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.

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

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