Toronto promotes urban ecotourism worldwide

Toronto promotes urban ecotourism worldwide!

The world’s first urban ecotourism conference was held in Israel on December 2, 2001, in preparation for the International Year of Ecotourism in 2002 (as declared by UNEP and the World Tourism Organization). Jerusalem learned from Toronto’s Green Tourism Association how the organizations’ innovative approach may be just the answer to promote the OTHER side of Jerusalem. The Green Tourism Association is the first organization in the world to focus on the development and promotion of urban green tourism (ecotourism in the city). Rachel Dodds, Manager of Marketing and Business Development from the Green Tourism Association was invited to be a keynote speaker in Herzilya, Israel about urban ecotourism and the possibility of developing and promoting this sustainable tourism option. The Tourism Ministry, local government, and the private sector are exploring urban ecotourism as a form of sustainable tourism. Over 130 delegates from across Israel attended this tourism conference and looked at niche marketing through urban ecotourism (described as urban green tourism by Toronto’s Green Tourism Association) and ecotourism development.

Who would have thought you could go to a city such as Jerusalem and:
– See gazelles while waiting for the bus?
– Birdwatch in the middle of the city and contribute to an urban greening project at the same time?
– Appreciate the most spectacular view of the old city and hear that this view may be threatened by development?
– Visit Ein Karem, a magical village 8,000 years old that has incorporated ecotourism principals in their truest form to keep this village authentic?
– Visit the old forest and learn about environmental restoration projects that involved local school children?

The Sustainable Jerusalem Charter was formed in 1998, representing over 40 Non Governmental Organization’s and community groups. The group now see urban ecotourism as a way of marketing their initiatives and improving tourism. “Environmental issues transcend divisive forces and help forge unexpected alliances. In a society fraught with ethnic, religious and political conflicts, the participants found that different sectors of the community could be brought into closer harmony.” The purpose of the charter “provides a realistic framework for economic and physical growth while improving the quality of life for present and future generations” (The Sustainable Jerusalem Charter, SPNI, 1998).

This is the Green Tourism Association’s second invitation to present the unique concept of urban green tourism (ecotourism in the city) with regard to the upcoming International Year of Ecotourism. The first was at the World Tourism Organization/United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development and the Management of Ecotourism in the Americas, Brazil, August 2001.

The Association’s mission is to ‘develop and cultivate a green tourism industry within the Toronto region; an industry which is ecologically sound, fosters appreciation of and respect for diverse cultural and natural heritage and strengthens local economies and communities’.

For more information about Toronto’s Green Tourism Association or the International Year of Ecotourism, contact Rachel Dodds, Marketing and Business Development Manager at 416-338-5084. To purchase a copy of Toronto’s Green Tourism Guidebook visit www.greentourism.ca.
For more information about urban ecotourism initiatives in Jerusalem, please contact Naomi Tsur, Jerusalem Coordinator [email protected]