An Event Dedicated to Sustainable Tourism Education
Tourism Naturally, a free virtual conference that highlights industry trends in nature-based tourism will be hosted by Colorado State University (CSU) on October 26-27, 2022. This year’s theme for the conference is “Protected Areas, Tourism, and a Changing World.”
CSU’s Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Center for Protected Area Management are the hosts of the 2022 conference. Industry researchers, practitioners, private sector partners, and communities will come together to discuss the impact that protected areas and nature has on humans, and thus the tourism industry.
“Nature holds measurable mental and physical health benefits for those who have access to these spaces. As such, a global struggle exists to not only restore damaged ecosystems but to stimulate greater access to natural areas, especially for marginalized communities,” said Dr. David Knight, conference Co-Chair and Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. “Tourism Naturally encourages crucial conversations to inspire industry action in addressing these issues.”
Nature-based tourism conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local populations. In many parts of the world, protected areas have closed visitation and tourism experiences due to a loss of funding, wildlife protection, the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. This has led to the collapse of local economies, job loss, and spikes in illegal extraction activities. Dramatic shifts in global climate change, deteriorating human health, economic uncertainty, and a population disconnected from nature has impacted the industry. Tourism Naturally aims to address these important topics and more.
An Inspiring Line Up of Speakers, Sessions, and Opportunity
Student engagement and early career professional engagement is a priority for this event. There will be several sessions dedicated to folks who are interested in entering the tourism industry like, a student-led industry trends discussion, a future industry trends panel, and speed networking opportunities. Virtual exhibition booths where organizations will showcase graduate degree programs or internships will be live during each of the main agenda breaks.
This year’s lineup of nature tourism industry leaders and speakers includes:
- Stanley Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Climate Initiative
- Kelly Bricker, Professor and Director, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Arizona State University
- Steve Hood, Senior Vice President, Smith Travel Research (STR)
- Andrew Grossman, Director, Destination Development, Colorado Tourism Office
- Toby Bloom, National Program Manager of Travel, Tourism and Interpretation, U.S. Forest Service
- David Buggs, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Andrew Rhodes, Vice-Chair, World Commission on Protected Areas, Union for the Conservation of Nature
- Andy Wirth, CEO & President, Ridgeline Executive Group, Inc.
- Ken Widmaier, Chief Operating Officer, Sage Hospitality
- Seve Ghose, Community Services Director, City of Fort Collins
- Samantha Albert, Deputy Director, Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
The conference is free and open to the public. Registration is required for attendance. To sign up, download the conference app, and learn more about Tourism Naturally, visit tourismnaturally.org