- TIES launched by a team organized by Megan Epler Wood at a conference in Florida in 1989 as the world’s first international non-profit dedicated to ecotourism as a tool for conservation and sustainable development.
- Epler Wood recruits the first board of directors and Chairman, David Western in 1990. Western and Epler Wood raise the first grants for the Society.
Conceitos – História
The International Ecotourism Society – TIES (1990)
The International Ecotourism Society – TIES
A The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) é uma organização sem fins lucrativos dedicada à promoção do ecoturismo.
Fundada em 1990, a TIES tem estado na vanguarda do desenvolvimento do ecoturismo, fornecendo diretrizes e padrões, treinamento, assistência técnica e recursos educacionais.
A rede global de profissionais e viajantes de ecoturismo da TIES está liderando os esforços para tornar o turismo uma ferramenta viável para a conservação, proteção da diversidade bio-cultural e desenvolvimento sustentável da comunidade.
Atualmente, o TIES possui membros em mais de 190 países e territórios, representando vários campos profissionais e segmentos da indústria, incluindo: acadêmicos, consultores, profissionais e organizações de conservação, governos, arquitetos, operadores turísticos, proprietários e gerentes de pousadas, especialistas em desenvolvimento geral e ecoturistas.
Missão
A missão de TIES, abordando a necessidade de unir comunidades, conservação e viagens sustentáveis, continua
a destacar a importância do envolvimento da comunidade para facilitar a sustentabilidade econômica, social e ambiental.
Reconhecendo a conjuntura crítica, encontramos os mecanismos para garantir a conservação da biodiversidade e
o futuro sustentável do mundo do qual depende.
- Envolver
Por meio de uma rede internacional de profissionais da indústria e líderes empresariais, a TIES oferece valiosas oportunidades de networking e desenvolvimento profissional. - Empoder
Como fonte global de conhecimento e defesa do ecoturismo, o TIES oferece ferramentas educacionais práticas e promove oportunidades de capacitação para profissionais. - Inspirar
Utilizando as experiências globais de desenvolvimento do ecoturismo, o TIES ajuda a integrar a sustentabilidade no turismo e a inspirar mudanças positivas na indústria.
Timeline / Linha do Tempo
2016
- First annual ESTCNA held in Tampa Bay, Florida in partnership with the Patel College of Global Sustainability
2015
- Largest ever ESTC held in Quito, Ecuador with the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador
- TIES turns 25 years old!
- Revision of ecotourism Definition and Principles
- Awards the Kelly Bricker Award to Simon Omalenge
2014
- Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference held in Bonito, Brazil
- Participates at “Beyond 2015: An Action Agenda by Non-governmental organizations” at the United Nations to include tourism as a significant contributor to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Launch of the Certificate in Sustainable Tourism Management in partnership with George Washington University
2013
- First international Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya
- Awards Megan Epler-Wood “TIES Lifetime Achievement Award”
- Launch of the Ecotourism Master Class Series
- Publication of the Sustainable Tourism and the Millennium Development Goals
- Launch of the University Consortium Certificate
2012
- Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference held in Monterey, California
- Participates USAID-sponsored ecotourism skills development program in Jordan
- Launch of e-publication “The International Voluntourism Guidelines for Commercial Tour Operators” with support from the PlaneterraFoundation
- Launch of the TIES Travel Ambassador Program
- Destination Workshop: Making Sustainable Tourism Marketable
- Authentic Ecolodge planning, design, and Operations Workshop
2011
- Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) held in Hilton Head Island, SC, USA, in partnerships with Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Convention Bureau.
- Organizes ESTC11 pre-conference workshops, including “Sustainable Tourism: Doing Good as a Market Driver”, a half-day workshop on destination marketing and management strategies.
- Organizes a workshop on sustainable tourism business management in Grand Bahama, in partnerships with US Fish & Wildlife Service and Society for Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds.
- Organizes a workshop on ecotourism product development and destination marketing in South Korea, in partnership with Ecotourism Korea; Republic of Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
- Launches the International Voluntourism Guidelines Project, in partnership with Planeterra.
2010
- TIES turns 20 years old!
- Publishes “Ecotourism Then and Now” by TIES founder Megan EplerWood
- Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) held in Portland, Oregon, USA, in partnerships with Travel Portland and Travel Oregon.
- Presents the Innovation Leadership in Sustainable Tourism Award at the ESTC10.
- Co-organizes the first European Ecotourism Conference (EuroEco), held in Parnu, Estonia.
- Becomes a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
2009
- Launches the ecoDestinations program, with the goal of connecting travelers with inspiring ecotourism initiatives in various destinations around the world.
- Launches Your Travel Choice Blog (YourTravelChoice.org), TIES new interactive communication platform to engage, educate and inspire.
- Announces partnership with Planeterra Foundation, TIES Voluntourism Partner.
- Publishes the first edition of the Travel Green Guide, TIES new annual e-publication serving as a resource guide to responsible travel options.
- Announces conference partnership with the Adventure Travel Trade Association.
