Eco-tourism faces many challenges in China. One is a lack of standards and understanding of what eco-tourism should be. Another is a lack of direction on how to construct truly eco-friendly travel. To address these kinds of root problems, Conservation International China will launch a new project in November, 2007, establishing a community-based eco-tourism school in western China.
Tourism is always a double-edged sword for local communities. Many communities with pristine natural areas and rich biodiversity are now faced with the challenge of mass tourism. Increased tourism can mean development and higher standards of living, but it can also mean destruction of biodiversity, local culture, natural services etc. These communities realize they must develop in a sustainable way, but they often do not know how. Thus, the biggest challenge for these communities becomes their lack of knowledge regarding eco-tourism and how to develop eco-tourism programs.
To help these communities and encourage the development of responsible eco-tourism, CI China is establishing an Eco-tourism Academy that will provide training courses for 200 people each year from communities in China. Courses will be taught for groups of 30 people so that the program is useful and personal. Teachers will have a variety of backgrounds, including tourism experts, academics, people from industry and experienced farmers who have managed successful ecotourism projects for several years. This project will be jointly funded by Thornton Fund and Columbia University, and there will be a scholarship program for community members. CI China will also organize open workshops on community eco-tourism training throughout the year.
CI China’s vision is that this school will become a platform for people from the government, scientific researchers, tourist agencies, communities and NGOs to interact and work together to develop strong and responsible eco-tourism programs in China.
For more information on Conservation International’s work in China on eco-tourism, please contact:
Li Shengzhi
lishengzhi@conservation.org.cn
or
Yuan Shuangling
shyuan@conservation.org.cn |