Submitted by Duane (not verified) on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 14:16.
We aren’t perfect and we don’t wanna be perfect….(taxi driver explaining the signage within Dublin or lack of, which is what makes everyone/thing unique)
A common thread was discovered during the Ireland Study Group that will propel West Virginia State University to lead the way in fostering development among many partners within Ecotourism. Regardless of where the group traveled or what was seen, something stayed the same. This item was reinforced with every contact, from shopkeepers to community developers to pubkeepers.
We have this item prevalent within our communities in West Virginia, though I question to the same extent as demonstrated by the contacts within Ireland, more specifically the Northwest region. Each stop provided an opportunity to explore another area and contact, from James (Institute of Technology at Sligo) to Brian, John and Denise (performing a collection of Irish traditional songs and tunes), and reinforce what became a common thread woven throughout the area. Heritage.
Many opportunities lie before us, within Ecotourism.
What is Ecotourism? One organization defines it as: embraces the principles of sustainable tourism with the following principles to distinguish it from the wider concept of sustainable tourism:
o Contributes actively to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage,
o Includes local and indigenous communities in its planning, development and operation, contributing to their well-being,
o Interprets the natural and cultural heritage of the destination to visitor,
o Lends itself better to independent travelers, as well as to organized tours for small size groups.
As the taxi driver stated, we aren’t perfect and we don’t wanna be perfect. So, do we, as West Virginians, want to develop our common thread for others to discover?
Common Thread
We aren’t perfect and we don’t wanna be perfect….(taxi driver explaining the signage within Dublin or lack of, which is what makes everyone/thing unique)
A common thread was discovered during the Ireland Study Group that will propel West Virginia State University to lead the way in fostering development among many partners within Ecotourism. Regardless of where the group traveled or what was seen, something stayed the same. This item was reinforced with every contact, from shopkeepers to community developers to pubkeepers.
We have this item prevalent within our communities in West Virginia, though I question to the same extent as demonstrated by the contacts within Ireland, more specifically the Northwest region. Each stop provided an opportunity to explore another area and contact, from James (Institute of Technology at Sligo) to Brian, John and Denise (performing a collection of Irish traditional songs and tunes), and reinforce what became a common thread woven throughout the area. Heritage.
Many opportunities lie before us, within Ecotourism.
What is Ecotourism? One organization defines it as: embraces the principles of sustainable tourism with the following principles to distinguish it from the wider concept of sustainable tourism:
o Contributes actively to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage,
o Includes local and indigenous communities in its planning, development and operation, contributing to their well-being,
o Interprets the natural and cultural heritage of the destination to visitor,
o Lends itself better to independent travelers, as well as to organized tours for small size groups.
As the taxi driver stated, we aren’t perfect and we don’t wanna be perfect. So, do we, as West Virginians, want to develop our common thread for others to discover?