2008
- Organizes, in partnership with local NGOs, “Washington DC Eco-Tour”, highlighting eco-friendly initiatives and educational opportunities in the greater Washington community.
- Hosts a public forum “Indigenous Business Leaders in Ecotourism” in partnership with the Swedish Ecotourism Society.
- Announces the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) as TIES’ annual conference focusing on greening the tourism industry.
- Organizes the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008 (ESTC08) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Announces the first Lifetime Achievement Award.
2007
- Organizes the Global Ecotourism Conference 2007 (Oslo, Norway), the first global gathering of ecotourism professionals after the IYE.
- Organizess the North American Ecotourism Conference 2007 (Madison, Wisconsin), the first bi-national conference focused on ecotourism in North America.
2006
- Launches the Advocacy Campaign “Traveling with Climate in Mind”
2005
- Supports relief efforts and advocates for sustainable tourism in Indian Ocean countries devastated by tsunami.
- Marks 15th anniversary with second “Celebration of Ecotourism” in Washington, DC.
- Sponsors first conference on “Ecotourism in the U.S.” in Bar Harbor, Maine, together with local Chamber of Commerce.
2004
- Co-hosts the Traveler’s Philanthropy conference at Stanford University in California, USA.
- Holds first Annual General Meeting open to all members in Washington, DC.
- Begins multi-year research on tourism certification as part of Rainforest Alliance-led project focusing on five Latin American countries.
2003
- Participates in World Ecotourism Summit in Quebec City, Canada, organizing NGOs and indigenous groups, and offering training workshops.
- Publishes International Ecolodge Guidelines.
- Conducts study on social and environmental footprint of nature-based lodges around the world.
- Launches distance learning courses and Sustainable Tourism Certification with the George Washington University.
2002
- Holds additional IYE regional meetings in India, Peru, Thailand, Kenya and Sweden.
2001
- With the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), holds IYEregional meetings in Belize and the Seychelles.
- Launches new online magazine, Ecotourism Observer. and publishes Ecotourism: Principles, Practices and Policies for Sustainability.
- Joins Rainforest Alliance’s initiative to assess feasibility of creating accreditation system for sustainable tourism and ecotourism certification.
2000
- Kicks off first consumer education campaign, “Your Travel Choice Can Make a Difference.”
- Attends “Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Certification Workshop” at Mohonk Mountain House, New York and signs seminal “MohonkAgreement.”
- Publishes The Business of Ecolodges, based on international survey of financial data from ecolodges.
- Changes name to The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in preparation for International Year of Ecotourism (IYE); moves its office from North Bennington to Burlington, Vermont.
1999
- Publishes Marine Ecotourism Guidelines.
- Holds ecotourism training workshop at the World Ecotourism Conference in Sabah, Malaysia.
- Works with the Programme for Belize to analyze revenue generating strategies for conserving coral reefs.
- Produces Cultural Survival Quarterly issue entitled “Protecting Indigenous Culture and Land through Ecotourism.”
1998
- Holds regional workshop, “Planning and Developing an Ecotourism Destination,” in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
- Co-hosts ecotourism training workshop for tour operators in Tahiti.
- Conducts “Marine Ecotourism Stakeholder” meetings in the Caribbean and Mexico.
1997
- Co-hosts first regional forum, “Ecotourism and Community Participation,” in Quito, Ecuador.
- Together with Kenya Wildlife Service and Ecotourism Society of Kenya, sponsors regional conference, “Ecotourism at the Crossroads: Charting the Way Forward,” in Nairobi, Kenya.
1996
- Holds first “Marine Ecotourism Workshop” in Hawaii.
- Co-publishes Tourism, Ecotourism and Protected Areas, with the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
1995
- Launches Ecotourism News Service and Ecotourism Society Research Service; issues first fact sheets and information packets.
- Publishes The Ecolodge Sourcebook for Planners and Developers.
- Holds forum in Costa Rica with participants from over 30 countries to define international ecolodge standards.
1994
- Sponsors first “International Ecolodge Forum and Field Seminar on Ecolodge Design” at Maho Bay Camps, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Holds the first “International Ecotourism Partners” meeting in Virgin Islands to foster national and regional ecotourism associations.
1993
- Publishes its first book, Ecotourism: A Guide for Planners and Manager and popular pamphlet Ecotourism Guidelines for Nature Tour Operators.
- Working with member tour operators, helps win higher park entrance fees for foreign visitors to Costa Rica’s National Parks.
1992
- Advocates for sound ecotourism practices at World Parks and Protected Areas Congress in Caracas, Venezuela and First World Congress on Tourism and the Environment in Belize.
- Produces first set of comprehensive guidelines for ecotourism operators based on international surveys and focus groups.
1991
- Board establishes TIES mission and the definition of ecotourism.
- Works with Charles Darwin Foundation to find solutions to uncontrolled tourism growth in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
- Offers “Ecotourism Management Seminar” with the George Washington University in Washington, DC.
1990
