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Second Annual Venezuelan Expoecoturismo
2003
Eco/Adventure Tourism Conference, Exhibition
& Trade Show
Draws Enthusiasts From Around the World
Expoecoturismo 2003, Venezuela's premier ecotourism exposition
and conference attracted more than 5,000 national and international
visitors including government ministers, representatives from
the US Embassy and senior representatives of the World Tourism
Organization.
This year’s theme “Ecotourism and Adventure Travel:
World Innovations – New Experiences,” focused on world
ecotourism and adventure travel in developing and Latin American
countries. The event was held October 29-31, Nov 1st in Puerto
Ordaz, Venezuela at the world-class Intercontinental Hotel situated
on the edge of Cachamay Park, directly opposite of the incredible
Llovizna Falls. Showcasing many of Venezuela's beautiful states
– Amazonas, Bolívar, Mérida, Sucre, Falcon,
Vargas, Monagas, Margarita Island and the Los Roques archipelago
-- local Venezuelan tourism offices were represented as well as
tour operators, eco-related international businesses, NGO’s,
lodges and posadas. There were more than 45 informational and
trade show type booths on display.
The Expo was visited and supported by Mr. Antonio Rojas Suárez,
Governor of Bolívar State, while eco-experts such as Martha
Honey, Executive Director of The International Ecotourism Society
(TIES), Hector Ceballos-Lascurain (IUCN), Simon McArthur (Mawland
Development -Australia), Amos Bien (TIES Costa Rica), Ronald Sanabria
(Rain Forest Alliance), Richard Murphy (Ocean Futures Society)
and Lee Hart of the Adventure Travel Society (ATS) spoke at the
conference. The conference and expo showcased the biodiversity
found in the 43 national parks of Venezuela and featured a multitude
of cultural activities including music and colorful folkloric
dances.
Members of the press were treated to a number of eco-trips immediately
following the conference to Canaima and Los Roques - two of the
icons of Venezuela - as well as to the Orinoco Delta and the Amazonas.
A group of international tour operators and press retraced the
historic footsteps of Ruth Robertson’s “Forgotten
Expedition”. Ruth led the first successful expedition to
Angel Falls in May of 1949 and her team measured the height of
Angel Falls at an amazing 3,212 feet.
EcoAlianza has confirmed that the third Expoecoturismo will take
place again in the fall of 2004, with the location and date yet
to be determined. If you would like to attend this year's event,
please contact Paul Stanley (co-founder of Expoecoturismo and
EcoAlianza) - Stanley@angel-ecotours.com, to receive additional
information as it becomes available.
Web Sites to watch: www.expoecoturismo.com
/ www.eco-alianza.com
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