Sponsors:                                                       Hosts:
    Black Water Brewing, Davis, WV                                 Thorn Run Inn,Grant County, WV
    Natural Seasons B&B, Weston, WV
    Office Products
    Wildernest Inn, Grant County, WV
    Candlewyck Inn, Keyser, WV
    The South Branch Inn, Moorefield, WV
 
 

Goal:  To help West Virginia business promote and profit from the emerging trend of ecotourism through discussions on and analysis of
1)  the nature of ecotourism,
2)  West Virginian tourism businesses that work to be environmentally and socially progressive,
3)  the latest marketing strategies, and
4)  next steps.

What is Ecotourism?
While the details vary in their nuances, most definitions of ecotourism boil down to a special form of tourism that meets three criteria:
1) it provides for conservation measures
2) it includes meaningful community participation and
3) it is profitable and can sustain itself
Imagine these goals as being three overlapping circles.  If a tourism project or service met all three criteria - hitting the bull's eye in effect, you'd have unmistakable ecotourism.  But what about the projects that are just a little off the mark? Are they genuine ecotourism projects? If they are not, does the lack of accreditation generate a move toward ecotourism or a dismissal of the entire process?

Even if they agree on the big picture, conservation groups and tour agencies have decidedly different interpretations of what constitutes ecotourism.  And if they agree on the basic criteria, they weigh the components differently.

For example, projects heralded by conservation groups may have good conservation strategies, but tend to lack marketing savvy and knowledge of the tourism industry.  Unfortunately all too often, the lack of such knowledge causes these projects to fail in the marketplace.  Conversely, some large tourism businesses offer nature tours that are highly profitable but that include little or no community partnership or conservation assistance.  Consequently, very few nature tourism projects can meet all three criteria.  This model illuminates not only what is ecotourism, but what could be ecotourism.  It allows individual or specific projects to weigh their strengths and weaknesses.  They can figure out in which areas they need assistance.  Successful ecotourism demands inter-sectoral alliances, comprehension and respect.

Evaluating Ecotourism
These three components of ecotourism are difficult to accomplish individually, let alone as a package.  Moreover, they are difficult to measure or quantify.  Assuming you wanted to know which are the "best ecotourism destinations," the question must follow: How is one to judge?

Membership in groups such as The Ecotourism Society (http://www.ecotourism.org) requires only the payment of a membership fee.  For example, the Ecotourism Society does not certify a member's compliance, nor does it endorse any member product or organization.  Instead, the society requires members sign a pledge stating that the member will be a "responsible traveler or travel-related professional who conserves natural environments and sustains the well-being of local people."
While this ethic is admirable and the self-regulatory system boasts the best of intentions, missing are any type of audits.  There is no system of double-checking information and no "teeth" in which members are judged or penalized for misconduct.

Three Issues
Participating in the wonderful conversations at the "Growing the Business of Ecotourism" conference, I think there are three main issues that West Virginia shares with Latin America in terms of developing ecotourism.

A.  The Clash between traditional and alternative tourism.  There is a perceived clash between "traditional tourism" and ecotourism.  For good reason.  Traditionally, the tourism industry has not empowered local communities or promoted small-scale effort.  In Latin America we see this in Mexico's Yucatan, Honduras' Bay Islands and in Panama.  But can things be different? In West Virginia we heard from the large ski resort that wants to find ways to improve its community relations.

B. Promotion.  In many Latin American countries officials intrigued by the promise of "ecotourism" have attempted to promote and/or regulate this niche market.  In each case, the first challenge has been uniting energies of the tourism and environmental departments.  There have been more failures than successes here as government departments prefer sole control of a project.
Mexico should be the case example of things done right.  It is one of the few Latin American examples in which the secretariats of tourism (SECTUR) and Environment (SEMARNAP) signed an agreement to collaborate on ecotourism development.  This took place in 1995.  However, while the offices are officially working together, there have been few results, perhaps because the liaison personnel in both offices have been in great flux.  The lack of continuity threatens successful coordination between the two institutions.

While government officials move in and out of office quickly -- at least ten different people have occupied positions promoting ecotourism and "alternative tourism" at SECTUR in the past administration - sexenio - alone) a group of private entrepreneurs set up their own group - Mexico's Association of Adventure Travel and Ecotourism (AMTAVE).  Created in 1994, it was the outgrowth of a coincidental meeting of nine associates who met at the annual Tianguis Turistico in 1993.  Unable to afford marketing their companies, they formed a group to share the promotion expenses.  AMTAVE now raises most of its funds via membership fees (about $250/year) and profits generated at events that it co-sponsors and promotes.

C. Quality control.   This is not to say that every travel operator who offers nature or ecotourism in Mexico is - or wants to be - a member of AMTAVE.  Many simply work from an environmental ethic and the knowledge that travelers are receptive to eco-friendly hotels and services.

