Final Blog Post

Overall course goal, international general education requirement: Each student will be able to identify current/contemporary issues impacting the international travel industry, or shows how historical approaches are relevant to contemporary issues (i.e., World Peace, Human Rights, Climate Change, Fair Trade, etc.)

Over this semester and researching Southeast Asia and all of it's aspects in regards to natural disasters, ecotourism and fair trade, I have came to the realization that this country is in dying need of our help. As I have stated in previous posts, Southeast Asia continually suffers from all sorts of natural disasters. These natural disasters take the lives and homes of so many. Some of these issues impacting Southeast Asia have already changed the lifestyle of the people and culture there. These same issues impact the tourism and travel industries to and from this country. As I have stated in my info graphic, there's plenty for us to do. One way we can all give is to volunteer or donate to the American Red Cross. Click here for more information. I ask of you to do your part, become giving citizens to our fellow men.

Overall course goal: Upper division communication/writing requirement: Each student will effectively utilize multiple forms of writing and communication (i.e., written reflections, Microsoft Powerpoint or Corel Presentation slide shows, outline for discussion, debate, evaluation, and online reflections).

With utilizing the numerous ways of writing and communicating, there's many ways we can provide this. One example from this semester that I appreciated was that we incorporated Pinterest.com into our learning experience. Pinterest is a valuable resource in spreading the word and communicating with many more people than you normally would. This was my favorite part of the semester and I know whenever I see educational "pins" on Pinterest, I'm more appreciative of them and have a desire to read them. Also having resources to evaluate your writing such as critiques and these blog postings, can aid in you becoming a better writer and reader.

I really enjoyed this class and learning all there was to learn about international tourism and also incorporating different forms of writing such as Pinterest, Blogger, Weebly and much more. Thank you Linda for this semester and all that you have taught us.

HELP! Southeast Asia

What Can You Do?

Have you ever thought about what would happen if you were involved with a natural disaster? What would you do? How would you feel? Now think about a natural disaster in Southeast Asia. As we have discussed in previous posts in regards to Southeast Asia, there's numerous factors that effect this country. Whether that be the economy, ecotourism, fair trade or even the culture.

As we all know natural disasters can widely include flooding, earthquakes, tornadoes, typhoons, tsunami's, volcanoes, cyclones and more. All of these can be deadly. And none of which we can prevent. According to AsianScientist, just in 2012 alone, natural disasters such as these caused the United States roughly $15 billion in damage to the Asian countries. Most of this damage was caused by floods.

Some ways we can all get involved to aid in decreasing the damage outcomes and decreasing the chances of those losing their lives to these natural disasters include:

• Early warning systems for famines
• Technology to transpire news
• Use our natural resources
• Build our homes and businesses to withstand such disasters as much as possible
• Have sufficient food and water storage
• Give

With natural disasters, there's not adequate ways we can do to prevent such disasters because we're dealing with nature. With nature, we never know what it beholds. Millions have been affected by natural disasters not only in Southeast Asia but around the world. But what we can do is act now. Selfless companies such as the Red Cross is a great way to volunteer and give back to those that suffer from natural disasters. If you would like to volunteer or donate, click HERE.

Now I ask you the question, what are you going to do to change your lifestyle as much as you can to prevent natural disasters?

http://www.asianscientist.com/features/disasters-asias-2012-figures-trends/
 

Cite: http://www.asianscientist.com/features/disasters-asias-2012-figures-trends/

In Danger or Not In Danger?

The Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra is located in Indonesia and consists of three National Parks, Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Sablat National Park, and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. This rainforst consists of 10,000 plant species, 200+ mammal species and 580+ bird species. And is also known among the largest tropical rainforest in Southeast Asia. Being listed on the UNESCO World Heritage in Danger list in 2011, there's facts to believe that this historic rainforest could ultimately be in danger.

The five principles within cultural heritage tourism programs include:

• Collaborate
• Find the fit between the community and tourism
• Make sites and programs come alive
• Focus on authenticity and quality
• Preserve and protect resources

In researching these five principles in relation to The Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, the lack of preserving and protecting resources and finding the fit between the community and tourism have not yet been properly managed. Some ways in protecting this site from further threats would be to reduce the chances of these animals being in danger whether that's from the environment or individuals visiting the rainforest. The rainforest has a significant animal diversity as mentioned above, also with a high level of endemism. It also suffers from agricultural encroachment. Because of these, it's important to preserve and protect these resources and animals. In relation to finding the fit between the community and tourism, the rainforest suffers from institutional and governance weaknesses and also road construction. With finding that fit between the community and tourism, it would be beneficial to limit the number of people per day visiting the rainforest and also their modes of transportation. It would also be beneficial if the local community and government could support in preserving this rainforest for years to come.

