06 Dec 2018
UN conference highlights link between tourism, culture and community
BY Andy Knaggs
The need to channel tourism revenues into cultural preservation and community development was identified as a key governance challenge at the UNWTO/UNESCO cultural tourism conference, held in Istanbul, Turkey from 3 to 5 December.
More than 30 ministers with responsibility for tourism from around the world attended the event, which is the third such conference to be organised jointly by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The conference established the need for a clear link between tourism, culture and local community stakeholders, stressing that cultural tourism policies and strategies must consider the interests of local communities. These communities in turn can help governance bodies to balance tourism development with heritage conservation and safeguarding.
UNESCO deputy director-general Xing Qu said: “Tourism provides a tremendous opportunity to support local economic development, while breaking down barriers between people. Harnessing creativity and technological innovation, as well as safeguarding heritage is essential for promoting responsible and sustainable tourism to support and unify communities for years to come.”
A ministerial debate concluded that tourism and culture are “indivisible”, and must work together to ensure that tourism does not suffocate cultural heritage. Further sessions in the conference focused on the potential of cultural tourism to help cities transform into more sustainable and creative destinations, and the twin influence of responsible tourism and technological advances in safeguarding cultural heritage.
Host nation Turkey saw five of its leading tourism companies sign up to a commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism at the event.
A declaration outlining the commitment of all participants to reinforcing the tourism and culture partnership as an enabler for achieving the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda is expected to be issued soon.
In 2019, the cultural tourism conference is scheduled to take place in Kyoto, Japan.
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