05 Feb 2015, 04:04 pm
The Conference, run by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) aims to address the overlap between culture and tourism, tackling the question of how to harness the power of tourism and culture to alleviate poverty, create jobs, protect natural and cultural heritage and promote international understanding.
“On Wednesday , cultural tourism – the world’s mosaic of art forms, heritage sites, festivals, traditions, and pilgrimages – is growing at an unprecedented rate,” said Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General. “Humanity’s curiosity about cultural heritage is the element that truly differentiates one destination from another.”
Rifai described the growth of international tourism since the 1950s and the socio-economic contribution made by tourism, accounting for one out of every 11 jobs worldwide, as well as contributing nine per cent to global gross domestic product (GDP) and 30 per cent contribution to total global exports.
Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General, joined Rifai in looking forward to building a new, sustainable partnership that unites tourism and culture and said her goal was to create a positive mutually reinforcing dynamic between the two, working to build sustainability and to benefit local communities.
“Our starting point is to safeguard culture under all its forms, from monuments to living heritage, encompassing traditions, festivals and the performing arts,” said Bokova. We do so, because culture is who we are. It shapes our identity and is a means to foster respect and tolerance among people.”
She underlined the need to safeguard cultural heritage while moving ahead with sustainable tourism and said she believed that was the Conference’s core message, citing that vision as the route to promoting culture as a driver and enabler of sustainable development.
Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon, also welcomed delegates, looking forward to the event’s contribution to sustainable conservation and development of tourism and culture.
Photo: UNESCO
- 6 Factors to Consider While Choosing the Best Travel Insurance Online
- Srirangam Homestay: A harmonious blend of art, culture, and comfort in Shantiniketan
- White beluga whale Hvaldimir, dubbed 'Russian Spy', found dead off Norwegian coast
- Uzbekistan's historic city of Samarkand will host the UNESCO General Assembly 2025
- Make My Trip, Air India Express forges partnership to launch 'Xpress Holidays'
- Delhi airport roof collapse: One dead, six injured, flights disrupted; Opposition targets Modi
- Air India Express launches splash sale, can you guess the lowest fare offered?
- Australian Tourism rides Kolkata’s iconic tram with Raima Sen to promote their country in India
- Luxury hospitality group Jumeirah announces 2024 Global Wellness Day initiatives
- Tata-owned Air India unveils additional flights to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Milan
Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s leading low-cost carrier, is offering 50% off on fares to all destinations across its network from July 28 to 31.
New Delhi : Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India and a part of the Tata group, has launched its "Time to Travel" sale on the airline’s website, airindiaexpress.com, the Air India Express mobile app and other major booking channels.
Tokyo: Airlines were forced to cancel over 300 flights following the collision between a Japan Coast Guard aircraft and a Japan Airlines passenger plane at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Tuesday evening even as reports said the plane was cleared to land ahead of the tragedy.