On the other hand, the Gunung Mulu National Park is not currently in danger. It's located in Malaysia and is the most studied tropical karst area in the world. The Gunung Mulu National Park consists of 17 vegetation zones with over 3,500 species of vascular plants, over 20,000 vertebrates and much more. The largest known cave chamber in the world, the Sarawak Chamber, is located within the Gunung Mulu National Park.

According to my research and the Unesco World Heritage List, The Gunung Mulu National Park meets all five principles within cultural heritage tourism list above. This includes, providing enough natural habitats above and below ground for all kinds of plants and animals. Also, providing protection for those threatened species and wildlife to roam where they wont be threatened. With having specific boundaries, this makes for the national park to have more of the natural landscape and preserved sites. Unlike the The Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, the Gunung Mulu National Park is fully supported by the Government, community and tourism support for protecting the conditions and the integrity of the land. With this, there is not road access to the park and also no construction presently within it. With having limited public visitation, the park can be preserved to it's utmost full extent. The Gunung Mulu National Park is known for it's increased biodiversity and for it's karst features and displays the ecological and biological processes beautifully. There's numerous opportunities to study this National Park.

 

In conclusion, it's vital that we do our part in protecting these dangered national parks and rainforests. They won't be around forever, so why not protect and preserve them for the future generations. So I ask you, what are you doing to preserve and protect any site in danger? I challenge you to go and research these two historic sites and maybe research different ones that interest you specifically.

Cite: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/
Click here for the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra
Click here for the The Gunung Mulu National Park

Responsible Tourism: AsiaTranspacific Journey's

Since 1987, AsiaTranspacific Journey's has set the standard for travel across Asia and the Pacific. Over the past 25 years, They have been named the most luxurious travel guides across these countries. They call it, "Journey beyond the ordinary." AsiaTranspacific Journey's connects you the traveler with the locals who know the destinations better than anyone else. AsiaTranspacific educates about the history and culture of each destination. I guess this is why they have nine reasons why we should travel with them, the next time we want to plan a trip to Asia. The nine reasons include: expertise, history, reputation, credibility, partners, support, security, peace of mind, and no regrets. The mindful travel that this provider provides is through diligent stewardship and philanthropy. According to the website, "We believe that travel can help to foster the preservation of ancient cultures, benefit local communities, and protect the environment. Long ago, our commitment to these goals was inspired by our deep connection to the regions in Asia to which we travel."

AsiaTranspacific provides a means for travel for everyone with various budgets and various destinations. Traveling to from the preferred destinations includes travel that accommodates everyone and their interests. Also with traveling, AsiaTranspacific strives for not only a better environment but a better outcome for everyone however that may be for modes of transportation and traveling. The travel specialists strive to plan the trip of your lifetime. AsiaTranspacific strives to give back to the countries and communities in which they travel. By this that includes, the economy, volunteerism and the AsiaTranspacific Foundation.

With this, I have to include in relation to natural disasters in Southeast Asia, that AsiaTranspacific Journey's and other partners administers to the non-profit foundation, AsiaTranspacific Foundation. This foundation was founded in 1998 and is funded financially by the travelers of the AsiaTranspacific Journey's themselves. This foundation is ultimately committed to providing clean water to children and families in Asia.

If you would like more information on this travel company or the non-profit foundation, you can research or contact them here at there website. http://www.asiatranspacific.com/travel-destinations/vietnam

AsiaTranspacific Journey's is an excellent illustration of the cornerstones for fair trade and responsible tourism in various capacities:

