Okinawa Declaration : "A Message for Future"

In commemorating the International Year of Ecotourism

Okinawa Declaration

at

International Ecotourism Conference Okinawa

“A Message for Future”

We, the delegates including ecotourism operators, local residents, administrators and researchers in various fields from 24 countries, gathered in Okinawa to discuss “the future of ecotourism” which will contribute to the autonomous development in island regions worldwide.

Whereas, reports on the Ecotourism and the Green Productivity practices in Japan and from around the world were introduced and various issues were identified.

Whereas, it is confirmed that Ecotourism and the Green Productivity would be an effective tool for the regional autonomous development and maintenance of societal and cultural diversification.

Whereas, we have acknowledged that the regional autonomous development and maintenance of the regional diversity sustained by the Ecotourism and the Green Productivity will also contribute the realization of world peace and safe society.

Whereas, a new value system for the future local development is being cultivated through Ecotourism and the Green Productivity practices. And it is recognized that this would be a right direction for the realization for a sustainable society.

Whereas, we confirmed the importance of developing new frameworks to address the various issues and barriers, and suggested a partnership between residents, relevant industries, administrations and other stakeholders.

Therefore, having realized through the International Ecotourism Conference Okinawa, which commemorates the UN International Year of Ecotourism 2002, our role as a driving force for ecotourism promotion, we will commit ourselves to actions for the realization of sustainable nature and society.

December 1, 2002

International Ecotourism Conference
Okinawa Committee Chairman

Keiichi Inamine
Governor of Okinawa Prefecture

International Ecotourism Conference Okinawa