"People talk about ecotourism, but the fact is that the tourism industry is always looking for a quick buck," said hotelier Doug Rhodes, owner of Hotel Paraiso del Oso in Cerocahui, Chihuahua.  "Hotels throughout the Copper Canyon still lack waste treatment facilities.  Some of the garbage is thrown into the canyon or disposed of near community wells." Rhodes said that tourists are willing to pay for such environmental guarantees and added that the technologies aren't that expensive.  "It's just a matter of will," he said.

Economists and various business thinkers are in pretty good agreement these days that resilient, prosperous economies are increasingly based on complex products and services, and the complex education/training that they both depend on and contribute to.  By "complex", they mean knowledge-intensive, such as microchips, as opposed to raw materials like lumber or agricultural products.

Of course, farming takes a lot of complex knowedge, but it isn't rare knowledge.  Turning corn into packaged corn flakes requires much more knowledge, and commands much higher prices per pound.  But even finished foodstuffs aren't complex enough these days.

The products that are really competitive and adaptable to shifting economics are the ones that integrate not just knowledge, but entire communities of products and services.  It's more than just economic diversity: it's integrated economic diversity that produces emergent value that wasn't present in any of the components. G. Storm Cunninham, Wildpath

There was also discussion around the issue of conservation.  The point offered was that "The deer don't care about litter" and that  in many places, and perhaps in West Virginia, rather than conservation we should be talking about restoration since WV is such an altered landscape.
 While I did not  make this point, I think that it is valid.  We often cite things like stream bank cleanup as a real environmental contribution when in fact litter is more often a question  of aesthetics.  Getting rid of litter contributes to the visitor's experience and is certainly a good service to perform.  However, real environmental conservation usually goes beyond this sort of service, one example being restoration. What separates ecotourism operators from the others ought to that we make real conntributions.  Peter Maille, Thorn Run Inn

Tony O'Leary:  Citing national statistics, Tony noted that nature/ecotourism travel is growing at an annual rate of 10-30 percent compared to 4 percent for tourism overall.  The ecotourist is 50/50 on male-female ratio and 82 percent are college graduates.  Ecotourists travels as a couple (60%) as a family (15%) and alone (13%).  In a recent study, the number one response consumers planned to do more of in the coming year, the top answer was "have more fun." The fourth answer is "take a special vacation." Tony noted how both of those weren’t top 10 answers just seven years ago.  Tony suggested having multiple skill levels and experiences [for visitors]at your disposal, relating how expected good, fun trips turned sour when the destination was too mundane or too excessive for tourists.  In the last 10 years, the number of weekend getaways has increased by 70%.  Several studies note that Americans, while traveling more, are doing so with 2-3-4 day vacations on not the traditional 7-day vacations of yesterday.

In terms of visitors and callers to Tourism toll-free line, Ohio leads both categories.  Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina are the next three leaders in visitors.  Echoing Ron Mader’s comments, Tony noted that the Internet is hardly a toy anymore and is quickly becoming the most valuable resource for trip-planning by tourists.

Tony concluded (and Betty reiterated), the value of partnering, not competing, with local/regional tourism members.

Betty Carver: Each Division of Tourism staff member focuses on a specific tourist market although there is a lot of cross-over between members on various projects.  Betty described these markets and who works with them.  The Community Relations department (Betty and Tony) works a great deal in promoting to the outdoor recreation market.  With no definition yet of ecotourism in West Virginia, Betty noted that Tourism doesn’t directly target the growing ecotourist market.  But, with partnering with industry members at Thorn Run Inn, Tourism would gladly make ecotourism one of its defined activities.

Community Relations also facilitates partnerships between industry members to help maximize resources for tourists.  Division of Tourism has a matching Advertising Grants Program that reimburses tourism advertising/promotional campaigns.  The program has two reimbursement programs; one for campaigns up to $2,500 and one for $10,000 and more.

West Virginia business people describe their operation including challenges and opportunities presented by the ecotourism concept.

3.1 Case Study: La Paix Herb Farm

About La Paix Herb Farm

La Paix (pronounced La Pay) means peace in French.  It is a small, owner-run herb farm, using organic principles, in operation for eighteen years.  Workshops and tours are geared to the aspirations of the home gardener and small entrepreneur.

The original house is a log cabin now over two hundred years old.  It is reputed to have been used as a safe house by the Underground Railroad.  The front part of the house, a Victorian Farm House with a double front porch, was built in the 1890s.  A visit to La Paix is a step back in time where the peaceful setting and nine display gardens inspire the visitor to bring some of the ambiance of nature into their own homes and lives.  A labyrinth, Feng Shui garden and enchanted wood walks complete the experience.

Workshops and tours include nine display gardens featuring culinary, medicinal, everlasting plants and historic log cabin.  The shop features "Honey Lips" lip balm, "Passionate Gardener's Hand Cream", books and other herbal products.

