TravelconT
07-12-2023
TravelconT, The Crossroads of Contemporary Travel in Postcolonial Tourism, a project whose objective is to map and reflect on tourist traffic from the point of view of Memory Tourism placing it within a critical discourse whose importance rests on an interdisciplinary methodological approach and research enhancing cross-border value and with a pluricontinental emphasis. As tourism is a worldwide activity with a huge impact on national GDPs, it is now a global phenomenon and transversal to a shared genealogy – colonial empires. This has acted as a catalyst for tourist flows in both directions: former colonial settlers visiting the old overseas geographies and the formerly colonised travelling as tourists to the old imperial centre in a dual dynamic whose perspective is extremely current. In sum, TravelconT is based on travel as an anchor and engine for value creation, promotion and empowerment of human development using tourism as an awareness-raising element leading to active and open citizenship. This is its added value, power and topicality, wholly in line with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations (SDGs).
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Ulu Ai Community-based Tourism
28-11-2023
The Ulu Ai Tourism Project in Sarawak, Malaysia is a sustainable partnership between tour operator Borneo Adventure and local Iban communities in Sarawak, Malaysia. The project has developed a long-term relationship between hosts and visitors, whereby visitors experience the local community lifestyle on the host’s terms. Started in 1987, tours to Ulu Ai focus on community, conservation and the environment, rather than on contrived performances and demonstrations. The experience benefits the hosts, local wildlife and, ultimately, the visitors. Travellers to Ulu Ai stay as guests of the indigenous Iban people, who benefit economically by providing a range of tourism services. Borneo Adventure supports local entrepreneurship and various community and conservation projects. With spectacular natural beauty, Ulu Ai is upriver Borneo travel at its best. The natural environment - pristine rainforest and clear fast flowing rivers - provide opportunities for nature-based activities and the resident Iban communities provide visitors with an insight into living in nature. The landscape is rugged with steep hills giving rise to many waterfalls on the smaller tributaries of the Ai River. The vegetation is dominated by secondary forest in various stages of regeneration with patches of primary rainforest and farmland. The forest cover is abundant and provides habitat for a rich diversity of wildlife, including one of Sarawak’s most iconic species: the orangutan. Tourism has provided the economic means to access better health care. Increased wealth and better (and more frequent) connectivity have benefited those who need to seek medical help. Importantly, tourism has brought positive benefits for the women of Ulu Ai. The women are able to participate in a variety of roles and earn money whilst still fulfilling their traditional home-based roles.
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ENGAGING COMMUNITIES, PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY, AND FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
28-11-2023
Our four-year strategic plan for the period 2023-2027, outlines our commitment to support community-based environmental conservation and promote sustainable tourism programs in the Virunga Mountains region and the Albertine Rift valley. As a non-governmental organization, our mission is to ensure the sustainable social and economic development of communities in this unique and biodiversity area. Objectives: Our initiatives are structured around four key objectives: 1. Environmental Conservation Initiative: Promoting environmental protection and climate change action through community awareness, education, and environmentally conscious tourism. 2. Arts and Culture Initiative: Preserving local cultures and traditions, linking them with sustainable tourism to provide communities with alternative income sources. 3. Education Initiative: Offering educational opportunities, including volunteer-led English programs and computer literacy, to expand local youths' resources and opportunities. 4. Community Health & Security Initiative: Investing in the health and security of the communities we serve, addressing issues from clean water to nutrition and housing. Partnerships: We strive to build strong partnerships with public institutions, civil society organizations, religious entities, the private sector, and individuals who share our commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable community development. We believe that working together leads to positive outcomes and progress for individuals, families, and entire communities.
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Ulu Ai Community-based Tourism
22-11-2023
The Ulu Ai Tourism Project in Sarawak, Malaysia is a sustainable partnership between tour operator Borneo Adventure and local Iban communities in Sarawak, Malaysia. The project has developed a long-term relationship between hosts and visitors, whereby visitors experience the local community lifestyle on the host’s terms. Started in 1987, tours to Ulu Ai focus on community, conservation and the environment, rather than on contrived performances and demonstrations. The experience benefits the hosts, local wildlife and, ultimately, the visitors. Travellers to Ulu Ai stay as guests of the indigenous Iban people, who benefit economically by providing a range of tourism services. Borneo Adventure supports local entrepreneurship and various community and conservation projects. With spectacular natural beauty, Ulu Ai is upriver Borneo travel at its best. The natural environment - pristine rainforest and clear fast flowing rivers - provide opportunities for nature-based activities and the resident Iban communities provide visitors with an insight into living in nature. The landscape is rugged with steep hills giving rise to many waterfalls on the smaller tributaries of the Ai River. The vegetation is dominated by secondary forest in various stages of regeneration with patches of primary rainforest and farmland. The forest cover is abundant and provides habitat for a rich diversity of wildlife, including one of Sarawak’s most iconic species: the orangutan. Tourism has provided the economic means to access better health care. Increased wealth and better (and more frequent) connectivity have benefited those who need to seek medical help. Importantly, tourism has brought positive benefits for the women of Ulu Ai. The women are able to participate in a variety of roles and earn money whilst still fulfilling their traditional home-based roles.
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Support Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development to empower Communities in Musanze, Rwanda
09-11-2023
Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development is a non-profit organization based in Musanze, Rwanda, dedicated to fostering positive change and sustainable development within local communities. We are seeking donors, sponsors, and grants to enhance our facilities and expand our impactful programs, including Balister coffee skills training, bakery skills and sugarcane juice making, culinary art programs for women, and community guide training. With your support, we can continue empowering individuals, promoting skill development, and contributing to the economic growth of the region. Programs and Initiatives: Balister Coffee Skills Training: Rwanda is renowned for its high-quality coffee production. Bakery Skills and Sugarcane Juice Making: Our bakery skills and sugarcane juice making programs provide participants with hands-on training in baking techniques and the art of crafting sugarcane-based beverages. Culinary Art Program for Women: We believe in empowering women through education and skill development Donations: Direct financial contributions enable us to enhance our facilities, provide better resources for our programs, and reach a broader audience. Sponsorships: Partner with us to sponsor specific programs, such as the bakery skills training or community guide training, showcasing your commitment to sustainable development and skill enhancement. Grants: If you're involved in grant administration, consider providing funding for our initiatives.
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Potencialidades de los Recursos Turisticos de San Carlos del Apa, departamento de Concepción - Paraguay 2022
07-11-2023
os recursos turísticos representan la base del desarrollo de la actividad, por tal motivo esta investigación tuvo como propósito determinar si los recursos de la localidad de San Carlos del Apa en Paraguay, cuenta con potencialidades susceptibles de aprovechamiento turístico. Para lo cual se recurrió a una investigación con enfoque cuantitativo, no experimental, transversal y descriptivo. Fueron analizados 21 recursos mediante la técnica de la observación cuyo instrumento fue una ficha de 5 dimensiones y 15 ítems: Categorización (5), Clasificación (2), Carácter (2), Valoración (4) y Jerarquía (2) en julio de 2022. Los principales resultados muestran que la localidad cuenta con 38% de recursos categorizados como Sitios Naturales, seguido de la categoría Folklore (28%), siendo en su mayoría de carácter cultural (62%), predominan recursos de tipo explotaciones agropecuarias y pesqueras, gastronómicas, arquitectura y espacios urbanos, áreas naturales protegidas y corrientes de agua. Respecto a la jerarquía el 38% de estos pueden ser considerados como Recursos Estrella (RE) y el 62% como complementarios (RC). Concluyendo finalmente que la localidad de San Carlos del Apa, cuenta con recursos de gran valor natural, cultural e histórico cuyas potencialidades turísticas son altas, siendo factible desarrollar productos turísticos de calidad. Sin embargo, requiere aún una planificación de los mismos, ponerlos en valor, protegerlos, consérvalos e integrarlos a circuitos o recorridos turísticos para generar una mayor oferta y estadía de los visitantes, así como mejorar las condiciones de accesibilidad, pernoctación, servicios de alimentos y bebidas, guiados y servicios complementarios para el visitante. Palabras clave: Recursos turísticos; potencialidad; categorización; jerarquía; Paraguay
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Miyama Town, Kyoto: Sustainable Tourism through Collaboration among Local Residents, Businesses, and Government
30-10-2023
Located in the center of Kyoto Prefecture, Miyama Town has a population of approximately 3,500 people and an area of 340 km2. The town has been designated by the Japanese government as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. 39 thatched-roof houses still remain in Miyama's northern hamlets, attracting tourists both domestic and international tourists. As a result of village revitalization efforts that began in earnest in the 1990s, the number of visitors to Miyama has increased to approximately 700,000 annually, and the town has become renowned for its traditional thatched houses, known under the name of Miyama Kayabuki no Sato. It seems that local residents are now proud of the community where they grew up. However, from an economic standpoint, issues such as low tourism expenditure (per capita) and short length of stay in the area have become apparent. In 2014, Miyama became the sixth town in Japan and the first in the Kinki region to have its Overall Concept for Promoting Ecotourism approved by the ministers of the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. In 2016, the Kyoto Miyama Tourism Association was established as a tourism management organization in Miyama Town and registered as a Japanese DMO corporation. Our efforts over the years have been recognized worldwide, and in December 2021, we were selected as one of the 44 Best Tourism Villages in the world by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). We are promoting tourism initiatives to bring the rich nature, culture, and landscape of Miyama leftF by our predecessors to visitors through experiences and exchanges, and to regard visitors as collaborators in helping to preserve Miyama for the future.
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Nagasaki Prefecture: Developing Villages on Kuroshima Island as a Sustainable World Cultural Heritage Site
30-10-2023
Kuroshima-cho, Sasebo City, saw an increase in the number of tourists after Villages on Kuroshima Island was inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site as one of the component properties of Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region. However, there is a lack of infrastructure such as public restrooms and transportation on the island. As such, efforts are underway to address this situation, such as the promotion of Kuroshima Hospitality Restroom, an initiative taken in cooperation with stores and restaurants on the island to make restrooms in their stores available to tourists, as well as the establishment of Green Slow Mobility, a small mobility service using low-speed electric vehicles to drive on public roads at under 20 km per hour, and electric bikes that allow visitors to relax and enjoy the scenery while preserving the natural environment. With the continuous population decline in recent years remaining unchecked, the aging rate exceeding 50%, and the local economy stagnating, the islanders were concerned about their future. In 1989, a call was made within the island for an organization to hold and manage events such as summer festivals and athletic meets to revitalize the island, leading to the formation of the Kuroshima Women's Association and the Kuroshima Youth Association. Gradually, a sense of hospitality was fostered among the islanders, and in 1998, when Kuroshima Church was designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government, momentum to attract tourists to Kuroshima led to the formation of Kuroshima's first tourist guide organization, the Kuroshima Historic Site Preservation Society.The activities of Kuroshima Historic Site Preservation Society were so well received that the island began to attract an average of around 1,300 visitors each year.
