THE Philippines takes global centerstage once more as it hosts the International Ecotourism Travel Mart (IETM), the world's first-ever and biggest ecotourism-themed expo on March 30-31 at the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction in Silang, Cavite.

Organized by the Japan-based Asian Environmental Network, the IETM will promote the country's ecotourism sites, indigenous practices and culture, and push for measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

According to International School for Sustainable Tourism (ISST) president Mina Gabor, the fair will share best practices on ecotourism from global experts and provide networking avenues with ecotourism authorities and advocates.

The gathering will also bring together delegates and exhibitors worldwide to showcase products and services that have a strong ecotourism component, green technology and sustainable green practices.

The IETM will also have an Ecotourism Interactive Forum which is a series of six titles and themes designed to offer practical insights and effective steps to help improve sustainability knowledge and practice. Each session will have breakout or discussion group sessions for interaction among the group members and speakers.

Forum themes are Introduction to Ecotourism, Sociocultural Dimensions of Ecotourism, Environment and its Impact to Ecotourism, Economics/Business of Ecotourism, Education for Ecotourism, and Technology, Marketing and Promotion for Ecotourism, all of which will include best practices.

In line with the event, the ISST, the Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture forged a memorandum of understanding for the hosting of the expo.

'The Covid-19 pandemic has catalyzed the growing awareness that nature is part of the solution to public health and environmental challenges. Thus, a regional fair that elevates the tourism sector as a leader in promoting the balance between economic development and harnessing nature as a solution to our current challenges only comes timely,' says ACB executive director Theresa Mundita Lim.

She said that ACB will feature the success stories of its biodiversity conservation and livelihood programs in Southeast Asia through an interactive exhibition and displays featuring earth-friendly materials.

The event's government partner agencies are the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, the Province of Cavite, and the Municipality of Silang.