La Paix is located in the heart of West Virginia in Lewis County.  Advance registration is required.  Call (304) 269-7681 or write La Paix Herb Farm at IIC 64, Box 17, Alum Bridge, W.V.  26321 or email at lapaix@iolinc.net

Promoting Ecotourism

•  Submit calendar to national magazines, e.g.  Herb Companion, Country Living.
• Brochure (as distributed) linking B&B's in area, antique shops, other attractions and La Paix (did get coverage in Ohio and Pittsburgh via press releases.)
•  Almost in Eco-Tourism magazine - but magazine folded before the issue was out.
• Found that W.V.  Tourism wants mucho bucks to advertise La Paix.  for bus tours.
• Always emphasize environmentally sound farming and products.
• Member and sometimes officer in W.V.  Herb Association, W.V.  Environmental Council, Mountain State Organic Grower and Buyer's Association, Mountain State Dowsers.
• Speaker at Nat'l Conferences.

Challenges and Opportunities
Am working with Mountainmade.com - products and tours will be on Internet web site approximately April/May 1999.  Will be studying and implementing own web site in 2000.  A Sustainable Collaborator for Sustainable Festival 2000.  Working with John Williams to integrate my workshops, tours with his environmentally sound B&B and business, Natural Lifeways Corp.  Attending this conference today.

Thank you for including me.  Myra Bonhage-Hale, Steward of La Paix.

Highland Scene Tours, LLC offers specialty tours and guide services to visitors to the Canaan Valley, Tucker County and the Potomac Highlands vicinity. We offer mountain bike rentals, plans and maps of trails and roads, and a shuttle service for drop-off and pick-up for those planning long distance trips. This service can be arranged for biking, hiking, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. We currently offer six different specialty tours in this vicinity including photo opportunity tours, ghost walk of Davis, a star gazing trip, bird watching, historical/nature tours and shopping tours. We are a sub-contractor with Canaan Valley Resort Park for touring services and work with West Virginia Receptive Services, Greenbank, WV, as a guide service for their specialty tours. In conjunction with W.Va. Receptive Services we have six three-day photo/sightseeing/ historical tours for sale to tour operators throughout the United States. We are also business partners with Mountain Connections from Charleston, WV who advertise and sell our different tours and services in the central US region.

This business started 18 months ago and is currently open seven days a week, from 8:00 until 8:00, and evening as necessary with the different tours. As we began our business, we assumed it would be seasonal, with the summer months being our busiest. Since that beginning we have come to realized to actualize a profit all year we had to plan activities that can be done by a wide variety of customers and done in good or bad weather. This four-season approach has proven to be very successful as our company has tripled in overall profits for this second year.

Organization

Highland Scene Tours and Excursion Center is an all encompassing outdoor activity and touring center. The Center offers a large variety of activities which are possible in this area and the surrounding vicinity. Services will include:

Excursion tours are planned and coordinated through us and offer a step-on guide service. They require no or very low activity, geared toward senior and/or handicapped groups. We have designing the outdoor adventure activities as multi4evel so all types from the experienced to the non-experienced and all levels of fitness from the high to the very low can be accommodated. The activities that we offer are conducted on a daily, bi-weekly or tri-weekly bases with a well advertised schedule.

Objectives

The objectives of Highland Scene Tours and Excursion Center is to provide planned adventure trips and group touring services on a regular scheduled bases, helping customers understand options that we offer and what degree of difficult they can expect from the choices we have to offer.

Operations  Spring 2000

Highland Scene Tours and Excursion Center will be located in Thomas, W.Va.. From this location we will do the office work, book the main tours and use this as a 'starting place' for most of the activities. At this center we will have graphs of all the activities we offer and will have the charts here to explain the difficulty level of the different activities. We are also planning to begin a small retail sales shop that will feature T-shirts, outdoor clothing & gear, and mountain bicycles with parts and equipment for sale. We plan on opening the center in Thomas as soon as a suitable building can be assembled and a lease agreement is made with the city of Thomas. The city is very favorable to our locating there and have made the offer for us to lease land along the nationally known Blackwater Canyon Trail, a unique and beautiflil ten mile rails to trails project that is part of the Allegheny Highlands Trail. This location we have been offered by the city is also directly across from the planned city park, within 50 yards of the Thomas Lake and Dam and on the Sassaboo Trail that is within the city lirnits of Thomas. We feel this is an exceptionally ideal location for just the type center that we envision. From this location we will be able to rent bikes for the trails, rent snowshoes and cross-country skis in the winter, run horse drawn buggy rides, and rent water crafts for lake activities. The city of Thomas has indicated that we will have the concession from the city to offer these activities to the public.