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Shirakawa Village: Balancing landscape Preservation with Use and Resident Lives in Shirakawa-go, a World Heritage Site
30-10-2023
In 2019, Shirakawa Village was visited by about 2.15 million tourists who came to see its group of traditional houses built in the gassho style (with steep thatched roofs) that are inscribed on the World Heritage list. However, these visits are concentrated in certain districts and time periods and lead to problems in the aspects of traffic congestion, rubbish, and toilet use. At the same time, tourism is not making enough of a contribution to the local economy, because a mechanism has not been constructed for generating revenue from tourist spending. Furthermore, the village also faced difficulties in areas such as the district’s sustainability, the aging population, and the increasing shortage of labor. In response, in December 2019, it released its “second comprehensive strategy,” which is a master plan for village development that would make Shirakawa a place in which people would want to continue residing as long as they lived. The strategy posts the development of a sustainable village while maintaining or exceeding the current population as its basic goal. On the tourism front as well, the master plan identifies key performance indicators (KPIs) and policies for tourism. In accordance with this strategy, the village is taking approaches to sustainable community-building utilizing tourism, so that the children of the future will be able to protect and pass on the World Heritage site.
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Naraya Honten: Narazuke Pickles in their Original Form
30-10-2023
Narazuke, as the name suggests, is a specialty of Nara, and is said to have a history of approximately 1,200 to 1,300 years. It is a traditional type of pickle with a unique flavor created by preserving vegetables in sake lees. Nara is also said to be the birthplace of sake, and Narazuke is popular all over Japan as a typical preserved food. Considering the historical background and culture of Narazuke, the company of Naraya Honten strives to produce these pickles in their traditional form: i.e. pickling vegetables harvested in Nara using sake lees produced in Nara sake. The company believes that this will contribute to sustainable tourism in Nara.
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Minamichita Town: Matching the Scale and Continuity of Initiatives What Happened after Continuing an Initiative to Encourage People to Pick Up One Visible Piece of Litter on a Sandy Beach
30-10-2023
Minamichita Town is a tourism destination that attracts 2.5 million visitors annually, especially during the summer season. This town is working to solve the local issues of beach beautification, food loss, and traditional food culture on the Utsumi Coast. The activity guideline for local volunteers and others was simple: Pick up visible litter on a sandy beach. At least once a month, volunteers who love the area's sandy beaches get together and continue their efforts to pick up litter. In the course of doing so, a range of events has been held on these beautiful sandy beaches, attracting attention from people in other areas as well as from the local community. These include creating sand art using a sandy beach with no obstructions as a canvas and making handmade plants with beautiful sand (such as succulent plants). In 2022, the town was selected as one of the Top 100 Green Destinations.
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TOURISTSHIP: touristship Diffusion Project
30-10-2023
Kyoto, where TOURISTSHIP is based, is visited by large numbers of people every year. Some of its residents felt animosity toward visitors, causing conflict between them. When we started interviewing local residents to find out what they thought about visitors, results implied that both sides needed to get closer and be more open to treat each other with consideration, thus we coined the term touristship and are working to promote it with the aim of changing the situation from the way tourist behave.
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Ozu City: Building a Sustainable Tourism City Using Historical Resources
30-10-2023
In the city of Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, a group led by a DMO is making efforts for active use of traditional townhouses (machiya) and old private houses that are historical resources but had become unoccupied. They transformed these into Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town, and thereby assisted the revitalization of vacant housing in the city’s historical area and the preservation of the traditional townscape.
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Kudaka Island, Okinawa Prefecture: Challenges of Kudaka, Island of the Gods, as it Aims to Pass on its Culture to Future Generations
30-10-2023
Kudaka Island in Okinawa Prefecture, an island with a population of only 200 people, was experiencing a variety of problems due to the approximately 60,000 tourists who visit the island annually. In addition, as more and more young people wanted to return to the island, the lack of jobs and housing on the island was becoming a problem. As a solution, we began the challenge of creating a system to preserve the lifestyle and scenery that the islanders wanted to retain and to have tourism support this. Specifically, we worked to spread the benefit of tourism to the economy throughout the island by developing tour programs that would allow visitors to experience the island's diverse local resources. And then, we conducted online surveys with tourists and residents through questionnaires and continue to monitor the situation in the community while everyone is seeing the benefits of these initiatives. Monitoring the local resources and the local economy is a remaining issue.
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Okinawa Prefecture: Sustainable Tourism Destination Management Using Indicators
30-10-2023
In the Fifth Okinawa Basic Plan for Tourism Promotion, formulated in FY2012 , Okinawa Prefecture positioned its future vision for FY2021 as “a world-class tourist resort destination” and established the “Okinawa Tourism Outcome Indicators” with 40 criteria in five areas, including economy, tourists, prefectural residents, environment, and management. In addition, the Sixth Okinawa Basic Plan for Tourism Promotion, formulated in July 2022, specifies the establishment of performance indicators for basic measures and has increased the number of performance criteria from 40 to 85 to promote tourism measures based on more precise indicator management. Furthermore, the Sixth Okinawa Basic Plan for Tourism Promotion clearly defines the future image of Okinawa as a sustainable tourism destination chosen by the world, thereby aiming to create a sustainable tourism destination.
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Yoron, Kagoshima Prefecture: Promotion of Sustainable Astro-tourism
30-10-2023
Yoron Island is located around the latitude said to be the northern limit for seeing the Southern Cross constellation. Because it has a good environment for observing the night sky, the town authorities have been promoting astro-tourism (i.e., stargazing) as a new tourism product. This approach was initially undertaken through a partnership between Yoron Town and the Wakayama University Faculty of Tourism (the two signed a comprehensive partnership agreement on tourism promotion in September 2019). In addition, because astro-tourism is attracting attention as a type of tourism product that contributes to sustainable development of destinations, the town is acting based on the following principles of such development. - Tourism destination development with an equitable distribution of socioeconomic benefit to all stakeholders (training of stargazing guides) - Tourism destination development with consideration for the natural ecosystem (environmental improvement for better stargazing and measures to prevent light pollution) - Tourism destination development that respects the society and culture of the host community (communication and use of the astro-culture through astro-tourism)
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Niseko Town, Hokkaido: Systematization of Sustainable Local Management through Tourism
30-10-2023
Niseko Town has been featured in the media as a leading snow resort destination for inbound tourism, and the number of visitors from overseas has increased year annually. In fact, in fiscal year 2018 , overseas visitors accounted for approximately 40% of the total number of overnight stays in Niseko. However, the global outbreak of COVID-19 caused serious damage to the local economy, including the tourism industry, and this marked a major turning point in the town's rethinking of the very nature of its tourism. Niseko has long been practicing sustainable urban development as an Environmental Model City and SDGs Future City, and has formulated the Niseko Town Tourism Promotion Vision with the aim of promoting sustainable tourism throughout the region to become a destination of choice for the post-COVID-19 era.
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Kyoto City: Initiatives for Sustainable Regional Management Utilizing Tourism Prompted by the Formulation of a Tourism Promotion Plan
30-10-2023
Kyoto City received many tourists from Japan and abroad as one of the world's leading tourist destinations. However, around 2014, overtourism and tourist etiquette became apparent problems. In addition, a shortage of cultural leaders, the decline of local communities and other issues were also on the rise. In 2021, the Kyoto Tourism Promotion Plan 2025 was formulated with the vision of enabling sustainable tourism that contributes to enriching the lives of citizens, solving regional and social issues, achieving the SDGs, and responding to various crises such as infectious diseases and disasters, as well as environmental issues. Many stakeholders have been involved in the planning process, and it is expected that sustainable regional management will be achieved by further expanding the range of participants and target policy areas.
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TOURISTSHIP: touristship Diffusion Project
19-10-2023
Kyoto, where TOURISTSHIP is based, is visited by large numbers of people every year. Some of its residents felt animosity toward visitors, causing conflict between them. When we started interviewing local residents to find out what they thought about visitors, results implied that both sides needed to get closer and be more open to treat each other with consideration, thus we coined the term touristship and are working to promote it with the aim of changing the situation from the way tourist behave.
See More
Kudaka Island, Okinawa Prefecture: Challenges of Kudaka, Island of the Gods, as it Aims to Pass on its Culture to Future Generations
19-10-2023
Kudaka Island in Okinawa Prefecture, an island with a population of only 200 people, was experiencing a variety of problems due to the approximately 60,000 tourists who visit the island annually. In addition, as more and more young people wanted to return to the island, the lack of jobs and housing on the island was becoming a problem. As a solution, we began the challenge of creating a system to preserve the lifestyle and scenery that the islanders wanted to retain and to have tourism support this. Specifically, we worked to spread the benefit of tourism to the economy throughout the island by developing tour programs that would allow visitors to experience the island's diverse local resources. And then, we conducted online surveys with tourists and residents through questionnaires and continue to monitor the situation in the community while everyone is seeing the benefits of these initiatives. Monitoring the local resources and the local economy is a remaining issue.
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Kudaka Island, Okinawa Prefecture: Challenges of Kudaka, Island of the Gods, as it Aims to Pass on its Culture to Future Generations
19-10-2023
Kudaka Island in Okinawa Prefecture, an island with a population of only 200 people, was experiencing a variety of problems due to the approximately 60,000 tourists who visit the island annually. In addition, as more and more young people wanted to return to the island, the lack of jobs and housing on the island was becoming a problem. As a solution, we began the challenge of creating a system to preserve the lifestyle and scenery that the islanders wanted to retain and to have tourism support this. Specifically, we worked to spread the benefit of tourism to the economy throughout the island by developing tour programs that would allow visitors to experience the island's diverse local resources. And then, we conducted online surveys with tourists and residents through questionnaires and continue to monitor the situation in the community while everyone is seeing the benefits of these initiatives. Monitoring the local resources and the local economy is a remaining issue.
See More
Nagasaki Prefecture: Developing Villages on Kuroshima Island as a Sustainable World Cultural Heritage Site
19-10-2023
Kuroshima-cho, Sasebo City, saw an increase in the number of tourists after Villages on Kuroshima Island was inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site as one of the component properties of Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region. However, there is a lack of infrastructure such as public restrooms and transportation on the island. As such, efforts are underway to address this situation, such as the promotion of Kuroshima Hospitality Restroom, an initiative taken in cooperation with stores and restaurants on the island to make restrooms in their stores available to tourists, as well as the establishment of Green Slow Mobility, a small mobility service using low-speed electric vehicles to drive on public roads at under 20 km per hour, and electric bikes that allow visitors to relax and enjoy the scenery while preserving the natural environment. With the continuous population decline in recent years remaining unchecked, the aging rate exceeding 50%, and the local economy stagnating, the islanders were concerned about their future. In 1989, a call was made within the island for an organization to hold and manage events such as summer festivals and athletic meets to revitalize the island, leading to the formation of the Kuroshima Women's Association and the Kuroshima Youth Association. Gradually, a sense of hospitality was fostered among the islanders, and in 1998, when Kuroshima Church was designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government, momentum to attract tourists to Kuroshima led to the formation of Kuroshima's first tourist guide organization, the Kuroshima Historic Site Preservation Society. The activities of Kuroshima Historic Site Preservation Society were so well received that the island began to attract an average of around 1,300 visitors each year. When the island was selected as a candidate for World Heritage nomination in 2014 for Kuroshima Church, one of the components of Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki, the number of
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Kyoto City: Initiatives for Sustainable Regional Management Utilizing Tourism Prompted by the Formulation of a Tourism Promotion Plan
19-10-2023
Kyoto City received many tourists from Japan and abroad as one of the world's leading tourist destinations. However, around 2014, overtourism and tourist etiquette became apparent problems. In addition, a shortage of cultural leaders, the decline of local communities and other issues were also on the rise. In 2021, the Kyoto Tourism Promotion Plan 2025 was formulated with the vision of enabling sustainable tourism that contributes to enriching the lives of citizens, solving regional and social issues, achieving the SDGs, and responding to various crises such as infectious diseases and disasters, as well as environmental issues. Many stakeholders have been involved in the planning process, and it is expected that sustainable regional management will be achieved by further expanding the range of participants and target policy areas.
