provided with ‘Home Stay Accommodation’ and other facilities by the various organizations and personalities in Townsville as requested by the Townsville Municipality. These Programme for the delegates were ably handled by Anne Caillaud,

Palitha Gurusinghe, President, SLEF was provided with excellent accommodation, food and transport facilities by Mr. Vivek Kangesu an Engineer from Sri Lanka and his family based in Townsville, Australia. And his air travel was facilitated by Townsville Ross Vally Lions Club, C & R Consulting, Northern PR, Townsville City Council, Vevek and Sorojini family
The Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation has suggested that the following issues to be addressed at the next conference of Ecotourism Australia-2007 and requested EA to support the following programmes initiated by the SLEF.

Challenges and Opportunities in the development of Community Based Ecotourism Projects in Asia-Pacific Region.
How Ecotourism Australia could contribute to alleviate poverty in Asia Pacific Region through Ecotourism. The role Ecotourism Australia could play in Networking small and Medium scale Ecotourism Operators in Asia Pacific Region
The need of developing a quality Ecoguiding Training Programme for the South, South East and Pacific Regions (through respective national ecotourism societies)
Ecotoruism Australia could support in compiling a Data Base, Website, Hand Book on Community Based Ecotourism Activities in the Asia-Pacific Region (in Print and Electronic Media)
Establishing a fund to support academic programmes, research/education in Ecotoriusm under the guidance and supervision of Ecotourism Australia