This presentation was presented at the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2011 (ESTC 2011), held in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, from September 19th-21st. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the

ESTC is a unique annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry.

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Ecotourism of Alonissos, Greece

What Changed After the Conference?

• Conservation groups organized themselves

• Fisherman were invited to participate as stakeholders

• Community became engaged• International recognition and

support became available

Lessons Learned

• Lack of clear authority of zone enforcement

• Lack of experienced biologists on the management team / board

• Lack of local government responsibility and local board representation hindering ecotourism planning & development

• Lack of clear economic benefits

Measurable Results• Younger generations of fishermen have accepted the co-

existence with the seal• Valuable data on the biology and the ecology of the species• Cleaning days established• MOm’s LIFE-Nature programs designated as “Good

Practices of Natural Environment Management” • 250,000+ children have gone through Environmental

Education Programs• 20 seals have been rescued, rehabilitated and released into

the Marine Park • In the last 15 years, no dead seals have been found within

the Marine Park borders• Last May, a seal came to the busy port and stayed for 1.5

months• Network of 2,100 “Volunteer Researchers” record monk seal

sightings• Volunteer programs offer opportunities to assist in the day-

to-day management of the Marine Park

Critical Success Factors

• Buy in from the community residents• Clear mission• Stakeholder involvement• Positive relationships among government entities,

conservation organizations, tourism businesses, fishermen, teachers and individuals all dedicated to protecting the seal’s habitat

• Tracking studies of environmental, social, and economic impact and results

• Slow and steady ecotourism development process• Conservation education directed at younger

generations

Thank You!