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Japan Urushi Forestry + Kintsugi Workshop - A Drop of Lacquer is a Drop of Life
05-10-2023
In the serene heart of Japan, where tradition meets nature's beauty, we unveil a remarkable opportunity that celebrates the artistry of kintsugi and urushi lacquer forestry. After a year of dedicated effort and collaboration with the rural town of Daigo, we announce our first annual Japan travel experience workshop: Experience Urushi Forestry + Kintsugi, scheduled from December 6th to 9th, 2023, amidst the Urushi forest of Daigo, Japan. Venture beyond the often-trodden route of Tokyo and Kyoto. While dubbed 'golden' by some, it comes with significant downsides. It's not so good when Mount Fuji is becoming "Like Disneyland!" (CNN Travel Report "Mount Fuji in trouble: How Japan’s highest peak fell victim to overtourism" 9/10/2023) At Taketombo and Goenne.com, our mission has always been to venture beyond the bustling streets of Tokyo and the historic temples of Kyoto. We aim to address the challenges posed by over-tourism and foster greater interest and economic vitality in Japan's equally significant rural towns. Hidden away, Daigo lies in Ibaraki Prefecture, just 100 miles north of Tokyo. Here, a close-knit community of lacquer foresters tirelessly preserves a trade of utmost importance: the cultivation of home-grown urushi lacquer, a resource that fulfills only 3% of the industry's demand. (Read our webpage* Restart from 3%") This labor-intensive, low-yield process has been abandoned by newer generations, yet a dedicated group of artisans remains resolute in protecting their agricultural wisdom and skills, ensuring the production of exceptionally high-quality urushi lacquer, a symbol of Japan's pride. Our goal is to bring their remarkable work to the world stage, unveiling the untold stories and under-appreciated craftsmanship that reside in the heart of Daigo. And bring new economic activities to this small community in need to sustain their craft legacy. Travel to support this small community of urushi foresters.
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Sustainable and Digital Tourism Transformation - Pilot Project
29-09-2023
 Our pilot project for digital transformation in tourism is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting sustainable tourism through innovation and collaboration. In alignment with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, we have ambitious objectives and core areas to enhance the tourist experience, promote ecological and social sustainability, and forge global partnerships.   Core Objectives of the Project: 
  • Enhancing Tourist Experiences: We encourage the widespread use of mobile destination apps to provide tourists with a customized experience. 
  • Management Optimization: We utilize visitor data to optimize management strategies and create tailored offerings. 
  • Empowering Cultural Institutions: We promote visitor engagement and strengthen cultural identity through digital solutions. 
  • Digitalization of Hiking Trails: We support eco-tourism and foster a deeper connection to nature by digitizing hiking trails. 
  • Supporting Small Providers: We increase the visibility of small providers of cultural activities and local guides. 
  • Gastronomy Growth: We stimulate the growth of local gastronomy and culinary tours through enhanced visibility. 
  • Regional Marketing: We strategically promote regions to support infrastructure development and economic growth. 
  • Sustainable Solutions: We focus on social and ecological sustainability through seamless digital ticketing solutions. 
  •  Eco-Awareness: We promote environmental consciousness by providing tourists with information, including transportation data and emission values.
  • Conservation: We contribute to nature conservation by offering informative resources about protected areas and conservation measures.
  • Integrated Data Ecosystem: We establish an integrated data ecosystem benefiting tourists, service providers, and tourism organizations.
  • Efficiency Enhancement: We optimize administrative processes to facilitate efficient data collection and management. 
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Digital Tourism Transformation Pilot Project: Unlocking Sustainable Tourism through Innovation and Collaboration
19-09-2023
Description of the Initiative: Our pilot project for digital transformation in tourism is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting sustainable tourism through innovation and collaboration. In alignment with the (SDGs) of the United Nations, we have ambitious objectives and core areas to enhance the tourist experience, promote ecological and social sustainability, and forge global partnerships. Core Objectives of the Project: (SDG 8/9/10/11/12/13)/(SDG 15)/(SDG 17) -Enhancing Tourist Experiences: We encourage the widespread use of mobile destination apps to provide tourists with a customized experience. -Management Optimization: We utilize visitor data to optimize management strategies and create tailored offerings. -Empowering Cultural Institutions: We promote visitor engagement and strengthen cultural identity through digital solutions. -Digitalization of Hiking Trails: We support ecotourism and foster a deeper connection to nature by digitizing hiking trails. -Supporting Small Providers: We increase the visibility of small providers of cultural activities and local guides. -Gastronomy Growth: We stimulate the growth of local gastronomy and culinary tours through enhanced visibility. -Regional Marketing: We strategically promote regions to support infrastructure development and economic growth. -Sustainable Solutions: We focus on social and ecological sustainability through seamless digital ticketing solutions. -Eco-Awareness: We promote environmental consciousness by providing tourists with info, including transportation data and emission values. -Conservation: We contribute to nature conservation by offering informative resources about protected areas and conservation measures. -Integrated Data Ecosystem: We establish an integrated data ecosystem benefiting tourists, service providers, and tourism organizations. -Efficiency Enhancement: We optimize administrative processes to facilitate efficient data collection and management.
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Travel for LiFE – A Program under Mission LiFE for Tourism Sector
04-09-2023
Under India’s G20 Presidency, the Tourism Working Group (TWG) has identified five priority areas – Green Tourism, Digitalization, Skills, Tourism MSMEs, and Destination Management, with the aim to transform the tourism sector towards a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive future for all. In view of this, the Ministry of Tourism has launched the Travel for LiFE (TFL) as a sector program under Mission LiFE during the third G20 TWG meeting held in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi Leaders' Declaration also noted the launch of "Travel for LiFE" and supported the development of smart destinations that are responsible and sustainable. The program was further launched as a Global Program on the World Tourism Day 2023. TFL program has been envisaged to create awareness about sustainable tourism and to nudge tourists and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable practices synchronous with nature. The program has identified eight themes to address various aspects of sustainability: Save Energy, Save Water, Say No to Single-Use Plastic, Reduce Waste, Empower Local Businesses and Communities, Respect Local Culture and Heritage, Consumer Local Foods and Conserve Natural Heritage. The program has launched an illustrative list of 40 Travel for Life Actions for Tourists and Travel for LiFE Certification for Tourism Businesses aims to mainstream sustainability into the tourism sector towards developing a sustainable, responsible and resilient tourism sector. TFL program holds tremendous significance for promoting India’s G20 priority of Green Tourism and Digitization under TWG. The TFL program aspires to position India as a preferred global destination for sustainable and responsible tourism as well as contribute to the Mission LiFE targets towards global commitment to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Tourism and Technology Summit Africa
24-08-2023
In this digital age, talking about traveling and tourism brings to mind how convenient technologies have made everything easier for us. From booking to check-out, everything is technological based. Artificial intelligence in the tourism and travel sector has already created a hugely significant change. With Tourism 5.0, we are going to experience the best of travel and tourism. Tourism 5.0 is another term for the same trend of growing use of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Sustainable energy, and other high-tech computer technologies to generate demand and improve services for consumers across different industries. Personalized travel experiences are created using technology in tourism from start to finish.. The African Travel and tourism sector would need to disrupt to become competitive globally.
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Exploring Rwanda Gorilla Tours, Conservation, and Community Tourism
26-07-2023
Nestled between the bustling cities of Kigali and Rubavu, lies the town of Musanze, a remarkable destination that holds both natural wonders and a vibrant community-driven conservation initiative. A must-visit stop on any traveller’s itinerary, Musanze offers a unique blend of wildlife, culture, and sustainable development efforts cantered around the iconic Mountain gorillas residing in the nearby Volcanoes National Park. For those seeking an up-close encounter with these magnificent creatures while also making a positive impact on the local community, the Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development is an organization worth exploring. Committed to transforming the lives of reformed poachers and neighbouring communities, the village serves as a platform to showcase Rwanda's rich traditional culture through various activities like traditional dance and pottery. The focus on community tourism is evident in how it aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By engaging in responsible tourism practices, visitors not only support the conservation of the gorillas and their natural habitat but also contribute to the economic growth and well-being of the local populace. Another significant institution advancing the cause of gorilla conservation and research is the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. This campus has vastly expanded the capacity for teaching and research, allowing scholars to gain invaluable insights into gorilla behaviour and their critical forest ecosystem. To further appreciate the symbiotic relationship between conservation efforts and community development, the Red Rocks arts for conservation gallery is a must-visit destination. Showcasing a captivating array of conservation-themed artwork, cultural artefacts, and handicrafts, the gallery plays a vital role in empowering local women groups and youth in the Virunga massif region.
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25-07-2023
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HLPF 2023 Official Side Event: Economic, Social and Environmental Sustainability in Tourism
06-07-2023
The Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Croatia in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), organized this in-person side event with the support of the Ministry of Tourism of India, Chair of the G20 Tourism Committee Presidency, to showcase how partnerships across multilateral, public, private, and academic sectors are actively contributing to fulfilling tourism's potential in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).    The official side event took place in conjunction with the 2023 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development.
  • Date :14th July 2023 at 13:15-14:30
  • Venue: Conference Room 3, United Nations Headquarters in New York. 
The side event aims to foster a collective understanding of the importance of sustainable tourism and its potential for promoting the SDGs. Key outcomes include: 
  • Enhanced awareness of the need for resilient tourism practices and sustainable recovery strategies. 
  • Promotion of inclusive approaches that empower women and youth in the tourism sector. 
  • Showcasing how the private sector can advance towards effective sustainability actions that can be measured and reported in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)  
  • Successful partnerships and collaborations that demonstrate the transformative power of tourism in achieving the SDGs. 
  • Emphasis on the role of data and measurement in tracking progress and ensuring the alignment of tourism initiatives with broader policy objectives. 
