Is eco-tourism a good thing?

Top tourism academics and researchers from around the world attended the second international symposium on tourism and sustainability organised by the School of Service Management’s Centre for Tourism Policy Studies.

Over 80 delegates from 14 countries gathered to debate political, cultural and contentious issues related to the conference theme of Social and Cultural Identities.

Professor Linda Richter (Kansas State University) opened the symposium with a keynote speech in which she highlighted the need for international government to take into account host society culture when planning for tourism development.

In an emotional address Professor Tom Selwyn (London Metropolitan University) used powerful images to demonstrate how a dividing wall erected between ethnic communities in Bethlehem is affecting both the local communities and tourism.

International developments in tourism came under scrutiny in several breakout sessions and in a keynote paper on the global and economic migration from East to West presented by Professor Valene Smith (University of California Chico).

Robert Poirier (University of Northern Arizona), put forward his controversial view that the argument for ecotourism offering cultural landscape protection is fundamentally flawed. Ecotourism, he suggested, may do more harm than good due to the vast number of ‘eco-tourists’ attracted to areas such as national parks and was out of tune with the perceptions, interests and ways of life of indigenous peoples.

The final keynote paper was presented by Professor Julio Aramberri (Drexel University). Speaking on academic research in tourism he stimulated lively debate with his argument that most tourism research has lost its sociological imagination between celebrating community and celebrating identity. He called for more academic study on issues surrounding identity.

In the closing discussion session Professor Jafar Jafari (founding editor and editor-in-chief of the ‘Annals of Tourism Research’) noted the high quality of argument and thought generated by the symposium. Delegates attending the conference had an important role to play in future tourism development, policy and practice, he concluded.

The issues raised at this event will be explored further in the 2004 symposium for which the chosen theme is ‘Tourism, Politics and Democracy’.

• Farewell to Brent
Service Management has said goodbye to Dr Brent Richie who for two years has been on a highly successful secondment from the University of Canberra, Australia.

During his time at Brighton Brent worked in close collaboration with colleagues to set up the school’s research programme. This has included the organisation of two international conferences, a number of successful research bids, consultancy projects and contributions to several publications. His book, Managing Educational Tourism was also published during his secondment.

Before Brent returned to Australia in September he was presented with the award of Honorary Faculty Fellow in recognition of his contribution to the work of the school.

Brent will not, however, disappear completely from the Brighton scene. He has agreed to maintain his links with the school by continuing to offer modules via distance learning using studentcentral. He will also make a brief reappearance in the second semester for guest lectures, workshops and tutorial sessions.