P. Diane Baisden and James S. Jinks
P.O. Box 723, Davis, WV 26260
304 259-5889

The Natural Lifeways(tm) Corporation:
Developing Ecological Economies

The Natural Lifeways Mission
Natural Lifeways Corporation aims to lead human organizations and individuals to behaviors that support and enhance natural ways of life on the Earth

Goals of the Natural Lifeways Corporation
Natural Lifeways Corporation is formed to share information, energize, feed and fiber, clothe, shelter, transport, and otherwise support human ecologies in harmony with naturally occurring ecosystems.

Current Objectives of Natural Lifeways Corporation

Natural Lifeways Corporation is organized to:
1.  Discover ecological organizations and individuals
2.  Research natural ways for organizations and individuals to behave
3.  Develop symbiotic linkages between organizations and individuals
4.  Practice ecological resource management
5.  Promote ecological business activity; and to
6.  Educate individuals and organizations to operate ecologically.

We attempt to accomplish our objectives by developing educational and economic activities around facilities named Natural Lifeways Centers.  Activities take place in divisions of ecological functions.  Examples include Natural Seasons B&B in Weston, WV: our headquarters.

Foremost, we try to educate people about ecology and to provide positive experiences with the natural world through our Shared Education Division (SHARED).   Our naturalists are called ecological associates.  We design and lead ecology studies around forests, fields, streams, and lakes in regions we define through ecological relationships.   We also conduct indoor workshops and training seminars on alternative energy, electric cars, organic cultural practices, natural fiber crafts, and many other ecological topics.

You are invited to associate with the SHARED programs as you extend your own learning about the ecology of Earth.   We currently study in the Southern Headwaters (Ohio River System) ecological region of central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania.  We also occasionally work in the Middle Appalachian Highland region (Potomac and James River systems) of eastern West Virginia and western Virginia.

The Shared Education division also sells environmental information products that include books, videotapes, audio-tapes, CD's, and ecology study guides.  The products have been selected and designed to enhance ecology studies for people of all ages.
 In addition to our educational activities, Natural Lifeways Corporation operates other divisions that provide products and-or services to support essential aspects of life on Earth.  These include:

ECOFOODS and ECOFIBERS: where we produce, preserve, package, distribute, sell, and re-process food and fiber materials from ecological, organic, and sustainable cultural operations.  Examples include winter squash, herbal wine vinegar, honey, and cat-tail fiber mats.

ECOCLOTHES: where we produce, preserve, package, distribute, sell, and re-process clothing materials derived from Eco-Fiber cultural operations.  Examples include cotton jackets, wool pants and wool caps.

ECOSHELTER: where we build, repair, recycle, and share shelters for human beings and other living things using natural materials derived from sustainable cultural operations in the Eco-Fibers division.  Examples include Natural Seasons B&B in Weston, WV: our headquarters.

ECOCARE: where we develop, manufacture, and sell personal care products and services for human beings and other living organisms.  Examples include herbal lip balm and nature sound recreational CD's.

ECOENERGY: where we develop, manufacture, operate, distribute, and sell chemical, mechanical and electrical energy forms derived from sustainable resources at the Earth's surface.  Examples include deep cycle lead-acid batteries and passive solar glass house structures from the Ecoshelter division.

ECOMOVE: where we mobilize living beings and materials with renewable and sustainable methods.  This division also collaborates through the SHARED division to educate and train individuals to use alternative transportation methods and vehicles.  Examples include bicycles and electric cars.

Finally, in the ECOEXCHANGE Division, we close the loop of energy and material use inside and outside corporate operations.  The Ecoexchange division operates within all other divisions of the corporation to identify ways in which materials and energy can be appropriately moved from one area to another.   This division also operates exchange stations at Natural Lifeways Centers.  This enables ecological associates to move materials and excess energy from their own operations through the corporate networks to alternative users.  Examples include soil organism feeding programs with unused food materials.

 Please learn more about our activities with the information in our Nature News publication at our INTERNET site.   Contact us there or by any other means at:

Natural Lifeways Corporation
17 Center Ave
Weston WV 26452
Phone: 304-269-7902
e-mail: natseas@citynet.net or via the Internet at www. wvonline.com/naturallifeways
 

A Summary of the Fundamentals of Ecology as Applied to Tourism Behaviors
by Dr.  John Williams Natural Lifeways Corporation

 Students of ecology are well advised to begin their learning efforts with a basic text that helped to define the field in the current era:

Odum, E.P.  (1971) Fundamental of Ecology.  Philadelphia, PA: W.B.  Saunders CO.  ISBN 0-7216-6941-7.

In the table below, I present a summary of Odum's fundamentals of human ecology on the left.  On the right, I suggest behaviors that tourists might adopt to follow Odum's suggestions.  Ecotourist business operators might consider ways that they could help tourists and themselves to achieve an improved human ecology.

First, you will see Odum’s Components of an applied human ecology: (You can think about these).  Each item is followed by a suggested behavior of travelling people (Here is what you can do).

Issue1.  .  Population planning, consensus of optimum size, regulation through family planning, birth control and abortion
Response 1.  Travel in small groups and assemble only in small groupings.

