The Asian Ecotourism Network has planned for these informative and exploratory sessions for the industry: AEN Ecotourism Conference (19 January) and visits (20-23 January) in Taiwan

An ecotourism conference is being held in Chiayi, Taiwan in January 2019 that will bring about lively discussions on managing ecotourism amidst increased tourist arrivals in the Asia Pacific.

The conference is being organised by the Asian Ecotourism Network, or AEN, in partnership with Alishan National Scenic Area, Taiwan Ecotourism Association, and the Council of Indigenous Peoples Taiwan.

Topics of interest include ecotourism, mountain tourism, working with the indigenous peoples, promoting business opportunities while managing social and environmental challenges, and more.

Keynote addresses will be delivered by Masaru Takayama, Chair of AEN, followed by the Director of Alishan National Scenic Area.

Speakers and panelists who are experts in their fields will hail from Japan (Kazuhiro Arai), New Zealand (Zane Smith), Indonesia (Ary Suhandi), Malaysia (Albert Teo, also Vice Chair of AEN), Thailand (Supaporn Prachumpai), Cambodia (Johnny Orn), and other Asian destinations.

The conference on Saturday 19 January 2019 brings together industry leaders, practitioners, policy makers, developers, civic groups and academics in the tourism industry. The former tourism minister to the Philippines, Mina Gabor, will be attending as a rapporteur. Ms Gabor heads up the International School of Sustainable Tourism, an AEN satellite office in the Philippines.

The conference is open to anyone interested in learning about improving ecotourism management and development in their own countries, exploring ecotourism opportunities or building on existing businesses.

A half-day tour is being oganised on Sunday 20 January 2019 to the Southern Branch of the National Palace Musuem. Alternatively participants can opt to go to the full day tour, which includes the museum followed by a visit to the Aougu Wetland.

A highlight as well is the technical visits planned for AEN members to Lijia, Alishan Forest Recreation and the Yushan National Park Tataka from 21 to 23 January 2019. This is to promote learning by observation, participation and sharing among the ecotourism participants.

Details can be found here.

Interested to join the ecotourism event? Do register for the AEN Ecotourism Conference 2019 in Taiwan.

How about becoming a member of AEN? Do visit the AEN website for more information. If you’d like to know more, do write in to asianecotourismnetwork AT gmail.com.

Related Articles on Gaia Discovery:

Gaia Discovery interview with Masaru Takayama on what AEN holds for the ecotourism industry

Asia Pacific ecotourism trends and sustainable tourism development

 Interview with Albert Teo on responsible tourism for Borneo biodiversity