In addition, two cross-cutting themes were agreed upon (to be kept in mind when dealing with the four themes):

The following five themes relate to real planning, management or policy situations on the local, national or international level addressing basically one group of stakeholders or a forum of stakeholders (e.g. protected area councils, national ecotourism committees). 

A. Ecotourism management in protected/sensitive natural areas including buffer zones B. Community involvement and community-based ecotourism (local/regional level) 

C. Ecotourism as a business activity (all levels) 

D. Ecotourism planning and policies at the national level 

E. Ecotourism policies at the international level For the purposes of this conference the themes and topics have been organised as in Table 1. 

Highlights of Keynot presentationsThe purpose of the keynote summaries is to highlight key issues that emerged from the presentations - complete copies of the presentations other than those marked * can be found on the SARCE website. See also Appendix - I for questions emerging from the presentations. 

Corbett-Binsar-Nainital Ecotourism Initiative,India

An innovative effort to plan and implement ecotourism on a landscape level. The region includes protected areas, reserve forests, townships, agricultural land and villages. A highly consultative planning process with a standardised methodology has been used to develop an ecotourism framework for the area. Stakeholders including villagers, tour operators, small-scale tourism entrepreneurs, government, trade associations and so on, can use this framework to guide their activities, investment options and strategic plans, and to identify partners for collaborative work in ecotourism.

Located near the capital of Colombo, the strength of this enterprise is the development and marketing of an experience rather than a destination (Sri Lanka has not been an easy destination to sell given the internal conflicts). The resort uses local architecture values in its design, and offers activities such as, walking and bird watching in nearby mangrove swamps for its visitors. The operators have made efforts to include local communities in their operations through employment, purchase of handicrafts and visits to their villages by tourists. However, as the operators noted community participation is challenging and a slow process. 

A commitment to heritage of Kerala and a quality experience for the visitor is a key feature of the Casino Group of Hotels from south India. Almost all the hotels feature local architectural styles helping to revive and maintain local skills, and practice conservation of energy and water. However, bureaucratic processes and excessive government interference have hampered innovation in this sector. Instead of being a facilitator of the development process, government entities compete unfairly with the private sector with monopolies over access to natural and cultural attractions. Clear and more facilitative role for the government must be defined. 

 A very innovative, yet potentially replicable ecotourism project that focuses on collaboration, community benefits and conservation in Periyar Tiger Reserve. In partnership of Vayana (Bark Collectors), the Kerala State Forest Department and Tourindia offer one to three day treks that also serve as monitoring and thus protection of the Tiger Reserve. This collaboration emerged from the India Ecodevelopment project and its success is due to two key factors: forest officials with a commitment to communities and the unity of the ex-poachers and their desire to change their lives. Each trek is led by members of the ex-Vayana (Cinnamon) bark collectors Ecodevelopment Committee (EDC), and supported by a Forest Guard and Tourindia staff. Tourindia will pay the EDC $150,000 over three years to run the operations, with almost half going into a welfare fund for the 20+ EDC members.

 A groundbreaking project from Nepal that has opened the doors for many to follow in it its footsteps. Key highlights of the project that seeks to link conservation and development of Nepal's most popular trekking destination are: new policy that introduced a protected area designation that supports, allows and values human habitation as a cultural landscape, plus its management by a non-government organization; a commitment to community participation in local economic development, especially tourism and in conservation through local committees. ACAP is in the process of developing plans that would further strengthen community management of the conservation area and ensure financial sustainability of the approach through an endowment fund (supported by entry fees).

Another innovative project from Nepal, this time from the more tropical terai region. Building upon Nepal's Community Forestry legislation, the Baghmara and Kumrose communities residing on the edge of Chitwan National Park have developed ecotourism activities in their community forests. The communities have used the entry fees paid by tourists to the park and other funding to establish simple accommodation for visitors and to aid efforts to restore the degraded forests adjacent to the park. As the forests have recovered, there have been increased sightings of wildlife in community forests adding to the visitor experience. However, further efforts need to be made to improve marketing of ecotourism activities to a wider client base, especially with the private sector.

Winner of a PATA award, Sirubari Village in Nepal is a private sector-community partnership that is promoting village-based tourism. The development of the partnership originated in a request from the village to the government for assistance in developing tourism. A consultant with the government responded to the request and established a company to promote and develop village-based tourism. A contract between Sirubari Village Tourism Development Committee and Nepal Village Resorts governs responsibilities and distribution of benefits amongst the two entities. Additionally, mechanisms have been developed by the Committee to distribute benefits to those who have homestays that are the major tourism products. A key challenge has been the differing perceptions on tourism attractions - a 400-year-old house was demolished by the owner much to the dismay of the tour operator who highlighted it as a major attraction. New clauses in the contract now cover how such issues are handled. 

Ensuring that ecotourism is understood and supported by international funding agencies is a key objective of TIES. As an international organisation, TIES supports a variety of activities that also address consumer education about tourism, and increase general understanding about ecotourism among the general public such as Guidelines for Operators, Codes, publications, etc.