Issue 2.  Regional (resource) land use planning
Response 2.  Plan travel activities to minimize degradation of the travel region.

Issue 3.  Taxation to curb excess regional growth
Response 3.   Pay additional taxes or service fees in travel areas to mitigate degradation impacts.

Issue 4.  Emphasis in education, law and medicine on environmental and consumer protection
Response 4.  Read, hear, view and share information about the travel area environment.

Issue 5.  Cost internalization of whole product cycles (real costs)
Response 5.  Take no more from a travel area than you replace

Issue 6.  Economy based on spaceship model of mostly closed systems with limited exchanges
Response 6.  Focus spending on products and services produced and sustained in the travel area.

Issue 7.  Stringent recycling and conservation of resources
Response 7.  Reduce your consumption of non-replaceable goods and services; re-use the items you encounter during travel; recycle materials within the travel region.

Issue 8.  Elimination of waste streams through by-product manufacture
Response 8.  Ask travel product and service providers what they do to reduce waste, re-use and recycle materials.

Issue 9.  Development of closer urban-rural connections
Response 9.  Establish interpersonal relationships with travel product and service providers and invite travel to your area.

Issue 10.  Whole systems approach to problem solution
Response 10.  Treat others as you would be treated.

About Thorn Run Inn
Thorn Run Inn is a B&B that targets people seeking a rewarding and relaxing get-a-way by offering quality lodging:

• in a 130-year-old farmhouse,
• on 20 very scenic acres,
• near to a number of worthy natural and cultural attractions,
   all in the context of an eco-friendly Inn.

 
 Thorn Run Inn and Ecotourism
Very briefly:

• We try to run an eco-friendly kitchen by using organic food products, minimizing packaging maximizing recyclability, using cleaning products made with natural chemicals, composting, and making use of a variety of gadgets like the reusable "eco-pump" a refillable oil sprayer that substitutes for aerosol non-stick sprays;
• We run our business with the use of a single small fuel-efficient car;
• We avoid the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on our lawns and gardens;
• We have decreased the size of the manicured portion of our lawn , and we mow the remainder primarily with a reel-type push mower, a sheep and three geese;
• We are constantly restoring our little 20 acre plot through trash pile clean-up and tree planting although the tree planting has thus far been more successful as a deer-feeding program;
• We buy locally when possible and we ask our guests to keep in mind that they need to be careful observers when participating in certain local events;
• We promote nature education and environmental awareness by turning an old gift-shop/chicken coop into the Thorn Run Inn Nature Center and "Ecotourism Institute" quotes used to recognize that the Institute is more ideas than facilities and staff;
• And perhaps most important, our marketing line is "Thorn Run Inn, An Eco-friendly B&B."   We did learn a lesson however…  We started with "Eco-friendly  Thorn Run Inn" but switched the order after getting an inquiry asking us where "Eco-Friendly" was.  (?!)

Our Opportunities Include:
Ecotourism is a relatively new topic.   This helps us stand out to our customers and generate interest in Thorn Run Inn among writers and the press.

We can do good things.  Our mission, "To provide guests with a relaxing and rewarding stay in a way that is sensitive to the environment and supports the local economy" motivates us to do good work.  When we hold special events we put this mission up front by donating a percentage of our revenue to conservation and sustainable development and asking our guests to do the same.  This helps our guests feel good about their stay and we can support organizations like The Nature Conservancy and Lightstone Foundation.

Our Challenges Include:
Getting lazy with respect to our eco-friendly practices.  There are sunny days when it is mighty difficult to walk past the automatic dryer to the outside clothes line to line dry the sheets, towels…

Developing a message that lets people know we are eco-friendly, yet doesn’t scare folks away.   For example, one guest translated our no chemical fertilizers or pesticides into lots of smelly manure.   This is made especially difficult by today’s marketers that force consumers to read between the lines to get at what the product really is—"Eco-friendly must mean smelly lawns, right?"

Finally, the extension of Interstate 66—Corridor H—will cross our road four miles away.   As ecotourism providers we are committed to local prosperity so we are reluctant to speak out against a road that has the potential to help the region.  However, our customers are against the project at least 9 to 1.  Moreover, we see very few indications that there will be an enlightened approach to the ensuing development.  For these last two reasons we think that it will likely 1) make it more difficult for us to give our guests the unique experience they want and 2) compromise the potential of what is currently a unique cultural and natural landscape.

Of the observations Betty Carver made after the seven presentations, one request stood out: what would greatly assist Tourism is to forward copies of any published articles about your business/destination to the Department of Tourism.  Details on sending in information can be had by phoning 1-800-CALLWVA and asking for Tony O’Leary.  Tourism’s Public Information office constantly receives media inquiries from newspapers and magazines about a wide range of topics.  Having a file of previously published articles helps us be informed on what’s available in the state so when the next request for ecotourism locales comes in, Tourism has good knowledge to work with.
 