  • Inspire common action between the public and private sector for the tourism sector to achieve real sustainability by focusing on the social, environmental and governance aspects in tourism; and
  • Present the results and lessons learnt from the joint UNWTO – JICA Achieving the SDGs through tourism - Toolkit of Indicators for Projects (TIPs)
This side event served  as a platform for meaningful discussions and the exchange of ideas to promote sustainable recovery, advance innovative solutions, and strengthen the role of tourism in achieving the SDGs. Watch the event recording  here 
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Red Rocks Cuisines of Rwanda
21-06-2023
Red Rocks Intercultural centre immerse you in the cuisines of Rwanda and its tremendous impact on the cuisines of great lakes region. Imagine arriving at the Redrocks intercultural exchange centre for a lunch that you will help prepare yourself. Expect to be welcomed by a joyful drumming and dancing community experience which will always live in your memory. You’ll learn how, and explore our cooking lessons involving mainly Rwandese dishes in an African cuisine and in an African Kitchen - With a range of fresh crops; our ingredients for Rwanda cuisine are diverse even though certain foods are common to many regions. Ground maize or corn (called 'sweet corn' in the UK) is used as the basis for many meals. Maize flour is cooked with boiling water to form a stiff porridge (called ugali in Swahili or Kaunga in Kinyarwanda). Create, taste, and experience the cuisines of Rwanda through our local culinary courses that will acquaint you with the history of the Rwanda. Sometimes it's made into dough. This starchy staple is served with sauces or stews as well as different fresh vegetables like Cabbage, carrots, spinach and other traditional greens. You get to join our staff in the kitchen as you explore the varieties of food grown from our farm behind the main building. Get your hands dirty; it’s fun!! If you haven’t cried in a long time the smoke from the kitchen will give you a chance to if you are not swift in keeping the wood together to keep the flames burning. Enjoy the meal outside in the sun or at the dining area as you chat with the locals.
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Africa Traveltech Summit & Expo 2023
21-06-2023
SNG Events is organizing the Africa Traveltech Summit & Expo on 26th - 27th September 2023 in Nairobi,Kenya At Emara Ole Sereni Hotel. The Africa Traveltech Summit & Expo serves to connect Travel Agencies, Tour Operators, Destination Management Companies, Hotels, Airlines and other travel Industry stakeholders with High quality technology solutions. In an easy process Travelers need to book their travel activities and be personalized. Travel Industry stakeholders will travel to Nairobi for the Africa Traveltech Summit & Expo to learn new tech solutions to easy their operations and enhance customer experience.
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RED ROCKS SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMUNITY ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION
08-06-2023
Red Rocks located in Musanze, a part of the northern district of Rwanda continues to pioneer improving standards of living for communities around the Virunga national park through its grassroots approach to creating sustainable opportunities that empowers women and the youth through CBT programs thus ensuring intervention in job creation opportunities. Globally, quality skills development has been directly linked to youth employment and sustainable economic development and in fact, relevant skills and competencies and access to jobs can help accelerate the progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, resulting in economic empowerment for all. Together with its community cooperative partners, Red Rocks https://www.redrocksinitiative.org/about-us/ aims to create jobs and strengthen its employment promotion approach among women and the youth through capacity development, vocational skills empowerment and training to enhance the quality of labour supply while positively contributing to raising labour demand, our community development programs are now specifically focusing on the economic empowerment of women plus the youths, ensuring inclusivity and environmental sustainability. Our areas of intervention include an arts and crafts conservation program that focuses on traditional Rwandan crafts such as basket weaving, pottery, and beadwork. The program provides training in these skills, as well as business and marketing skills, to help participants turn their crafts into a sustainable source of income. This program has had a significant impact on the lives of the participants, particularly women and youth, who are often marginalized and face limited opportunities in education and employment. By providing training and employment opportunities, Red Rocks is helping to empower women and youth by providing technical workshops in culinary arts or sewing plus pottery training.
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Trailblazer in community-based tourism in Rwanda.
04-04-2023
Greg Bakunzi is a renowned pioneer and trailblazer in community-based tourism in East Africa. He grew up under extremely challenging conditions in a Ugandan refugee camp and had only little access to formal education. In 1998, once peace was slowly returning to the region after the 1994 genocide, he decided to follow his heart and to move to his native Rwanda. Passionate about tourism, culture, and development, he became a local guide for visitors who were interested in the infamous mountain gorillas. Realizing the vast potential of community-based tourism to contribute to poverty reduction, he founded the Ruhengeri Community Ecotourism Association as well as tour operator Amahoro Tours. His projects attracted rapidly increasing numbers of visitors and, as a result, he was able to create jobs for local people and to bring economic benefits to the surrounding communities. While his initial focus was on northern Rwanda and the communities surrounding Volcanoes National Park, he later launched further responsible ecotourism initiatives also in other parts of the country, including Nyungwe National Park. This work culminated in the creation of Red Rocks Rwanda (www.redrocksrwanda.com) and the Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development (www.redrocksinitiative.org).
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UNWTO STUDENTS' LEAGUE-BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
30-03-2023
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina are launching the 2023 UNWTO Students’ league Registration is now open for the Teams of High School Students (14 to 18) or Undergraduate Tourism and Hospitality Students – up to 25 years old from Bosnia and Herzegovina from the 27 March and will close 16 April 2023. The young people from all over the country of Bosnia and Herzergovina, now have the opportunity to work on the challenge “Off the beaten track” rural development through tourism, through the “Building Relations for intercultural Dialogue (BRIDGE) Project” - that counts on the financial support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and is implemented and co-financed by the United Nations Development Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNDP BiH) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH. With the aim to create a networking environment that will enable cultural connections between students, governments and companies, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s upcoming talented Youth will learn more from national and international representatives of tourism industry, experts and other major stakeholders about the latest best-practices in Rural Development through Tourism over numerous inspiring online learning sessions, in order to provide the best solutions for the UNWTO’s challenge. The Team members will also come aboard to work on a special joint project on how Tourism can contribute to a better understanding of the different cultures and thus foster peace. To find out more and to register, visit our website https://www.unwto.org/students-league-bosnia-herzegovina
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Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals. The role of Latin American universities: Results, progress and new challenges
07-03-2023
Universidad del Salvador (USAL), Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos (UADER), both from Argentina, and Universidade Federal de Santa María (UFSM) Brazil, are part of a research network on issues related to tourism, environment and sustainable development. In this framework, they carried out the project: “Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals: The role of Latin American universities”. The purpose of this research has been to analyse the contribution of the universities in the production, development of knowledge and training at both undergraduate and postgraduate level in the field of tourism in relation to the 2030 Agenda and its Goals. The project was directed by Claudia Toselli (USAL, Argentina), co-directed by Luciana Davi Traverso (UFSM, Brasil), with the participation of the following researchers: Andrea Takáts (UADER), Adriana Ten Hoeve (USAL), Tiago Zardin Patias (UFSM), Caroline Ciliane Ceretta (UFSM), Irene Aguer (UADER), Marcelo Ribeiro (UFSM), María Martha Lucano (USAL) and Almyr Godoy (UFSM). The preliminary final results of the project were presented at the Satellite Event "Turismo e Objetivos de Desenvolvemento " in the framework of the 37th Integrated Academic Conference - UFSM, on November 9, 2022. The event was delivered in Spanish and Portuguese, and was held in hybrid mode. Based on the results obtained from the application of a survey applied to university tourism degree courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level in Argentina and Brazil, it was found that, although the topic of sustainability is included in every tourism courses, there is still no evidence of a concrete application of the 2030 Agenda, implemented by the SDGs, its 17 goals and 169 targets.
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Examining an inclusive social tourism: Practices in Turkey
07-03-2023
This research analysed an inclusive social tourism camp in Turkey and introduced its principles to the literature. The motive of the research was examining how tourism can be a tool for the inclusion of disabled children and individuals into the society. But more importantly, it examined an example of entrepreneurship that pursues a social change by using voluntary tourism and social tourism as a tool to break social taboos with a voluntary workforce. The university supporting the research was Boğaziçi University and the sample association that the research was based on is the Alternative Life Association. Although the results of this research and its place in the literature can be found in the articles in the attached link, the underlining issue should be the philosophical discussion put forward by this article. This discussion is the necessity to audit to what extent social tourism or similar tourism activities operating in good faith are open to social inclusion and to what extent they aim for social change. Is every practice under the name of social tourism today inclusive enough for individuals to take part in it comfortably? The social tourism triangle, which is the most important research result presented by this research institution, can offer three different topics to this discussion. The first of these is the evaluation of the accessibility of institutions or activities in terms of price, transport and access to information. The second one is whether the organisation is open to diversity. The third topic of discussion is inclusiveness. Inclusiveness generally ranges from the ability of individuals to take a main role in organised activities without any difficulties and to participate freely in individual activities, to practices that can include different groups with high integration and diversity. The biggest contribution of this research is to put forward the principles of social/accessible tourism to achieve a real social impact.
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UN Careers Livestream for university students and recent alumni
21-02-2023
Join us for an hour-long live webinar open to all current university students and recent alumni who want to learn more about professional opportunities at the United Nations. You will be able to hear from successful candidates and learn more about different entry points to a career with the UN. Join us for these special presentations on job opportunities that make a difference in the world and the value of adding the UN to your career journey. Date: 22 February 2023 Time: 8:00 am - 9:00 am (EST) Audience: The webinar is designed for recent or upcoming graduates who are passionate about making a difference in the world. Candidates who are multilingual, have international experience, or backgrounds in multiple sectors are highly encouraged to join. Instructions: Completing this form is the first step to receive an email invitation to join us LIVE or receive a recording after the event. It should take no more than 5 minutes to register. Please note this event will be conducted in English. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. By registering for this webinar, you submit your information to the webinar organizer, who will use it to communicate with you regarding this event and other opportunities. Your personal information shall not be used, divulged, or shared with any party outside the webinar organizer. General anonymized data may be used to present recruitment and outreach trends for internal and external audiences via infographics, videos or other formats.
