Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

ANTARCTIC TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT  (AT&E)

Outline
As a professional association, we propose to offer lectures in universities and colleges about Antarctic tourism and its environmental consequences, enhancing the need to protect Antarctic cultural and natural heritage, as a means to promote a special interest in the future of the region together with the link with the North polar regions. This kind of tourism needs a great amount of consciousness since most of the disembarkation sites are unprotected and the only way to maintain them is that tourists as well as tour operations and governments keep and respect a Code of Well Practices and Behaviour from the beginning to the end of the journeys, in countries of origin and in the destination itself. There is a great interest about Antarctica in schools and universities teaching tourism, and our Association has information, pictures and members who are close to Antarctic activity, as trip leaders or former Antarctic stations staff members. Explanations about the IPY and the ways to get involved with it will be given at the end of each lecture, focusing on making the participants familiar and aware of the postulates, concepts, aims and scopes on the IPY.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
We can reach communities in the interior of Argentina, and a great number of schools, colleges and universities in Buenos Aires and the provinces. We have began with a lecture in Mendoza, with our subject included among others regarding tourism and environment, organised by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce of Argentina, with the presence of the Spanish Ambassador and 150 professors and students from Mendoza. They knew nothing about the IPY and were very enthusiastic about it, asking for the way to participate and get involved.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The support of the Iberoamerican Union of Tourism Professionals (Spain, Peru, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Costa Rica), that will communicate and publish our activities in the web site and send newsletters to their members.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Buenos Aires Mendoza El Calafate Ushuaia

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 04/06 – 12/06            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
This project will require the commitment of Universities and colleges in order to co-ordinate and define a schedule to offer lectures to teachers and students, regarding the importance of tourism and its impact on environment, as well as the need to protect Antarctic natural and cultural heritage.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes - It has been endorsed at national and internacional level. Our Association covers all the provinces in Argentina and Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua and Spain.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?

It is a new autonomous proposal, but we plan to attend the Eco Polar Ushuaia 2006 organised by the province of Tierra del Fuego.

How will the project be organised and managed?
We will have a number of lecturers that will volunteer to talk about the IPY; they will have a schedule agreed with the Secretariat of the Association.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
With the contribution of our members interested in Antarctic Tourism (private sources).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

ANTARCTIC TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT Adriana Romero
FORO DE PROFESIONALES EN TURISMO
México 1714 – 4to.”2”, Buenos Aires
Galicia 721 – 7mo. “A”, Buenos Aires
1100
Argentina

Tel: 54 1 4384-6268
Mobile: 1558661493
Fax: 54 1 4384-6268
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information