The third cultural tourism conference (3-5 December) organized jointly between the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) concluded today in Istanbul, Turkey. Participants declared their support for cultural tourism as a driver for safeguarding living heritage, catalyzing creativity in cities, and spreading tourism’s socioeconomic benefits to all.
A key conclusion from the conference was the need for a clear and strong link between tourism, culture and local community stakeholders. Cultural tourism policies and strategies must consider the perspectives and interests of local communities, who can also assist governance bodies in balancing tourism
Cultural and heritage attractions are key to tourism development in many countries around the world, and innovation and technology can make these attractions more accessible while preserving their essence, the seminar concluded. It also stressed that innovation and technology should empower, rather than disenfranchise, host populations and communities and can assist them in retaining their authenticity, while cultural heritage development and preservation should be a part of local and national plans for socioeconomic development through tourism and technology.
The African Tourism Board is set to be launched at the World Travel Market on Monday, November 5, 14:00, Excel London World Travel Market North Gallery Room 4. Already a number of African travel and tourism companies have joined the ATB including Holiday Nigeria™, the leading inbound and domestic tour operating franchise company in Nigeria.
The idea of an African Tourism Board was created by the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) based in Seychelles, Brussels, Bali, and Hawaii.
Last April the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) led the global tourism industry leaders and stakeholders to champion Sustainable Tourism in the areas of international wildlife preservation and conservation. WTTC's sustained campaign led over 40 global tourism industry and allied partners to sign the Buenos Aires Declaration on illegal wildlife trade.
In compliance and activation of a United Nations mandate, one of her specialized agencies, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has since 2017 held several workshops, conferences, seminars and presentations, on economic tourism statistical measurement to national tourism organisations and regional tourism groups, particularly in Africa.
Google announces the launch of a new online tool that now allows users to track air fares according to the time of booking.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has concluded her tour in Africa with new hopes to see more Britons visiting this continent, rich with wildlife, historical sites, and diversified cultures.
Today, there are no longer only travel wish lists, but also so-called “not-to-go lists”. Since many places are so seasonally overloaded, we call it over-tourism.
