THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 10, 1996 TAG: 9610100317
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 35 lines
Ecotourism, or nature-based tourism, is the fastest-growing segment of the travel industry.
On Saturday, at the Southeastern Virginia Ecotourism Symposium, local officials and residents will explore ways to build successful ecotravel programs that will help protect the area's natural resources.
The symposium ``is a significant first step in the development of a new marketing initiative in nature-based travel for Virginia Beach,'' said Ron Kuhlman, director of marketing for the Virginia Beach Department of Convention and Visitor Development.
The city has been developing a marketing plan to inform tourists about the city's canoeing, biking, hiking and nature-watching opportunities. A brochure detailing the offerings was published recently.
``We will learn from case studies discussed at the symposium and build on the program annually,'' Kuhlman said.
The symposium, which will be held at the Virginia Marine Science Museum, is the first of what is expected to become an annual event.
Speakers include EcoTraveler magazine editor Lisa Tabb, and Dr. James F. Burke, a tourism development expert from Ryerson Polytechnic University in Toronto.
Field trips - to First Landing/Seashore State Park, the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge and a Virginia Marine Science Museum Ocean Collections boat trip - will follow the morning program.
Registration is $25 and includes admission to panel discussions, lunch, field trips and admission to the Virginia Marine Science Museum. Advance registration is requested, by calling the Virginia Beach Visitor Information Center at 437-4919. by CNB