Ecotourism offers an alternative to extractive industries.  This will become more evident in the coming decade.  Ecotourism provides a means towards economic diversification as well as sustainable development.  In the Amazon, ecotourism is heralded as a more healthy choice compared to oil drilling or forest clearing.  Coal extraction still ravages much of West Virginia's mountains.  If this continues, West Virginia will lose the scenic beauty that attracts the eco-minded tourists.

Communication needs to be improved.  At a recent forum of the Mexican Ecotourism Network -- http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/red.html -- one participant complained that we can't have communication until there's information.  Consequently, there is a great need for forums such as "Growing the Business of Ecotourism in West Virginia" as well as informal virtual networks.
One example is West Virginia's Mountain Forum which convened an online conference in 1998 and placed the archives online in a timely manner -- see http://www.mtnforum.org/mtnforum/archives/reportspubs/library/ cbmt_01.htm which archives the report Community-Based Mountain Tourism: Practices for Linking Conservation with Enterprise.  I am also pleased to take part in the creation of the West Virginia Ecotourism Network -- http://www.egroups.com/group/wv_ecotourism_net/ -- and look forward to seeing the discussion develop in the new millennium.

While parallels are insightful, it's also important to see what's different between ecotourism development in West Virginia and in Latin America.  West Virginia has a responsive state tourism department that solicits and promotes a myriad of forms of tourism.  State parks boast world-class visitor centers and guide service is well-developed.  There are visitor centers and tourism information kiosks.  These are all great tools that educate and motivate travelers in understanding the ecology of the region.

If you want to promote yourselves in the ecotourism market, begin to think in terms of the region and the bioregion -- what types of ecosystems are shared, across counties and across state lines?
Learn about watersheds, air quality, migratory birds and medicinal plants.  Learn about what interests you and what will interest the ecotourist.

In commercial terms, thinking regionally works in terms of promoting your services to national and international visitors who pay more attention to natural divisions, rather than state or county boundaries.

Be proud of what's local.  Show off what's in your backyard.  If you don't know the names of flora and fauna - ask! Conservation groups and government offices can provide answers and educational materials for yourself and your clients.  You can even prepare your own pamphlets or small guidebooks so that travelers not only arrive but stay longer than they expected.  They might even come back.

In response to a question Ron made a comment that I would like to build on.  When describing how business act over time, he said that they "spiral in to the center," the center meaning that they demonstrate good conservation and local participation.  I wonder if this movement towards the "bullseye" (Section 1 What is Ecotourism?) tells us that it is right to be inclusive with respect to who is an ecotourism operator.  By bringing them into the picture, and letting market forces operate can we increase the scope of ecotourism in West Virginia?  Peter Maille, Thorn Run Inn

5.1.1  Ecotourism Businesses Using the Internet
Convenor: Ron Mader
Participants:

After a lively discussion the group decided:
· that is was premature to develop an ecotourism web site.   This was based on the experience of the O’Brians and the difficulty of maintaining control over the use of the term "ecotourism."  Better to defer this type of activity than to allow people to call anything "ecotourism."
· that we ought to establish an electronic group to help move ecotourism forward.   This is the West Virginia Ecotourism Network and can be found at "http://www.egroups.com/group/wv_ecotourism_net/"

5.2.1 Bridging The Gap between agencies and ecotourism providers:
General Q & A Discussion
Attendance: Peggy, Julie, Brad, Denise, Dave O’Brien, John&; ______ (snowshoe), Bonnie.

WV Ecotourism Network’s Roundtable
Background:  An email listserv is a great thing, and will be very useful.  But we still need to meet each other face to face in order to keep the group’s human contact.

We might want to start an Ecotourism Roundtable with a non-controversial topic such as Permitting Process on Public Lands, or Joint Marketing.  However, some sensitive/controversial topics listed below were danced around at our workshop, with the phrase "don’t even go there!" becoming our humor mantra. It might be useful for further discussion and information sharing at an Ecotourism Roundtable.  There are issues that the group may be able to have an effect on, if we work together.

Peggy suggested that we organize quarterly (or 2-3x/year) informal meetings that have focused discussion (with "expert" panels) around topics of interest, with meeting places rotated around the state and perhaps at various B&Bs.

This is currently occurring with the WV Watershed Network, which can serve as a model, as well as the Forestry Roundtables.  Additional agenda items such as organizing events, newsletters, workshops, political support, etc. are taken care of during a business meeting.

The Ecotourism Roundtable can be informational/educational and/or action-oriented.