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Advancing Youth Inclusion in Multilateral Spheres: Exploring the Impact of Ageism and Sexism CSocD61 Side Event
13-02-2023
The side event, convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Major Group for Children and Youth, UN Women, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, and UNESCO, aims to examine the intersection of ageism and sexism in multilateral spheres and explore how intergenerational dialogue and the use of innovative tools and approaches, such as peer-to-peer models, storytelling, gamification, and the integration of technology and digital education, can advance inclusion and meaningful participation of young people in these decision-making processes. A special focus will be placed on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. The event will provide a platform for young people and women to share their experiences and perspectives on the challenges they face in multilateral processes and explore potential solutions through interactive sessions Side Event convened by UN DESA, UN Women, UNESCO, UNOCT and MGCY on the margins of the 61st Commission for Social Development (CSocD)

14 February 2023, 8:30 - 10:00 AM (EST) Via Zoom https://unwomen.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkdu2qrjgsE9LBLI9UbVejI7yG9lYuXIjj

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MUSANZE WILDLIFE FILMMAKING & MEDIA TRAINING CENTER
23-12-2022
David McGowan, Ravenswood Media, and Greg Bakunzi- Red Rocks Initiative, have partnered together to build a media training center in Musanze, Rwanda at the foot of the Volcanoes National Park. McGowan, an Academy Award nominated filmmaker, coming together with the team at Red Rocks to provides basic filmmaking training. The course is free and the first cohort of eight (8) students in August, 2022 at the Red Rocks compound got involved in a variety of filmmaking skills and practice in natural areas like filming in robust populations of wildlife The expedition in film using basic production equipment gave the participants exposure and after the course Mcgown left Apple laptop with the current Final Cut Pro app. African rangers, trackers and guides have a very close relationship with wildlife. as they diligently observe wildlife in its natural environment. These observations are critical to a more expansive understanding of wildlife behaviour and health. Yet, African rangers, trackers and guides lack the training and access to equipment to record and document the observations that are essential to science and wildlife management.Most African wildlife in media is widely acclaimed but from a Western point of view. So there is a need to provide Black Africans with the tools to give voice to their perspectives on nature and the environment. New voices are needed to confront the major environmental crises affecting the Earth. Climate change, loss of biodiversity, infectious disease, population growth, urbanization and habitat losses are just a few examples of the challenges facing humanity. It is important to provide basic film production skills so that Africans can add their voices to the discussion. Conservation professionals are often isolated due to the nature of their working conditions and it is the goal of this partnership to provide the means for African wildlife professionals to create and disseminate films that represent their point of view on conservation issues
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EPIK PERSONS WITH DISABILITY ADVENTURE
22-12-2022
This is a special interest person-centered, community-aligned, empowerment-inspired, transformation-oriented and sustainability-minded. Responsibility, values creation, impact and purpose-driven World Tourism Day celebration self-esteem and confidence building intercultural, interpersonal, inclusion, equality, integration, equity, accessibility and diversity management. Charitable, humanitarian, civic, public, social, humanitarian, livelihoods nourishment, networking, educational, awareness, advocacy and activism event. Planned, organized, actualized and amplified free of charge on World Tourism Day to create and provide a unique platform to engage, support, motivate, entertain, rejuvenate and impact Persons Living with Disability and Special Needs in Ghana. One of the most vulnerable, marginalized, underprivileged, deprived, under-served, disadvantaged and minority groups in Ghana. Who much too-often, are taken for granted, neglected or ignored segment within communities and society. And regrettably, are predominantly confined to the periphery of social, cultural, community, family and households. Economic, political, civic, public, fundamental human rights and developmental structures to also, thrive. By providing and engaging them in a variety of sustainable transformation, empowerment, self-esteem and confidence building intercultural, interpersonal, inclusion, equality, integration, equity, accessibility and diversity management. Charitable, humanitarian, civic, public, social, livelihoods nourishment, networking, educational, awareness, advocacy and activism experiences, activities, services, courtesies and assistance. Including free special interest domestic, community, local, countryside, eco and rural tour, field trip, sightseeing and excursion. Adventure, outdoors, recreation, leisure, pleasure, educational, sportive, healthy, active living and lifestyles. Food, water, drinks, music and entertainment.
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EPIK PERSONS WITH DISABILITY ADVENTURE
21-12-2022
This is a special interest person-centered, community-aligned, empowerment-inspired, transformation-oriented and sustainability-minded. Responsibility, values creation, impact and purpose-driven World Tourism Day celebration self-esteem and confidence building intercultural, interpersonal, inclusion, equality, integration, equity, accessibility and diversity management. Charitable, humanitarian, civic, public, social, humanitarian, livelihoods nourishment, networking, educational, awareness, advocacy and activism event. Planned, organized, actualized and amplified free of charge on World Tourism Day to create and provide a unique platform to engage, support, motivate, entertain, rejuvenate and impact Persons Living with Disability and Special Needs in Ghana. One of the most vulnerable, marginalized, underprivileged, deprived, under-served, disadvantaged and minority groups in Ghana. Who much too-often, are taken for granted, neglected or ignored segment within communities and society. And regrettably, are predominantly confined to the periphery of social, cultural, community, family and households. Economic, political, civic, public, fundamental human rights and developmental structures to also, thrive. By providing and engaging them in a variety of sustainable transformation, empowerment, self-esteem and confidence building intercultural, interpersonal, inclusion, equality, integration, equity, accessibility and diversity management. Charitable, humanitarian, civic, public, social, livelihoods nourishment, networking, educational, awareness, advocacy and activism experiences, activities, services, courtesies and assistance. Including free special interest domestic, community, local, countryside, eco and rural tour, field trip, sightseeing and excursion. Adventure, outdoors, recreation, leisure, pleasure, educational, sportive, healthy, active living and lifestyles. Food, water, drinks, music and entertainment.
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Be part of Red Rocks Initiative for sustainable development to Conservation efforts around Virunga cross-boundary for the purpose of promoting tourism in the region,
13-12-2022
Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development is a non-profit organization that operates and around Virunga volcano mountain region of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic. Its vision is to integrate tourism, conservation and community empowerment for sustainable development in the region. In order achieve this, the communities around the region are encouraged to take part in environmental conservation activities which at the end brings them positive impact, particularly uplifting their living standards which encourages them to have motivation to help in environmental conservation. The Initiative provides volunteering programs to travellers who wish to make positive impacts to local communities in different areas like foreign language and new skills acquisition, women and youth empowerment programs, and conservation and community development activities among others. The Initiative also promotes social and economic programs like healthy and sanitation, personal hygiene, sports for conservation, arts for conservation and modern farming techniques as well as promotion of cultural activities like dancing, music, handicrafts activities, which all leads to promotion of tourism, conservation and at the end improves local community livelihoods. When visiting the region in particular Musanze district, your highly welcome at least for one day to check out the initiative’s programs and find a appropriate way/solution for you, and even your group to volunteer, donating or helping support those important programs meant to conserve our environmental and in turn has an impact to community livelihood as result of Red Rocks Initiative developmental programs,
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rurAllure H2020 project: promotion of rural museums and heritage sites in the vicinity of European pilgrimage routes
13-12-2022
Horizon 2020 project, funded by the European Commission, promotes cultural heritage in the vicinity of historic pilgrimage routes and facilitates economic and social impact of sustainable tourism in rural areas. The project started on 1 January 2021 and has a duration of 36 months, while its main phases include identification of pilot areas and relevant heritage sites, definition of common and communication strategies in each pilot area, and design and promotion of a technological platform. The rurAllure works on the identification and promotion of cultural heritage, located along the historic ways in four pilot areas (Santiago de Compostela, Via Francigena, Via Romea Germanica, Via Romea Strata, St. Olav Ways and Way of Mary), with a focus on its rural and less touristic parts. Mapping heritage landmarks along the pilgrimage routes, the project develops a digital repository of cultural points of interest which guides hikers and pilgrims along the routes and helps them to discover heritage without significantly deviating from the original route. The project contributes to 17 Sustainable Development Goals with emphasis on SDG n.3, n.8, n.9, n.11, n.13, n.17. In particular, it adds value to local economies, extracting benefits from responsible use of heritage and creating well-being with the least amount of environmental harm. As 80% of the trails’ territory lie in rural areas, the project provides a favourable environment for tourism enterprises in provincial localities, empowers local communities, promotes local culture and products. In addition, it valorises healthy lifestyle and reduces the risk of acquiring various diseases such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Walking or cycling in the natural surroundings together with fellow ramblers helps to stimulate mental health and socialisation, reduce the risk of depression, and improve sleep quality and self-esteem.
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Via Francigena – strengthening walking tourism along the cultural routes
13-12-2022
The Via Francigena is one of the most popular pilgrimage routes in the world, spanning centuries of history and stretching along 3200 kilometres in the UK, France, Switzerland and Italy. In 1994, the route was awarded 'Cultural Route of the Council of Europe' status in recognition of its role in promoting common European values. The European Association of the Via Francigena ways (EAVF) acts as a promoter and policy-maker of the route and organises its activities in line with 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Today, especially in the post-pandemic context, where walking tourism is as ever an important tool of sustainable tourism development, it produces positive impact in the following dimensions: Environmental impact. Pilgrimage tourism refers to walking and cycling activity, which means consuming no fuel and leaving a smaller carbon footprint compared to other types of travel. As part of its promotional activities the EAVF pays special attention to valorisation of responsible tourism, safeguarding biodiversity and local environment. Economic impact. The Via Francigena route connects major urban centres with rural areas. The economic benefits generated by increasing flows of pilgrims are spread throughout the entire itinerary, creating income opportunities and improving the quality of life of local communities along the route. The EAVF and partners coordinate to maximise the economic impact and shift attention away from overcrowded tourist destinations to lesser known but culturally rich regions. Socio-cultural impact. As part of the Council of Europe's framework of Cultural Routes, the Via Francigena promotes intercultural understanding and tolerance, strengthens social cohesion and dialogue by transmitting the values of human rights, cultural diversity and mutual exchange across borders. It brings together walking enthusiasts from all over the world, encourages them to discover new cultures, connect with local people, share experiences and stories.
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03-11-2022
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Be part of Red Rocks Initiative for sustainable development to Conservation efforts around Virunga cross-boundary for the purpose of promoting tourism in the region,
03-11-2022
Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development is a non-profit organization that operates and around Virunga volcano mountain region of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic. Its vision is to integrate tourism, conservation and community empowerment for sustainable development in the region. In order to achieve this, the communities around the region are encouraged to take part in environmental conservation activities which at the end brings them positive impact, particularly uplifting their living standards which encourages them to have motivation to help in environmental conservation. The Initiative provides volunteering programs to travellers who wish to make positive impacts to local communities in different areas like foreign language and new skills acquisition, women and youth empowerment programs, and conservation and community development activities among others. The Initiative also promotes social and economic programs like healthy and sanitation, personal hygiene, sports for conservation, arts for conservation and modern farming techniques as well as promotion of cultural activities like dancing, music, handicrafts activities, which all leads to promotion of tourism, conservation and at the end improves local community livelihoods. When visiting the region in particular Musanze district, your highly welcome at least for one day to check out the initiative’s programs and find an appropriate way/solution for you, and even your group to volunteer, donating or helping support those important programs meant to conserve our environmental and in turn has an impact to community livelihood as result of Red Rocks Initiative developmental programs
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Curso a distancia en Turismo Sostenible y Desarrollo Local en Áreas Rurales
27-10-2022
La OIT considera el turismo como un importante motor para un desarrollo socioeconómico inclusivo y para la reducción de la pobreza. Dada su capacidad de generar empleo directo y su efecto multiplicador en otros sectores como la agricultura, la manufactura, la construcción y el transporte, el turismo puede contribuir a la diversificación económica y al desarrollo local especialmente en las zonas rurales. Todas las previsiones señalan que el turismo de proximidad se recuperará antes que los viajes internacionales. Por ello, la reactivación del turismo en las áreas rurales es especialmente estratégica: genera beneficios para este tipo de comunidades en el corto plazo mientras se recuperan los efectos del COVID-19, y permite a largo plazo, la construcción de un modelo de turismo más sostenible e inclusivo, en la línea de la Agenda 2030 y los ODS. El curso está dirigido a responsables políticos, técnicos superiores y actores socioeconómicos claves del desarrollo del turismo que desarrollen sus actividades en instituciones públicas y privadas, en organizaciones de la sociedad civil o de la cooperación internacional relacionadas con el tema del curso. Los temas a tratar serán, en líneas generales: -El turismo como motor de desarrollo local sostenible -La construcción de la oferta turística del territorio -El marketing y la gestión de los destinos turísticos en áreas rurales -Desarrollo de cadenas de valor para el crecimiento inclusivo del sector turístico Por último, el diseño de un proyecto de desarrollo local basado en el turismo y aplicable en el propio territorio, es el producto final del curso más valorado por los participantes. Para más información y contacto: turismosostenible@itcilo.org
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Atabo David Tourism and Hospitality Education Initiative for Kogi State Youths in Nigeria
15-10-2022
Investment in tourism education, with strong attention to teens and young people in indigenous communities, is a significant way to #RethinkingTourism. I am excited to launch my Tourism Education Promotion initiative in my hometown of Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria. Through ComeMakeWeGo Africa, I am on a mission to ensure that within the next ten years (by 2032), Igala Kingdom and Kogi state in general produce and outsource the best tourism and hospitality professionals, while also positioning the destination as the best tourism destination in Nigeria. My team in Kogi state delivered dozens of Tourism Education books and the National Tourism Education Curriculum to CMML Secondary School in Anyigba Kogi state on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. The book and curriculum will benefit over 180 senior secondary school students as well as approximately 25 staff members. However, our primary focus is on SS1 students, who still have about two years of secondary school left. This ensures that we have a good time grooming them before they enter their respective universities. To ensure the sustainability of this initiative in the school, we established a Student Tourism Club and agreed to have the Geography teacher serve as the club's internal leader. We had over 32 students sign up to join the club as of the launch day. - I will now refer to them as "the culture custodian." This is just me doing what I believe will work, with what I have, for the people and place I care about. I hope you will do the same.
