Speakers

• Juho Pesonen
• Professor Gurudas Nulkar Ph.D — Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics

Abstract

Ecotourism is increasingly recognised as a pathway for aligning economic development with environmental protection, creating opportunities for communities while safeguarding the natural ecosystems on which tourism depends. Under the theme **“Ecotourism: Digital Innovation, Responsible Travel and Biodiversity,”** this session, co-hosted by SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), will explore how destinations, businesses, and travellers can foster more sustainable forms of tourism that support biodiversity conservation, encourage responsible travel behaviours, and deliver positive social and economic outcomes. The discussion will also examine the growing role of digital innovation in advancing sustainable tourism. From visitor management and destination monitoring to behavioural insights, community engagement, and environmental impact measurement, digital tools are transforming how destinations balance tourism growth with conservation objectives.

Our speakers, **Professor Gurudas Nulkar** and **Professor Juho Pesonen**, will provide distinct perspectives from their work in sustainable development and tourism innovation, reflecting the opportunities and challenges of advancing ecotourism across diverse global contexts.
**Professor Gurudas Nulkar** is Professor and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, whose research focuses on sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable economic models. **Professor Juho Pesonen** is Professor of Tourism Business at the University of Eastern Finland, Director of the eTourism Lab, and a leading researcher on digital tourism, smart destinations, and the use of technology to support sustainable tourism development.
Together, in an interactive session, they will discuss how digital innovation can strengthen ecotourism practices, support evidence-based decision-making, and help ensure that tourism contributes to biodiversity conservation, resilient ecosystems, and more responsible patterns of production and consumption, advancing the shared ambitions of SDGs 12 and 15.

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