Venezuela´s Third ExpoEcoturismo Ready to Get Cracking

Noted ecologist and architect Hector Ceballos-Lascurain will be one of many international, regional and local presenters at Venezuela´s third ExpoEcoturismo, set for October 19-21, 2005, in Maracaibo.

Building on the success of two former Expos, this year´s event will highlight efforts to gain UNESCO World Heritage status for the Catatumbo “lightning” phenomenon that takes place along Lake Maracaibo´s southern shore.

Located in Zulia State along Venezuela´s western border with Colombia, Maracaibo serves as the host of this year´s event, which will include a tourism industry conference, a public exposition showcasing Venezuelan destinations and travel suppliers, and a post-event familiarization trip for international tour operators and media.

The tourism industry conference, entitled “Sustainable Development for the Next Generation,” examines ways that regional ecotourism and adventure travel suppliers and destinations can be more successful, offering interactive presentations on: Ecolodge Design, Promotion & Marketing, Program Development, Science & Environment, and Sustainable Tourism.