WHL Group Supports the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference

Ethan Gelber
14 July 2010

The Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) is North America’s largest and only conference focusing on sustainability in the tourism industry. Scheduled for 8-10 September 2010, it is fittingly being held in Portland, Oregon (hosted by Travel Portland and Travel Oregon), a leading U.S. city that has been consistently rated ‘the most sustainable city’ in the country.

A leading international event for learning, networking and partnership-building, the ESTC is a meeting place for innovative minds from across the industry, bringing together 500-plus business leaders, industry professionals and community stakeholders to discuss practical ideas and solutions that inspire positive changes in tourism. The ESTC 2010 will feature dynamic sessions, public forums and social functions.

The WHL Group is proud to join these industry leaders and sustainability pioneers as one of the conference’s supporting organisations.

Walking the Talk

For the first time in the event’s history, ESTC 2010 delegates will be given a chance to practice what they preach by participating in three half-day voluntourism field sessions, important recognition of the increasing importance of voluntourism as a niche of sustainable tourism. The roll-up-your-sleeves, hands-on opportunities include work at Portland-area landmarks like the Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center, one of Portland Parks and Recreation’s community gardens and the Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge.

“Come get your hands dirty!” said Laura Guimond, Communications and PR Manager, Sustainability, Travel Portland.

Zachary Rozga, North America and Caribbean Regional Director of the WHL Group, will speak about how Urban Adventures is a practical model how micro-franchising helping even the smallest tour operators to compete with big companies on both price and product

A Chorus of Voices

A rich selection of speakers has been invited to present analyses and case studies at session topics about triple-bottom-line approaches to sustainability in travel and tourism. The WHL Group will be represented by Zachary Rozga, North America and Caribbean Regional Director, who will speak about Effective Strategies for Finding Support for Sustainability Initiatives in Tourism, one of the Track 2 sessions about Practical Ideas on Triple Bottom Line: Managing Footprint and Implementing Solutions.

Rozga’s presentation will specifically look at a practical model of how micro-franchising allows even the smallest tour operators to compete with big companies on both price and product. The WHL Group is the leading global franchise network for small and local entrepreneurs in tourism. One of its companies, Urban Adventures, provides unique small-group (max 12 people) day tours operated by locally owned franchise tour companies. These tours feature things not found on typical (bus-bound) city tours – the kinds of things that only a local knows – and use either feet, bikes or public transport to get around.

Ethan Gelber

For more than 20 years, Ethan Gelber has devoted himself to a somewhat baffling diversity of projects, most associated with writing/editing, cross-cultural communication and education, travel, bicycling and the arts. At present, he manages media and communications for the WHL Group, oversees The Travel Word (this very blog) and helped initiate the Local Travel Movement.