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Red Rocks message of protecting environment through Arts
13-10-2022
Art for Conservation is an initiative of Red rocks that is meant to empower the kids in conservation through art, as they develop skills in arts in addition to their school educational studies, thus supporting wildlife and habitat conservation and environmental education through arts that celebrates flora and fauna. We use Arts for Conservation project to spread the message of protecting the environment, through using sustainable materials, such as banana bark, to create footballs or learning the importance of protecting and maintaining habitats whilst painting nature. Through this art the kids are able to sell their painting, and buy school materials that will help them through their studies. Tourism and Conservation is proving to be the based source of income if it’s well maintained, and taught in different ways, let it be through skills and academia, it’s in that contest that we took the first step use Art of conservation, in order to achieve our goal .
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Kintamani coffee trees replanting
27-09-2022
Coop Coffee Indonesia understand that coffee activities are responsible for emitting greenhouse gases due to environmental impacts caused by primary agricultural and processing activities. We have made some pre-calculation on the impact and on the carbon sequestration under 1 Subak Abian (farmer groups) of Tri Guna Karya on their 79 hectares coffee area. Coop Coffee is taking action through the Tri Hita Karana local wisdom to neutralize the carbon emitting happened due to the export trading activity. We divide our activity in 2 actions: reducing carbon at the main activity and showing true ambition for carbon neutrality to achieve the Indonesia NDCs. Target of 2022 : 1. Reducing 25% carbon on the coffee processing from 0.341 kg CO2/ kg green bean to 0.25575 kg CO2/ kg green bean 2. Carbon sequestration: 1 Subak Abian of Tri Guna Karya (TGK) consists of 127,183 coffee trees expect to 127,183,040 tons CO2 per year can be absorbed Also Coop Coffee Indonesia concerned to protect the Geographical Indication area of Kintamani Bali arabica coffee for maintaining the Coffee Trip To Origin Sustainable tourism.
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Be part of Red Rocks Initiative for sustainable development to Conservation efforts around Virunga cross-boundary for the purpose of promoting tourism in the region
20-09-2022
Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development is a non-profit organization that operates and around Virunga volcano mountain region of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic. Its vision is to integrate tourism, conservation and community empowerment for sustainable development in the region. In order achieve this, the communities around the region are encouraged to take part in environmental conservation activities which at the end brings them positive impact, particularly uplifting their living standards which encourages them to have motivation to help in environmental conservation. The Initiative provides volunteering programs to travellers who wish to make positive impacts to local communities in different areas like foreign language and new skills acquisition, women and youth empowerment programs, and conservation and community development activities among others. The Initiative also promotes social and economic programs like healthy and sanitation, personal hygiene, sports for conservation, arts for conservation and modern farming techniques as well as promotion of cultural activities like dancing, music, handicrafts activities, which all leads to promotion of tourism, conservation and at the end improves local community livelihoods. When visiting the region in particular Musanze district, your highly welcome at least for one day to check out the initiative’s programs and find a appropriate way/solution for you, and even your group to volunteer, donating or helping support those important programs meant to conserve our environmental and in turn has an impact to community livelihood as result of Red Rocks Initiative developmental programs.
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LAUNCH OF 2022 UNWTO STUDENTS LEAGUE SWITZERLAND
14-09-2022
UNWTO and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs are launching the 2022 UNWTO Students’ League - Switzerland, an innovative environment to empower and motivate tourism and hospitality students by giving them real-time experience. Through an online competition, Students from around the world will compete to give the tourism sector their best sustainable ideas on the pressing subjects of the sector, such as the themes chosen for this year, Tourism for Rural development, through the challenge “Off the Beaten Track”. This competition bridges the gap between students’ education and training and the realities of our sector and therefore not only gives students more insight on our sector and on the possible job avenues that exist but also enables these young people to then enter the labour market as highly qualified and skilled professionals capable of adapting to any situation that may arise.
  • What do students gain?
    • Experience from working on a real situation in the Tourism sector
    • Learning about the best practices in the field from top professionals
    • Networking
    • Winning solutions will be published in UNWTO e-publication
    • Exciting prizes
  • Participants:
    • Hospitality and Tourism Undergraduate Students from 19 to  25 years old currently carrying-out tourism and/or hospitality studies in a school/institution/university in Switzerland
    • Further information here and Registration form here (Deadline 04 October 2022 at 23’59 CET – Please make sure you read the rules here first).
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Online-Symposium: Human Rights and Climate Change - The Benefits of Linking Both Agendas in Tourism
13-09-2022
Corporate responses to climate change include a broad range of business decisions - all of them have the potential to impact human rights. At the same time, human rights due diligence has great potential to support effective climate-related decision-making. Tourism as a service-oriented sector strongly depends on social responsibility and respect for human rights. Tourism activities contribute to climate change, and climate change affects every link in the tourism value chain. This online event offers inputs around a human-rights-based approach to climate action in tourism through practical steps and shared experiences. We will elaborate on tangible ideas and how to combine both strategies, by - Understanding the link: The linkages between climate protection and human rights are multifaceted and undeniable. We show you the overlaps and connections, explain why this is relevant and what it means for the tourism industry. - Showing Benefits and Approaches: We will discuss why tourism businesses should integrate human rights into climate change-related actions. We will build the business case by showing how they benefit from combining and aligning both discourses.. - Joining forces: We want to initiate joined-up discussions and interlink business, human rights and climate action through our collective expertise. We also see this event as an opportunity for exchanging knowledge and ideas regarding approaches, existing resources, good practices and ways of collaboration Please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkdOuvrD0uG93TNJl33TAyKa1iHut-8f7L
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Red Rocks 10th Anniversary Cultural Festival brings organizations and communities together to celebrate and promote culture, conservation and sustainable tourism.
13-09-2022
As an advocate for culture and community, it was a pleasure for Red Rocks to host performers of all ages from the local area. Visitors from near and far were able to enjoy many traditional dances and music, keeping Rwandan culture current for the next generation. It was also an opportunity to build and strengthen partnerships with the aligned goals of conservation and eco-tourism. This included a beneficial group discussion with community members to discuss how eco-tourism has impacted their lives. The group shared their experiences and established common ground in this cultural exchange. Participants will take forward their learning, with a better understanding of community based tourism in Rwanda, and how development of these strategies can benefit communities. During the festival, Red Rocks were delighted to host the grand opening of the new Rwanda Community Tourism Association (RCTA) office. RCTA will commence operations in their new hub at the Red Rocks Cultural Center, Musanze with immediate effect. With conservation being such a key part of sustainable tourism, Red Rocks were proud to incorporate Kwita Izina into this years festival. Throughout the week, in partnership with International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP), the Gorilla Friendly Pledge campaign was promoted. By welcoming all visitors to take the pledge, IGCP were able to raise further awareness for gorilla conservation. Following a productive week of culture, conservation and sustainable tourism – look out for upcoming announcements as the team is already planning for 2023!
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IQM Destination
12-09-2022
Feel IQM in a program IQM Destination works based on integral quality management.Our goals are: - Increasing and strengthening public-private partnerships. - Measuring the elements of sustainable development and responsible tourism. - On a beginning of cooperation with new destination, KPI and monitoring of every indicator (more than 100 indicators od integral quality management). - On a beginning of a project in every destination we prepare surveys and present the results of satisfaction of the residents with tourism in the destination, satisfaction of guests, online quality reputation, satisfaction of tourism partners (hoteliers, restaurants, local producer, …). We are measuring online reputation of tourism partners in a destination and for a whole destination as well. - We create destination standards and stimulate quality min 80/100, including local products in tourism for min 25% in every possible component. - we are planning for next year to have a benchmarking between destinations (22 destination in Croatia in a moment).
