Center for Biodiversity and Conservation's spring symposium addresses sustainable tourism

Natural History, March, 2003

TIGER IN THE FOREST: SUSTAINABLE NATURE-BASED TOURISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Thursday and Friday, March 20 and 21 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Advance registration is recommended. Please visit research.amnh.org/biodiversily or call 212-769-5200.

Much of the world's biodiversity is located in developing tropical countries, areas that have become increasingly popular as tourist destinations. While the traveling public's growing interest in visiting these unique places can bring with it much-needed revenue and jobs, as well as increased incentive to conserve natural areas, many scientists are concerned that tourism-related activities will result in serious consequences for already threatened ecosystems.

Increased pollution; overuse of natural resources; the introduction of invasive species; disruption of migration, feeding, and breeding patterns; habitat transformation; and even harassment of animals are among the possible--and potentially irreversible--ramifications of nature-based tourism. There is also urgent concern about maintaining and protecting a region's cultural integrity, which can be enormously affected by the influx of visitors and increased industry.

Tourism is now the world's largest industry, and nature-based and cultural travel is widely considered its fastest growing segment. While such travel now accounts for an estimated $100-200 billion per year worldwide, there is still no universally agreed-upon definition of the word "ecotourism," nor are there standard industry or policy guidelines to minimize its impact on the environment or cultures.

On March 20 and 21,2003, the Museum's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC) will address this complex topic during its eighth annual symposium, Tiger in the Forest: Sustainable Nature-Based Tourism in Southeast Asia. A key aim of the conference is to develop recommended guidelines for decision makers, tour operators, conservation practitioners, and consumers.

The decision to focus the 2003 symposium on nature-based tourism and its impact on biodiversity conservation grew out of the CBC's long-standing work in Southeast Asia and discussions with colleagues there, specifically those in Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. In discussing the various factors that affect biodiversity in this region, which harbors a significant proportion of the world's rare and endemic plants and animals, tourism emerged as an important issue.

Tiger in the Forest will provide an important forum for information exchange and partnership-building among biologists, tourism-industry professionals, conservation practitioners, governmental decision makers, and community stakeholders. The conference sessions will focus on the needs of unique and fragile ecosystems; the economic and conservation potential of nature-based tourism; case studies of well designed, properly monitored, and sustainable tourism sites; and sharing of cautionary tales of lessons learned. In addition, the symposium will examine what responsible travelers can do--no matter what the destination--to minimize their impact on natural areas and biodiversity.

The symposium is organized by the CBC in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society and World Wildlife Fund.

In 1993, in response to increased threats to biodiversity, the Museum created the CBC to focus its scientific and educational resources on conservation policy and action.

Vietnam: Journeys of Body, Mind & Spirit

March 15, 2003-January 4, 2004

Gallery 77, first floor

Explore daily life in the early 21st century among Vietnam's more than 50 ethnic groups. The objects on display range from the traditional to the contemporary, and often merge the two, reflecting the dynamic process that has created modern Vietnamese culture.