Responsible Tourism Week 2011: An Unconference

“Why is this event not available via live streaming on the Web?” This was a comment by Ron Mader on my post on the World Responsible Tourism Programme at the World Travel Market last November.  Ron makes a good point.  For anybody working toward a more responsible and sustainable tourism, the heavy emissions of flight travel are a central concern.

“Tourism events should be leading the way in offering free wi-fi and live streaming,” Ron continued in his comment. “Do we need to make the long haul flight to tourism conferences to discuss the impacts of climate change?”

Ron Mader is the founder of Planeta.com, a “global journal of practical ecotourism” with a track record of using web2.0 technology to promote responsible tourism dialogue and participation.

One of his annual online events is Responsible Tourism Week.  Ron calls it an “unconference,” an ongoing online event that encourages new global-level connections and local-level events. There’s no agenda, and no need for long haul flights or conference entrance fees.  Just connect on various web2.0 platforms to contribute and follow.

The 2011 Responsible Tourism Week is from February 14-18.  How to participate?

• Check out the Flickr photos
• use the wiki
• introductions and posts on the event’s Facebook and LinkedIn pages
• tag relevant pages and tweets with the hashtag #rtweek2011
• think of examples of positive, constructive tourism and showcase them online
• think about conference and meeting travel, and how it can be reduced given the web technology available today

Thanks, Planeta.com, for leading the way toward greener conferencing and travel.