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Tourism Matters - Leave Nothing but Footprints
06-09-2022
Tourism is not a singular phenomenon as visitors affect a location and its residents. There are societal changes brought on by tourism, such as greater employment opportunities, growth, and tax revenues that pay for services provided to residents. However, challenges can also arise with increased tourism. A location and its inhabitants can be negatively impacted by high tourism if people don’t take responsibility for their actions. To make a true contribution and a positive impact, tourism needs planning and integration into the building of society. For us in Skåne – the southernmost part of Sweden, Tourism Matters. It’s all about working towards a sustainable future and being part of a caring and welcoming world. When we all work in the same direction, we can help solve global challenges. Simply put, we make sure that tourism is not part of the problem, but rather a part of the solution. Project Footprints focused on addressing problems created by the aggressive wear and tear of increased visitors at Söderåsen National Park, the pressure and negative impact visitors had on nature and nearby residents, as well as attempted to change visitors’ mindset. There is a cost when people visit nature and don’t take care of it, visitors need to realise that a national park is a special place which deserves to be revered. Project Footprints’ goal was to change the mindset of visitors from that of consumers, to stewards. We explored how we could forge an anchored connection to nature among visitors, so they develop a sense of stewardship for a location. This innovation project set a new standard of how DMO’s can collaborate with stakeholders and therefore was a unique way of working for all parties involved. Tourism in Skåne partnered with the County Administrative Board which is responsible for maintaining national parks in Sweden to try to find a solution for the damage resulting from increased visitor numbers. During the pandemic more and more people tried to find refuge in nature, however, many were novices and did not know how to behave properly. Sweden is known for its Right to Public Access which allows people access to both private and public lands. However, there are exceptions to this rule and those exceptions occur in national parks. This is something that is not well known. Often visitors are aware of their rights, but not about their responsibilities. With the increasing number of visitors during the pandemic, there was an impact on the environment and local community around those high-pressure locations. If we want to make Skåne more attractive for all parties, then everyone involved needs to contribute to sustainable change. As this problem impacted many different actors, we opened the door to the creative process. There was an Open Call in both our native Swedish as well as English to allow for greater reach. Everyone was welcomed to apply to take part in an intensive 7-day innovation camp at Söderåsen National Park. Instead of hiring a design company as we have done in the past, it is more democratic and interesting to hire people from different backgrounds and competencies. There were 70 video applications and from those we chose 10 to join the camp. There were people from North and South America, Europe, and Asia on the team with backgrounds ranging from behavioural science to a guide from Nepal. To make the onboarding process easier and faster, the participants lived together just outside the park, they worked according to the design thinking model in two teams and created solution proposals that were delivered to Tourism in Skåne and other public actors. Another aspect of Project Footprints was using transparency as a tool for inspiring others. A film crew followed the innovation process throughout the week to create a documentary – Leave Nothing but Footprints, that would not only inform but encourage others to try open innovation. There were many insights and lessons learned along the way, by capturing those in the documentary it sparked interest and created understanding about the complex challenges organizations deal with to provide the best experience for the public. That is why the film is accessible online for free (see link below) for everyone to watch and hopefully be inspired to try something new. The documentary has led to many new requests for collaboration, inspiration and stimulated interest into solving the problem nationwide. By using design methods and innovation to proactively address problems now, we can safeguard our natural treasures for the future.  Watch the 'Leave Nothing but Footprints' video here
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25-08-2022
This report is part of a World Bank Group Global Engagement project that seeks to understand and respond to the impacts of COVID-19 on the global Tourism sector, and to support its recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden demand-side contractions in travel and tourism activities during 2020 and 2021 precipitated unprecedented shocks to the entire global tourism economy, resulting in broader macroeconomic implications, particularly for highly tourism dependent countries.   The report provides insights regarding the types of interventions governments have already implemented and policy considerations for supporting the recovery and resilience of the tourism sector going forward, particularly in light of structural demand and supply-side transformations precipitated or accelerated by COVID-19. This report studies the challenges for recovery faced by governments and the sector from the context of preexisting market and government failures that have been exacerbated by the crisis, as well as those emerging from the pandemic.   The report includes several key findings and recommendations: ·          The pandemic highlighted the complexities of tourism for development outcomes, and the depth and breadth of the tourism value chain and its linkages. ·          All tourism sub-sectors and their suppliers have been impacted; however, distributional impacts and transmission channels vary, as does the implementation of and access to support programs. ·          The tourism sector is expected to emerge stronger and more profitable than pre-COVID, but unless it is properly structured and managed, it may result in a more unequal landscape with a narrower set of beneficiaries. ·          When evaluating continued or future firm-level specific support, governments may want to follow market-principles, prioritizing market facilitation wherever possible, while considering unintended effects of support programs. ·          The pandemic has created opportunities for increased sector innovation, productivity and development impact. Specific policies, instruments and initiatives should be put in place to seize this moment to rebuild towards a more competitive, resilient, green and inclusive sectors, incentivizing tourism types that generate positive externalities while discouraging negative ones.
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World Bank Report: Tools and Policy Considerations to Support the Recovery and Resilience of the Tourism Sector
15-08-2022
This report is part of a World Bank Group Global Engagement project that seeks to understand and respond to the impacts of COVID-19 on the global Tourism sector, and to support its recovery.The COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden demand-side contractions in travel and tourism activities during 2020 and 2021 precipitated unprecedented shocks to the entire global tourism economy, resulting in broader macroeconomic implications, particularly for highly tourism dependent countries. The report provides insights regarding the types of interventions governments have already implemented and policy considerations for supporting the recovery and resilience of the tourism sector going forward, particularly in light of structural demand and supply-side transformations precipitated or accelerated by COVID-19. This report studies the challenges for recovery faced by governments and the sector from the context of preexisting market and government failures that have been exacerbated by the crisis, as well as those emerging from the pandemic. The report includes several key findings and recommendations: ·          The pandemic highlighted the complexities of tourism for development outcomes, and the depth and breadth of the tourism value chain and its linkages. ·          All tourism sub-sectors and their suppliers have been impacted; however, distributional impacts and transmission channels vary, as does the implementation of and access to support programs. ·          The tourism sector is expected to emerge stronger and more profitable than pre-COVID, but unless it is properly structured and managed, it may result in a more unequal landscape with a narrower set of beneficiaries. ·          When evaluating continued or future firm-level specific support, governments may want to follow market-principles, prioritizing market facilitation wherever possible, while considering unintended effects of support programs. ·          The pandemic has created opportunities for increased sector innovation, productivity and development impact. Specific policies, instruments and initiatives should be put in place to seize this moment to rebuild towards a more competitive, resilient, green and inclusive sectors, incentivizing tourism types that generate positive externalities while discouraging negative ones.
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Atelier Sustainability in Tourism
21-07-2022
Are you interested in the topic of sustainability? Would you like to take your company a step forward and contribute to a sustainable future? Do you want to raise your profile and be prepared for future challenges? Register now and build up your competences in the field of sustainability in a compact course: sustainable management, implementation and marketing! The Atelier Sustainability in Tourism consists of three different courses. These are built on each other:
  • Course 1 - Basics
Learn in just half a day what sustainability means for tourism in practice and how you too can get on the moving train of the sustainable future.
  • Course 2 - Implementation in your own business: Identifying and implementing measures
You will learn how sustainable solutions can also be implemented in your business.
  • Course 3 - Sustainable Marketing & Communication in Tourism
Optimise your operational communication and the perception of your customers. You have the option of visiting individual parts of it or the Sustainability in Tourism studio as a whole. Course 1:
  • 19 September 2022 (afternoon)
  • 14 November 2022 (afternoon)
  • 14 March 2023 (afternoon)
  • 18 May 2023 (afternoon)
Course 2:
  • 04 October 2022 / 05 October 2022 (afternoon)
  • 17 November 2022 / 23 November 2022 (morning)
  • 23 March 2023 (morning) / 27 March 2023 (afternoon)
  • 30 May 2023 / 05 June 2023 (afternoon)
Course 3:
  • 26 October 2022 / 02. November 2022
  • 30 November 2022 / 07. Dezember 2022
  • 05 April 2023 / 26. April 2023
  • 12 June 2023 / 26. June 2023
 
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Webinar regional para Latinoamérica sobre buenas prácticas de turismo comunitario sostenible
15-07-2022

Webinar Regional - Turismo Comunitario Sostenible Intercambio de buenas prácticas

Fecha: 20 de julio del 2022 Hora: 10:30 AM - 12:10 PM  Hora de República Dominicana 16:30 PM - 18:10 PM  Hora de España

Vínculo de registro:  https://bit.ly/3NOkwzG

Plataforma: Zoom-Webinar​ Lengua: Español e interpretación simultánea al inglés
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HLPF 2022 Side Event: Tourism and the SDGs - Accelerating the 2030 Agenda
05-07-2022
The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted the tourism sector with a spill-over effect of unexpected socio-economic consequences to many other sectors. It has also provided an opportunity to rethink the sector and mainstream its contribution to advance the SDGs. JICA and UNTWO have worked together in advancing the 2030 Agenda since many years. The entities have joined efforts to create a manual consisting of common and harmonised indicators, and explanations of connections with official SDGs indicators. It aims to evaluate the impact of tourism and its contribution to the SDGs at project level and can be adopted globally for all tourism projects. The indicators set is of acute actuality to showcase the transformative power of tourism, at all levels, and the spill-over effects of investments and interventions in the sector. The side event will showcase how to better understand the SDGs from the perspective of tourism and recognise the true potential of the sector as a driver to achieve the SDGs. It will gather key public and private sector tourism stakeholders to discuss how tourism contributes to several goals, namely through the work of One Planet Network – Sustainable Tourism Programme as well as in the form of community-based interventions, socio-economic recovery plans and regional tourism strategies. Opening Remarks by:
  • Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
  • Shingo Morihata, Deputy Director General, and Group Director for Private Sector Development, Economic Development Department, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Panel Discussions: Power of Tourism as a driver for Sustainable Development 
  • Takashi Aoki, Leader of  JICA Project for 'Enhancing the Mechanism for Sustainable Community Based Tourism Development in the North Region' in Dominican Republic
  • Chris Cocker, CEO, South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO)
  • Delphine Malleret-King, Executive Director, The Long Run
  • Lina Fernanda Pinto, International Cooperation Program and Delegate of the Directorate of Quality and Sustainable Development of the Vice-Ministry of Tourism of Colombia
  • Nadine Pinto, Global Sustainability Manager, The Travel Corporation
Moderator: Prof. Vafadari M. Kazem (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University) Kindly find the recording of the event on UNWTO YouTube channel HERE 
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Nkotsi Village Cultural Rich History
05-07-2022
Nkotsi village has a rich history, it is a cultural melting pot and has a vibrant social scene. These factors make Musanze one of Rwanda biggest and oldest townships, a tourist hot spot. When one considers the diverse activities, tours and culinary delights available in the area, a day out in Musanze is bound to provide a thrilling experience, even for the well-travelled visitor. A lot of organizations have been doing outstanding work in promoting Musanze as a prime tourism destination. One such organization is Red rocks cultural center (www.redrocksrwanda.com). It is the brainchild of Greg Bakunzi and his team passionate in community tourism development. the team knows Red rocks cultural center like the back of their hands, they started working in Red rocks cultural center in 2009 as an intern. many cultural festivals have been organized by the team and soon we shall have one coming up this summer Red rocks cultural festival 2022 Red Rocks offers different tour packages such as, Walk like a local tour, Red rocks Neighborhood Experience, A day in the virunga National park (the ultimate township tourism experience) and educational tours. Tailor made packages can also be put together for individuals, groups and corporates. Connect with Red rocks on Facebook and spread the love using these hashtags #Redrockscultural #enjoyredrocks Red rocks also facilitate bicycle and motor bike tours, soccer games and team building activities. Tours and travel packages can be arranged for clients interested in visiting city of Musanze, spots, chapatti water, by the locals and more!!  
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Generation17 dialogue
29-06-2022
Generation17 is an initiative from Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that elevates the voices of young leaders who are changing the world and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or ‘Global Goals.’ Samsung and UNDP are providing mentorship, technology, and networking opportunities for the young leaders as they advance their work The Dialogue will spotlight examples of how – at this very moment and across the globe – young people and their organizations are taking action for sustainable development and leveraging technology and innovation. These young leaders are a part of the Generation17 partnership by Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which supports a group of inspiring young leaders – ages 18 to 32 – dedicated to innovating for humanity and mobilizing global communities. The Generation17 Dialogue is an opportunity for young people and their organizations, networks, movements to connect, including with development partners. The Dialogue includes interactive sessions and panel sessions with speakers such as the Generation17 young leaders and UNDP’s Deputy Director of the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy, Mr. Walid Badawi.
