FEALAC CONFERENCE ON ECOTOURISM IN BALI

Jul 12th, 2008 by Bali Now ! The Conference will be conducted in Inna Grand Bali
Beach Hotel, BALI, INDONESIA 17 – 18 July 2008.

Introduction

FEALAC Working Group Meeting on Economy and Society in Korea in October 2007
acknowledged the importance of initiating programs which support FEALAC efforts in
enhancing the cooperation between East Asian and Latin American countries, particularly
in the area of economy and society. In this respect, the meeting welcomed Indonesia’s
initiative to hold the 1st FEALAC Conference on Ecotourism.

As the interests to indulge in unique travel experience and the appreciation for nature-
based and environmental-friendly travel sites and resorts have increased, ECOTOURISM
has become a new trend in tourism industry. This trend is also stimulated by collective
awareness and appreciation for sustaining natural environment, traditional culture and
knowledge, as well as by motivation, not only to explore new experience, but also to
broaden horizon about people of different walks of life and their surrounding.

This ecotourism trend has encouraged a significant progressive increase of environment-

based tourism market. A survey of tourism market has shown that market for ecotourism
in Latin America and Europe has increased for about 30% in a year, and the increase for
ecotourism market in Asia and Pacific has reached more than 20% in a year. The
ecotourism market has also proven to easily adapt the changes of trends of tourism and
strongly survive and recover fast from different threats and challenges such as bombing
incidents, war, and even SARS epidemics. These facts have elevated the optimism of
countries that have abundant natural richness and environment to further explore ways to
market their environment-based tourism. The ecotourism in East Asia and Latin America
have contributed positively to local economies as a large proportion of the tourism
industry consists of small- to medium- sized businesses based in rural areas, who, without
realizing, have been practicing the key principles of ecotourism, such as locally based
low-impact tours.

All FEALAC member countries possess natural beauty and unique culture to be offered
ecotourism potentials, and the development of nature and culture tourism products has
been increasing in recent years in East Asia and Latin America. However, the potential of
ecotourism has not yet been fully exploited. It is then timely for FEALAC member
countries to start embracing the concept of ecotourism as a way of promoting and
strengthening the profile of East Asian and Latin American tourism, as well as a means to
achieve high standards and quality in tourism products. It is also timely for FEALAC to
start strengthening collective collaboration for the development of ecotourism in East
Asia and Latin America.
Theme : The THEME of the Conference: “Towards Sustainable Ecotourism
Development in East Asia and Latin America”
Objectives

• Raise awareness among all tourism stakeholders about the importance of

responsible and sustainable ecotourism development.
• Exchange experience and best practices in developing ecotourism.
• Identify appropriate areas for strengthening ecotourism cooperation among all
FEALAC member countries.
• Promote collective efforts in developing as well as marketing ecotourism in East
Asia and Latin America.
• Establish FEALAC Ecotourism Network

For further information on substantive matters and registration please contact:

Henky Manurung (Mr.)

Directorate of Tourism Industry
Department of Culture and Tourism
Jalan Merdeka Barat 17
4th Floor, Jakarta 10110
Tel: +62 21 3838261
Fax: +62 21 3867588
Mobile: 62 817 9876 724
E-mail: evan_garant@yahoo.com

Or Ali A. Wardhana (Mr.)

Directorate of Intra-Regional Cooperation for America and Europe
Department of Foreign Affairs
Jalan Pejambon 6, Jakarta 10110, Indonesia
Tel: +62 (21) – 3812778
Fax: +62 (21) – 3813142
E-mail: kik_fealac@deplu.go.id, aliwardhana@aim.com

For further information on Logistical Matters, including accommodation and airport pick-
up please contact:

M. Reza Abdullah (Mr.) / Arief Sofyan (Mr.)

PCO – Royalindo Convention Intl.
PIC Building, Ground Floor, Jl Teluk Betung No 43
Jakarta, Indonesia 10230
Tel: +62 (21) – 3103636 Fax: +62 (21) – 3157289
Tel: +62811143636 (Mr. Reza) +628164736581 (Mr. Arief)
e-mail: reza@royalindo.com, arief@royalindo.com

Related Site: Bali Village Ecotourism Network