Global Sustainable Development Goals and Tourism – Student Symposium (Royal Roads)

Global Sustainable Development Goals and Tourism – Student Symposium

The Global Tourism Management Program at Royal Roads University is excited that the SDG’s will form the back-bone of a one-day student symposium on campus Monday Oct. 15.

Symposium topic: Creating a more sustainable industry environmentally, culturally and socially.

The symposium will explore
*   How tourism and hospitality can be more environmentally sustainable?
*   Sustainable tourism with a socio-cultural lens
*   How tourism impacts a developing nation?
*   How can tourism be a force for good in developing nations?

Morning keynote addresses 9:00 – 11:50 am / Afternoon Plenary sessions 1 – 4 pm

9 – 9:30 am
Catherine Evans will present an overview of the day, introduce current news on the Sustainable Development Goals, and provide opportunities for the tourism & hospitality industry charting a course forward. 

Keynotes
9:40 – 10:30 am

Dr. Eugene Thomlinson  Favourable interactions between tourists and locals have always been important, but as tourism grows and reaches into more communities, managing these exchanges is becoming more critical.  Overtourism in some regions is leading to irritation and even antagonism as residents feel that they are shouldering all of the costs without the benefits.  This discussion will explore whether a change in attitude or perspective, viewing tourists as “guests” and locals as “hosts”, can alter this arrangement and balance the relationship for the betterment of all.

10:50 – 11:50 am
Guy Dauncey of http://www.earthfuture.com/  discusses The Joyful Imperative

When the climate crisis, the ecological crisis, the inequality crisis and a whole lot more all stare you in the face, saying “Bite me!”, how can you respond? There’s only one rational response: locate the solutions, and get to work. Transform business. Transform tourism. Transform trade. Transform the economy. Guy Dauncey, an ecofuturist works to develop a positive vision of a sustainable future, and to translate that vision into action.

Students from the 4’th year Global Tourism Management Degree will lead and participate in the Plenary sessions in the afternoon.  The discussions will focus on creating a more sustainable industry.  They will be joined by April Ingham from the Pacific People’s Partnership and two Youth leaders representing the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC).

Workshop topics include:

– North-South Indigenous knowledge exchanges with the Pacific Peoples Partnership

– Global Youth making a difference (BCCIC)

– Exploring the pros and cons to developing nations using ‘pro-poor tourism

– Success stories and pitfalls from ten years of the UNWTO ST-EP initiative in Africa
– the role of ‘community-based enterprises’ in creating beneficial tourism experiences for guests and hosts

– How to encourage individual commitment to low-impact travel

– Beyond Human-centered sustainability: Exploring a ‘Council for all Beings’

Limited seating is available at the event.

For information, please contact

Catherine Evans

Associate Faculty
Royal Roads University
catherine.3evans@RoyalRoads.ca
tel: 1-800-690-7887