1. Fair Working Conditions: The travel to Asia  and the Pacific destinations are accessible for people to plan and book their trips online and provides small group travel or large group travel. With this, your payment is typically all inclusive from the beginning. Therefore, the traveler shouldn't need to be paying any additional costs later unless desired. The travel company also provides tour guides to assist in educating tourists of these countries.
2. Fair Prices: Depending on the amount of money the traveler would like to spend, there's different destinations for different budgets. The traveler should remember that this is traveling across the world.
3. Integration Into the Local Economy and Regional Development: The traveling across Asia and the Pacific varies depending on the desired destination. The time frame, the destination, interests, and style all depend on the desire of the traveler. This travel company makes traveling more convenient in the way of the trip is planned and expenses are all inclusive, as previously mentioned.
4. Fair Trade Partnerships Between All Actors in Tourism: Since the traveler provides the payment when booking the trip, everything such as travel, shuttling, hotels, meals, and even sometimes trip insurance is all inclusive. Anything extra such as souvenir's, the traveler would have to purchase on their own. Once arriving at the destination, the traveler's are greeted by the locals in which they are further knowledgeable than anyone else.
5. Sustainable Resource Use and Environmental Justice: The traveling between close locations uses private vehicles but more importantly, watercraft that less pollutes the environment. This travel company uses it's resources in connection to traveling to the safest parts of these countries and receiving the utmost best experiences for it's travelers with regards to resource and environmental usage.

I believe that this travel company emphasizes cornerstone number three, integration into the local economy and regional development. Meaning with this, the travel company provides an economical way of transport for travelers but also gives back which ultimately improves the economy of these countries. By providing a means of travel and being all inclusive, travelers are more ideal to spending their extra money in places in which actually could benefit the economy and the people there but also the traveler themselves.

In the end, I believe it's extremely important that we give back, and this travel company does that. If we all do our part and give just a little (or as much as you want or can), the world can change. The world itself  can change to a more giving, respected, responsible and fair trade planet. With this, humankind would be changed for the better. So think about the next time you travel or even something as simple as purchasing an item, wherever that may be. Does it fall under the fair trade commodities listed above? And do you care? Because you should.

The BEST Society- An Ecotourism Organization

An organization that is greatly impacting Southeast Asia's ecotourism is the Borneo Ecotourism Solutions & Technologies (BEST) Society. The BEST Society is a non profit organization that focuses on "environmental conservation programs and capacity building of local communities in rural areas of Sabah, north Borneo. BEST Society’s main objectives include promoting a sustainable tourism concept which creates employment and nurtures social entrepreneurship skills for the local community."

Some of the recent projects of BEST include:
Sakau Medical Camp-2012
Mangrove Action Day in Kimihang, Kudat-July 2012
Bengkoka Living Water Project-September 2012
Bonco Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO): A Community Project in Sabah, North of Borneo-October 2012

The BEST organization has one main vision, to improve human life. In relation to the Southeast Asia's natural disasters, BEST strives to promote, provide, improve and act to progress the society and cultivation around Southeast Asia. According to there website, BEST believes that "we all live on the same planet and that it's our responsibility to protect and keep it green."

This organization plays an active role in conserving the natural resources necessary for visitors of Southeast Asia. I believe it greatly promotes moral and ethical responsibilities and behaviors towards the natural and cultural environment. Some benefits from this organization could include conservation, economic, cultural, and social, to name a few. After reading this article and doing research on the BEST website, I believe it encourages more of doing our part and keeping the world greener.

For more information, you can check out the article on Educating Tomorrow's Community Leaders in the Rainforests of Kinabatangan here at http://www.ecotourism.org/news/best-society-educating-tomorrows-community-leaders-rainforests-kinabatangan.

Citation for BEST: http://www.bestsociety.org/online/index.php

Introduction to Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia consists of eleven countries, which is located north of Australia, east of India, south of China and west of New Guinea. With an estimated population of 442,500,000, the Muslim culture is primarily dominant over the country along with other cultures such as the Chinese. Out of all of the languages in the world, Southeast Asia has approximately a thousand languages spoken in the country alone. It’s also noteworthy to state that the region gained their independence following World War II. Southeast Asia is mostly covered with tropical forests that also consists of wet monsoon winds that aid in the country’s economy. Roughly more than ¾ of the Southeast Asia population is agriculture-based. Rice is their main crop with coconuts, spices and rubber, which are also important. Some say that twice as much fish is consumed in Southeast Asia compared to other forms of protein. Now in relation to the natural disasters in Southeast Asia, according to reports, "Fewer people died from natural disasters in Asia in 2012 than in previous years. Now comes the bad news: between January and October, natural disasters in Asia still claimed more lives here than anywhere else in the world – and experts predict the trend will continue as populations and industries expand in a region that already houses the world’s largest number of urban residents." Southeast Asia not only has an impact in the economy around the world but also a vast impact in agriculture, culture and populations.

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201204/s3481101.htm

Reference: http://www.asianscientistasias-2012-figures-trends/