Conference Information

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) invites you to join us in Madison, Wisconsin on September 26 – 28, 2007, for our second conference focused on ecotourism in North America. The three-day conference will bring together hundreds of ecotourism experts, government officials, and travel/hospitality industry practitioners involved in or working towards responsible tourism. Don’t miss it!

This conference succeeds the Ecotourism in the U.S. Conference held in Bar Harbor , Maine in 2005. This past conference united educators, professionals, operators and government officials in the U.S. and produced The Bar Harbor Declaration. This declaration solicited the government to adopt a series of policies in order to become a leader in the promotion of socially and environmentally responsible tourism. The upcoming conference in Madison will build from the discussions of the 2005 conference, tie in examples and lessons from the Canadian ecotourism movement, and provide the opportunity for collaboration among tourism professionals. Conference attendees will gain advanced knowledge, as well as practical tools, resources, and contacts, that they can use to lead their respective industries.

When executed effectively, ecotourism and sustainable travel are powerful ways to preserve and safeguard the national resources and cultural heritage upon which the future of tourism in the North American region depends. Join TIES in Madison to help advance this vital movement.

The North American Ecotourism Conference Goals

Strengthening Community, Business, and Conservation

  • Goal I; To expand the network of ecotourism practitioners and experts in North America
  • Goal II; To promote ecotourism dialogue and policy development at multiple levels of government
  • Goal III; To provide concrete tools to advance sustainable ecotourism and development and practices
  • Goal IV; To support Native American and First Nation peoples’ participation and leadership in the growth of North American ecotourism
  • Goal V; To encourage greater awareness and implementation of ecotourism principles in North America