Responsible Tourism Comes of Age

Just a quick posting, no audio this time since I'm still in the seminar room. This was an exciting if slightly unfocused seminar that's reignited all that makes me passionate about this wonderful world of wandering. Wandering with a consciouns! We heard from Costas Christ, who is the CEO of the Bar Harbor, Maine Chamber of Commerce and the president of Adventure Council. He acted as moderator and "macro-view" facilitator, helping us understand the idea of "responsible tourism". Next we heard from Tensie Whelan, the president of Rainforest Alliance. I'd overlooked her when I chose the seminar, but was really impressed with her and with the Rainforest Alliance. This sounds like an amazing NGO, actively shaping the ecotourism industry one project a time. Very exciting. I'll be following up on their work as soon as possible. And the last presenter, Alexander Souri, founder of Relief Riders International, wrapped things up with a slide show of the first couple of relief rides in Rajasthan. He was surprisingly reserved, almost to the point of shyness, and yet his work speaks for itself. Spellbinding, to be sure. More later...