Here is the Concept:

Proposed Topics of Discussion
Standards vs. Certification;

• Developing Guidelines together for various levels of Ecotourism Industry.  Should guides be certified?
• Corridor H, and other 4 lane highways’ effects on Ecotourism Industry
• Mountain Top Removal effects on Ecotourism Industry
• Recycling &; Solid Waste Authorities.  The need to fully fund county SWA’s.  Legislation to provide incentives for Recycling.  Goal:  one Recycling Center per county by the Year 2020 (?)
• Gateway Communities.  Developing building design standards for franchises and chains
• Maintaining community character & sense of place
• Definition of Ecotourism
• Permitting Policies &; Procedures.  Red Tape on Public Lands USFS, NPS, DNR, Blackwater Canyon
• Joint Marketing efforts

Publicize Roundtables via listserv, web pages, other listservs, press releases, newsletter articles, etc.

Funding potential via Canaan Valley Institute, Benedum Foundation, WV Development Office, WV Division of Tourism, etc.

When? One day every 3, 4, or 6 months.
Collaborate with other state gatherings, such as:
WV Environmental Council’s annual meeting in September?
Sustainable Festival& June summer solstice 2000?
Seneca Rocks Visitor Center Guide Training

Unanswered Questions:
Who would lead / organize the sessions?  Is this something that The Ecotourism Institute  would have the resources to handle?  Or, is a broader team approach needed?  Can it be done through a team over the listserv?

Guide Training
USFS  is willing to develop a guide training session for the public, in partnership with WVU.

USFS currently provides their seasonal volunteers training on interpretive skills at the Seneca Rocks Visitor Center.

WV State Parks offers a 3 day training for seasonal park employees, ie how to do nature walks, etc. The cost is around $30. Kim McHenry is the contact at State Parks.

WV-DNR offers interesting trainings for the public:

• Outdoor Womens Weekend
• Nongame Weekend
• Wildflower Weekend

How would we go about developing a certification program for ecotourism guides?   Would they have to take a series of classes to be certified?  Would they receive a certificate?  Who would train and confer the "degree"? Should we go through the National Association For Interpreters (NAI)?

Certification:  Don’t go there!
It is very complex, and we are not ready.
In NJ, they have a Dept. of EcoTourism under Tourism.
Certification could be for either ET Businesses or for ET Guides (as is done for organic food, wild edibles).
What is the basic minimum that should be adhered to?
Use Standards, instead of Certifications. The State can then provide a list of businesses that Meet The ET Standards.
We need to work together to develop guidelines for the EcoTourism Industry create an ET Guide (i.e. B&Bs have developed  guidelines)
For example, we want to be flexible and lenient and inclusive enough to continue to allow 80 year old storytellers provide that experience to visitors.
Whitewater guides get some interpretive training, but is the info they relate to visitors authentic facts or folksy rumors? How can we help improve this? What do the visitors demand? Suggestion to use a Complaint / Comment sheet, and to research & survey the visitors.
We need to involve state and national parks more. They are the leaders. They can help promote ET, and offer training for guides.

Research
Ecotourism Visitor Survey how was their experience? How could it have been better? Information received on natural , cultural, heritage of area? Stories by guides? Concerns regarding interpretation authenticity?
Source of litter visitors or locals? Morgan County/Berkeley Springs study showed that litter was greater during the tourist season than the non-tourist season.

Recycling Litter
Many counties have no place to take the recycled items.
What do people demand? Most people want the earth pretty clean.
How to better fund Solid Waste Authorities for each county, and develop recycling centers at each?
Need the monthly free dump days to be highly promoted.

Internet Web Page
WV Division of Tourism web page should have a special Ecotourism page
Include: Roundtable meetings, events, training opportunities, benefits to businesses that are ET, ET definition.
Search engine for keywords "Ecotourism WV" and some things come up.

Definition of Ecotourism (ET) and other terms
We need Truth In Advertising! Caution:  Don’t bastardize terms for sake of promotion.
Terms: Eco-Travel, Nature Travel, Nature-based Tourism, Place-based Tourism, Eco-friendly.
The term "Eco-friendly" it may minimize standards. Its goal is to have a broader buy-in to the concept so that hotel chains and fast food establishments can participate. It includes such things as: no Styrofoam, not washing sheets daily, recycling.
Check out the Ecotourism Society of America definition.
Audubon has a travel ethic. This is a real concern in WV because there is so much driving & gasoline usage.
Should environmental education be added to the definition of Eco-tourism? Where does it fit?

Gateway Communities to National Parks, State Parks, State Forests
Need to control the fast food look require certain facades.
Zoning development vs. incentives?
How to change peoples’ attitudes? With incentives.
Work with local communities to regulate new development, and maintain the sense of place.

5.2.2  How to Be Creative & Local Participation Efforts.
Conveners: Chris O'Brien, Peter Maille
Note Taker: Myra Bonhage-Hale

Chris began the conversation by saying she wanted to succeed in eco-tourism but was afraid her image was too "out there" to attract tourists.   Her question, "How can we survive when being creative?" Peter asked her "What's the most creative and rewarding thing you have done in y our business?"  Chris pondered and then said, "I guess, my guided tours of the woods and birds - nature tours.  at the B & B.  The comment was made that it was OK to be creative but the effort had to be worded correctly for acceptance.

