| About us Eco & Sustainable Tourism Israel is a non for profit organization, established on 2006, in order to promote awareness and implementation of sustainable principles and practices in Israel's tourism industry. The organization vision is to: “Turn the Israeli tourism industry into a vehicle for conserving natural and cultural resources and enhancing local communities' self sufficiency and empowerment capabilities". To fulfill our vision and work with all relevant stakeholders with various platforms and frameworks, including: website, professional workshops and lectures, educational and marketing events and materials. For more information see this power point presentation. The organization operates according to the following definitions: Sustainable tourism is: "a development that meets the needs of the present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing the opportunity for the future. It is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled, while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems". (World Tourism Organization) Ecotourism is: "a responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people" (The International Ecotourism society). Therefore, Ecotourism's goals are: 1. Improve conservation capabilities 2. Strengthen local tourism industry 3. Improve communities' well being 4. Enrich tourists' experience Our team Michal Wimmer-Luria, Founder & CEO MSc in Environmental Management, Wageningen University, the Netherlands. Her office prepared the 'Yarqon River Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan' for the Yarqon River Authority and the 'Strategy and Action Plan on Sustainable Tourism' for the Ministry of Tourism. Lecturer in the Hebrew and Ben Gurion Universities and in professional workshops. Dor Havkin, V.RPS. and Director of ecological development Certified permaculture consultant by the Brisbane Permaculture institute, Australia, and an environmental implementation consultant. Builder of grey water recycling systems. Lecturer in workshops for green building, permaculture, etc. |
