In May 2007, proponents of ecotourism and environmentally sensitive travel met in Oslo, Norway to discuss the challenges facing this burgeoning industry. In a climate conducive to success, more than 450 people attended the event, which resulted in a Statement on Ecotourism. This document addressed many of the questions that come up during discussion of this important issue, and identified many of the challenges that will arise in the future.

Supporters of serious ecotourism programs designated 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism, but it was five years before a global conference was organized to take a detailed look at the issues. In addition to reviewing past efforts, conference attendees were able to celebrate the successes accomplished by the dedicated ecotourism industry leaders in the five years since breaking the ice with an international year declaration.

One particularly vital cog in this growing movement is The International Ecotourism Society, which works with the United Nations Environment Program and others to develop policy and programs for the industry. Experienced environmentalists and ecotourism proponents put their heads together to identify special sites around the globe that may be ideal for a restful, yet productive .

During the workshops and seminars at the global conference, these leaders put together a list of opportunities and challenges that must be prioritized for the ecotourism philosophy to thrive. Among the key items on the list: sustainable development, conservation of natural resources and methods of worldwide communication. One of the primary challenges in the next few years will be the branding and marketing of the ecotourism philosophy.

The Oslo Statement on Ecotourism should be available to interested persons and agencies once it is published and distributed. Many supporters are eagerly awaiting the chance to read the statement and learn more about the challenges and opportunities envisioned by conference attendees. The existence of a formal document may be just the incentive some people need to make a strong commitment to ecotourism. Having the issues and priorities in document form should provide an outline for action in the next few years.

The groundbreaking global ecotourism gathering in the Scandinavian region was packed with quality presentations from those who have paved the way for the growth of the industry. Manuscripts and speech outlines used by the numerous speakers will be an important addition to the fledgling library of ecotourism documents. In fact, one of the challenges for the future of the field will be selecting and cataloguing items that should be part of the collection. Successful development and conservation may well depend on the availability of research documents and field study reports.

Conference organizers were pleased to have representatives from various ecology and environmental associations at the all-important conference. The presence of these experts and professionals are just one indication of how important ecotourism is on a worldwide scale. The meeting proved to be a critical first step toward preserving and protecting global resources while identifying desirable travel locations.