Chris then said, "I guess the most creative thing was our claw foot tubs." She explained that they are situated on each cabin's deck (quite isolated from one another) and have hot water, so that guests enjoy the "hot springs ambiance" of the area while sitting outside in a claw footed tub.   It is quite popular with their guests.

John Williams said that he focuses on promoting interrelationships with nearby neighbors and gave as his example how his organic vegetable/flower gardens attracted senior citizens from a nearby apartment house, who ultimately directed business his way from their visitors.  He said, in response to a comment made by Myra, "that just because you build it, they do not necessarily come," that he thinks doing interesting things is more important than building things.  Peter commented that his best and most creative ideas come when the TV is NOT ON, but when he is mowing with his reel mower.   His experience is that teaching city kids nature must start with their parents in the country at 2-3 years old.

Myra contributed some creative ideas:  camping, learning to garden, make trails, make cabins for divorced fathers with their children on vacation combined with a Positively Single support group.(as opposed to the usual Daddy as Santa in Disneyland vacation)  And another dream/vision of having small very primitive cabins in her woods which would be rented out to musicians, photographers and artists.  Peter talked about being creative as a small-business person - that most of their efforts with their tourists from the DC/Baltimore area is to help them unwind.   He said it is important to identify the needs of clients from your experience with them and then use your skills to give them what they need, e.g.  guided imagery.   He commented that the winding roads to his Inn help people unwind and get a mind set for the countryside.   He was worried about  the effects of Corridor H on this ambiance, and as he has only 20 acres with borrowed landscape from his neighbors, his ambiance depended on their values in keeping their land as it is.   He was encouraging them to open up a bedroom or two as B & B's in order that they too make money and see the efficacy of taking pride in what they own and have.

Roger (Potomac Headwaters RC & D Council) asked "What is participation?  How far does local (as in local participation) go? He said his role is to help programs (city, counties, parks and recreation, groups of concerned citizens) identify resources to help resolve problems.  They have supported everything from giving a teacher's aide $500 to establish an environmental program and to giving multimillions of dollars to B & O.

Peter said he wanted to draw together the neighbors up and down his road with authentic old houses and run a workshop to try to get them to open a B & B - it only costs $50 for a business license.   This would be an effort to keep open space in the face of the pressure of Corridor H and many people from Balto/Wash.  moving into the area and using farm land for housing developments.   This was one way to be creative in order to influence people with open space property in their area to keep it.

John Williams said one solution was to have regular public forums (written, meetings) about localit[ies] - what the residents want the area to look like - public and private interests.   This would bring power to the forums and might ultimately result in political power - and the ability to influence planning in the community,  It might help people to align power bases.  Roger spoke of the Jefferson County Rural Option program which protects farm land but also allows Wal Mart.

Chris voiced concern about what would happen to their natural 80 acres off Rt.  9 in Hedgesville as Rt.  9 was currently being widened.   She wondered how she could continue to be creative if houses surrounded her property.   She wondered if she would have to consider moving to another, more rural area in the future.

The consensus of the group seemed to be that planning together with local participation was the most practical means of controlling urban sprawl in W.V.

5.3.1  The Role  of Large-Scale Resorts
Convener:  John Teets
Participants:
Discussion:  Is Snowshoe a Eco-Tourism resort? By definition Snowshoe is.  Eco-tourism
was defineed by three major components we feel that Snowshoe does fit these
the three catagories.

 1.  Local Interest: Snowshoe employees over 1,500 employees in the
winter. With over 70% of these employees residing in Pocahontas County.  The
resort has plenty of local interests.  Snowshoe also does many promotions
throughout the surrounding counties by offering students discount prices for
both our summer and winter activities.

2. Profibility: Snowshoe brings a large profit not only to Pocahontas County
3. but many other areas along the way.  The visitors coming
   to Snowhsoe will stop at countless restaurants, gas stations and hotels
   along their destination route.  Pocahontas county also receives economic
   growth from the lodging taxes that the Resort brings in from our overnight
   lodging guests.

 3.  Conservation: Snowshoe offers a variety of environmental education
programs to help educate the guests on how to be environmentally friendly.
We offer simple activities such as daily nature hikes and stream explorations
along with week long camping expeditions teaching techniques of minimal
impact camping.  The resort itself is also taking a much more environmentally
sound way of how they do their daily operations.

Snowshoe  has not always been the most environmentally sound resort but the
pendulum is swinging.   All things take time but Snowhsoe is definitely
taking steps in the right direction. They have formed solid partnerships with
the USFS  and  work hand in hand with the DNR on their education programs.
Snowhsoe is a large resort with lots of resources and concerns for the
environment. We are very glad to take part in the conference and to be a
member of the WV eco-tourism community.
 

Conference Flyer
List of Participant Contact Information
Post Conference Press Release

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