About the ESTC

Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference

The ESTC is a one-of-a-kind industry conference promoting sustainability in tourism. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the conference builds upon the successes of past national, regional and international conferences by TIES and our partners.

In 2005, TIES hosted the first nation-wide ecotourism conference in Bar Harbor, Maine, USA, which was followed by a growing number of participants each year, with an average of over 400 participants representing 40+ states and provinces in the US and Canada, and more than 25 countries around the world including Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Japan, India, Kenya, Malaysia, to name a few.

The past ESTC featured speakers include such thought-leaders and innovators as Fabien Cousteau (ocean explorer and activist), Rick Ridgeway (Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, VP of Environmental Initiatives for Patagonia, Inc.), and Wade Davis (National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence).

Attracting a number of leading operators, wholesalers and hoteliers, as well as the media, the ESTC offers unique opportunities to showcase sustainability stories to tourism industry influencers globally. Past major sponsors include: Discovery Adventures, G Adventures, Intrepid Travel and Lindblad Expeditions.

The ESTC Experience

Building Knowledge: The ESTC features dynamic presentations and engaging discussions that offer eye-opening insights into the latest on sustainable tourism business strategies, tools and solutions.

Networking: The ESTC is the meeting place for industry trend-setters, offering unparalleled networking opportunities, and is attended by leaders who are spearheading innovation and change in tourism.

Working Together: Bringing together hundreds of leaders and experts from across the industry, the ESTC promotes strategic partnerships promoting ideas, opportunities and solutions.

Inspiring Change: Inspiring change through innovative ideas and practical solutions, the ultimate goal of the ESTC is to reinforce the roles of tourism in building a sustainable future.

Why ESTC?

1) THE meeting place for tourism professionals that fosters networking opportunities.
2) Promote best practices in sustainability strategies and inspire innovative change.
3) Build partnerships and networks that advance policy benefiting businesses and communities.
4) Equip businesses with tools to effectively cope with social, environmental and economic challenges.
5) Promote strategies and solutions that reinforce the roles of tourism in building a sustainable future.