SHAPING ECOTOURISM IN PARTNERSHIP: PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVES

4 -5 February 2020

Joensuu, North Karelia Biosphere Reserve (Finland)

FINAL PROGRAMME and PRESENTATIONS

Conference venue: Sokos Kimmel Hotel

4 February 2020

8.30 – 9.00 Registration (Lobby)

9.00 Welcome and Introduction (Sirkkala)

Janne Kärkkäinen, Centre for Economic Development, Transport & the Environment
Shaping ecotourism in practice: Practical perspectives. Martin Price, Centre for Mountain Studies, Perth College, University of the Highlands and Islands

9.30 Opening Keynote (Sirkkala)

Shaping Ecotourism in Partnership – Together in the right direction.

Wilf Fenten (Independent Environmental Advisor)

10.15– 13.00 Perspectives from SHAPE (Sirkkala)

Chair: Timo J. Hokkanen, Coordinator of North Karelia Biosphere Reserve

Integrating natural and cultural heritage: using local resources and development of thematic trails. Daisy Silvennoinen, North Karelia Biosphere Reserve
Working towards sustainable tourism with local people, visitors and tour operators. Ragnhildur Sigurðardóttir, Snaefellsnes Regional Park

11.00- 11.30 Coffee break

Destination management planning and stakeholder partnerships. Natasha Hutchison, Wester Ross Biosphere
Digital approaches to ecotourism. Marie McNulty, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere
Shapingecotourism.eu – an open access platform for ecotourism. Lasse Okkonen, Karelia University of Applied Sciences

Q&A Panel

12.30 Lunch

13.00 – 14.00 Lunch (Restaurant Fransmanni)

14.00 – 16.00 Parallel thematic workshops: Sustainable Ecotourism in Practice

W1 – Integrating natural and cultural heritage for sustainable ecotourism initiatives

W2 – Engaging visitors and tour operators with tourism sustainability issues

W3 – Planning and strategies for ecotourism (destination management planning, community engagement, etc.)

W4 – Digital approaches to ecotourism

16.00 – 16.30 Coffee / tea

19.00 – Dinner (Restaurant Riverside)

Welcome address by Liisa Timonen, Head of International Affairs, Karelia University of Applied Sciences

5 February 2020

9.00 – 11.00 Parallel thematic workshops: Managing Sustainable Ecotourism

W5 – Effective governance

W6 – Identifying and engaging with your consumer: effective use of digital tourism

11.00 – 11.30 Coffee Break

11.30 – 12.30 Feedback from workshops and wrap up of the conference (Sirkkala)

Presentation of the TUNNA Academy, Paolo Grigolli
Workshop convenors: Rosalind Bryce, Kari Natland, Jean-Philippe Messier, Lasse Okkonen, Ed Forrest, Steve Taylor
Final remarks: Martin Price

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch (Restaurant Fransmanni)

14.00 – 21.00 Visit to North Karelia Biosphere Reserve (*)

Nature and Culture tourism: Governance and Networking in Practice

Departure by bus from main lobby
Drive through the biosphere reserve (Timo J. Hokkanen)
Visit to Hermanni winery (Nature and culture heritage in product development)
Coffee break
Visit to Parppeinvaara bardic village (Nature and culture tourism experiences in the biosphere reserve)
Final dinner at restaurant Parppeinpirtti, Ilomantsi (Karelian dinner)

Welcoming address by Marjut Ahokas, Mayor of Ilomantsi

20.00 – 21.00 Return to Joensuu (Estimated time of arrival, 21.00h)

(*) Please note that the field trip is fully booked now. If you have any question about it, please ask the registration desk or send an email to diana.valero.perth@uhi.ac.uk