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Webinar: Choices for Human Rights - How Tourism Businesses Can Influence & Sensitise Their Travellers
28-06-2022
The awareness of sustainable travel is rising - but the question remains how this will contribute to long-term, meaningful development. Tourism players often say customers would have to demand sustainable products more to create more offers. In contrast, customers state that they would request more sustainable products if offered more. It is often unawareness and a lack of sensitisation that lead to the demand for products incompatible with human rights and environmental due diligence. Tourism companies are understandably keen to present their products positively and attractively. At the same time, many are confronted with how to communicate supposedly "less pleasant topics" such as human rights and sustainability principles and sensitise their customers without raising a finger. This webinar will shed light on how tourism stakeholders can influence travellers to choose more sustainable products with relatively simple means. It will help understand communication's relevance to achieving customer understanding and goodwill for one's business principles and highlight how customers can be sensitised in the destination. Milena S. Nikolova is an expert in applying insights about human behaviour to sustainability, travel and education solutions. She will share passionate and practical insights on linking psychology with responses to the travel industry's fundamental opportunities and challenges. This webinar is targeted at tourism businesses and other stakeholders such as DMCs and is intended to - Understand the power of understanding when communicating "supposedly unpleasant" topics with customers. - Learn how to use this knowledge to nudge customers into more sustainable product choices. - Show concrete measures to sensitise customers to social sustainability before and during travel.
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TOURISM OCEAN ACTION - TOWARDS A CIRCULAR AND REGENERATIVE BLUE ECONOMY - Side event at the UN Ocean Conference
28-06-2022

Tourism is the largest sector of the ocean-based industries representing 40% of its total export value. Coastal and maritime tourism plays a significant role in the economic prosperity of island and coastal communities, bringing jobs, investment and income. Besides the benefits of tourism development, there are also challenges such as the loss of biodiversity, pollution and resource consumption.

At the core of the blue economy is the decoupling of socioeconomic development from environmental impacts. The side-event will focus on sustainable consumption and production as a key strategy to accelerate tourism ocean action. Policy makers and businesses will share policies, strategies and solutions to accelerate the contribution of towards a more circular and regenerative blue economy.

  • Location: In the Blue Zone - Committee Room of Altice Arena, Lisbon, Portugal
  • Date: 29 June 2022
  • Time: 13:00 - 14:15
Live Streaming HERE
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1 CHF pour le climat
20-06-2022
Portée par l'association à but non lucratif Webeelong, l'initiative "1 CHF pour le climat" permet aux restaurateurs de s’engager simplement pour l’environnement et de soutenir l’économie locale suisse avec l’aide de leurs clients. Le principe? Il est simple: les restaurateurs participant à l’opération prélèvent la somme de 1 franc sur la note de leurs clients, qu’ils reversent ensuite à l’association. Cette somme sert d’une part à planter des arbres et, d’autre part, à soutenir des produits durables par le biais de bons que les restaurateurs peuvent faire valoir auprès de producteurs locaux. La répartition des fonds, elle, se veut transparente: 45 centimes pour les arbres, 40 pour les producteurs et 15 pour l’association. La plantation d'arbres en Suisse à pour but de : - Absorber les émissions de gaz à effet de serre - Préserver la biodiversité - Encourager l'agro-foresterie Le soutien de l''économie locale vise à : - Soutenir et développer l’artisanat local - Réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre (moins de km parcourus, circuits courts) - Favoriser la transparence et traçabilité des produits - Promouvoir une agriculture respectueuse de l'environnement Finalement, il y a aussi une volonté de sensibilisation du public aux enjeux de l’alimentation et à son impact sur le climat ainsi que d'amorcer le changement pour favoriser des modes de consommation plus responsables
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Social Entrepreneurship Competition in Tourism 2022
18-06-2022
Do you dream of igniting change through social entrepreneurship in travel? Join the Social Entrepreneurship Competition in Tourism and share your ideas with the world! The Social Entrepreneurship in Tourism Competition is the first worldwide competition focusing on social innovation and entrepreneurship in tourism. By giving social entrepreneurs from around the world access to expertise and international visibility, the competition aims to empower entrepreneurs and communities in travel destinations, accelerate their growth and provide them with access to market. The focus of the competition is to provide strong support for social tourism entrepreneurs and their efforts to help to transform the sector and shape a sustainable future for tourism in their destination. Therefore, we connect the projects with a strong and international network of partner organizations and supporters — such as TUI Care Foundation, Travel Massive, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, SINA, the ITB Berlin and Teejit. The structure of the competition follows the spirit of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals and seeks to support the achievement of Quality Education, Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. What's in it for you? We will provide a mentoring and coaching process for up to ten finalists, who will receive 8 weeks of both 1-on-1 and peer-to-peer support, focusing on pitch training, human-centred design, business modelling, and impact measurement. The mentors are industry leading experts with years of experience in various tourism related business contexts. Apart from valuable expert feedback, features across our channels and financial support for the winning teams, all 25 shortlisted teams will get access to specialized eLearning courses and online trainings. Learn more about the application details, our jury, the prizes and the mentors on our website.
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Rwanda's 10th Red Rocks Cultural Festival
14-06-2022
Rwanda's 10th Red Rocks Cultural Festival less than three months away The 10th Red Rocks Cultural Festival is coming up on August 26 to September 2. The theme for this year is “Conservation and Cultural Sustainability”. The final day of the Festival coincides with Rwanda's annual Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony, during which new-born gorillas are given names by conservationists. The day culminates in the Crazy Night of the Gorillas, which is a party for all to enjoy. The Culture Festival is a celebration full of vibrant, thrilling cultural events, making it an exciting time for all ages. Visitors can enjoy traditional music performances every afternoon, cultural artwork and dances, evening storytelling around a campfire, discussions and debates surrounding conservation, and much more. In addition, the festival runs concurrently with the annual Rwandan Kwita Izina, a Gorilla Naming Ceremony, during which newborn gorillas are given names by conservationists. Kwita Izina is held on the morning of the festival’s last day, allowing the excitement to build throughout the weeklong celebration. The final night of the festival is marked by the Crazy Night of the Gorillas, which includes refreshments, dancing, and live music for all to enjoy. Visitors and conservationists who participate in the Red Rocks Culture Festival are given the opportunity to learn more about the culture of Rwanda, the need for sustainable development, and the conservation efforts made to protect endangered mountain gorilla populations in the area. In doing so, they support the local community’s everyday life while also helping preserve the region’s cultural heritage. Rwanda is already a rich tourism hub, yet the festival promotes further cultural participation among visitors. As this will be the 10th anniversary of the festival, visitors can also expect enhanced cultural diversity and conservation that reflects the nation’s pride.
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Sustainable Management of Territorial Tourism: Jamao Ecotours
10-06-2022
Jamao Eco Tours is a community company made up of 20 members (young people), who value natural wealth in favor of the local economy, it is the first receptive community-type tour operator in the Dominican Republic and is creating a community tourism destination in network. It is in charge of chaining tourist products and services to sell as excursion packages, which benefit more than 80 families in 9 communities of the town of Jamao al Norte. This social business brings together young people and members from the communities of the Espaillat province, in the north of the country, who through the Espaillat Ecotourism Cluster with the support of the Sustainable Community Tourism Project and the concern of the Young people to generate sources of income for all the Community with the resources available in the locality. This community tour operator has been developed by establishing a management system based on community participation for decision-making, capacity building, productive chaining and service creation. In addition, equitable distribution of benefits, responsible use of the tangible and intangible heritage of the Community. Within good sustainability practices: -The sustainable management system covers environmental, social, cultural, economic, quality, human rights, health and safety aspects. -The collaborators of Jamao Ecotours and the Community are continuously trained on issues of sustainable tourism, community development, digital promotion, soft skills. -The group functions as a permanent overseer of the protection and conservation of the local fauna and flora. -They have established a monitoring system for visitation and the purchase of local products. -The company provides advice and support to the local service providers with which it relates, regarding the quality and sustainability of its services. In addition, they are recipients of groups of students and communities to exchange experiences. 70% of the profits are allocated to the Community
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Chocolala: Taking advantage of community resources to make fine chocolates and artisan products and generating sustainable strategies.
07-06-2022
Chocolala Artisan Chocolate Factory is a society of women entrepreneurs from the community of Altamira, Puerto Plata province, in the north of the Dominican Republic, who emerged with the purpose of producing and marketing chocolates. This Women's Society was born from an Association of Mothers of Las Lajas Community who, motivated to achieve their economic autonomy to improve their quality of life, insert themselves into the local production chain and generate income to contribute to their families. The formation and growth of this small company led by women has been thanks to the commitment and active involvement of its members, creating a vision of joint work and determining value-added actions that frame their products within an experience of collective work, responsible production, closing inequality gaps and the right to decent work and sustainable management. Chocolala has generated good operating and management practices for its business, such as: - Creation of a Cocoa experience and a Cocoa trail, managed from the objectives of Community-Based Sustainable Tourism. In this trail, the interpretation of the process of sowing, cultivation and relevance of cocoa is carried out. It has been created to publicize the value of the products. - Achieving more than 500 visits per month. - Link with a national chain of supermarkets for the placement of their products. - Legal constitution of the company: National registrations and certification with the FDA. - Established measures with a gender perspective to contribute to closing existing inequality gaps between men and women. - Creation of a diversity of craft products complementary to chocolate that enrich the tourist experiences within the factory. - Established synergies with other tourism companies and complementary service companies in the tourism value chain Puerto Plata province. - Operation based on healthy, safe and sustainable tourism based on a contingency plan for COVID 19.
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Strengthening the Community-Based Sustainable Tourism Development Mechanism in the Northern Region of the Dominican Republic.
07-06-2022
This project implemented in the 14 provinces of the northern region or Cibao of the Dominican Republic with the objective of strengthening the capacities and coordination mechanisms for facilitating the development of TCS with public-private participation in the Northern Region, under the execution of the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPyD), National Institute of Professional Technical Training (INFOTEP) with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from 2016 to March 2022. The TCS tries to be a local solution with a global impact, knowing that in the specific case of tourism development in the Dominican Republic it has been based on traditional aspects such as the development of tourism offers by foreign investors, being the national local participation in decision-making at an operational level and where the reinvestment of economic benefits is not contemplated in the communities, creating a scenario of challenges to promote and facilitate community management of tourism, giving a more active role to the participation of local members in decision making; Diversify the tourist offer by promoting the creation of tourist products managed from the communities to enhance local pride, authenticity, uniqueness and identity; Facilitate the empowerment and articulation of community people for concerted planning to take advantage of the endogenous potential of the territories. Through the practice in the northern region in this Project, it was shown that tourism development in which the community plays a leading role works as a new model of tourism development in which the region plays a central role. Using this model, regional tourism can continue and grow stronger in the future. Below, we present a summary of the most relevant results of the Sustainable Community Tourism project in the Dominican Republic:
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Fighting Poverty with Responsible Tourism
07-06-2022
The project, conducted with the Center for Rural Economy Development (CRED), built the capacities of local actors – women, youth, associations, public entities – in partnership with fair-minded tourism operators based in Hanoi to jointly establish responsible tourism offers for both international and domestic individual tourists and in small groups. The basis was the respect of local culture and environment with a view on creating sustainable income generation opportunities and professional diversity in rural areas as alternative to respectively agriculture or internal labour migration (especially the young generation). Local tourism plans were elaborated and integrated in socio-economic development plans, thus fostering local governance through participation, transparency and accountability. The project, implemented 2015-2019, is now transferred to public and private local actors after the creation of a the social enterprise. Helvetas Vietnam is still engaged in the development of Community-Based Tourism in the frame of the USAID-Viet Nam Biodiversity Conservation program  under the lead of WWF.
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COFFEE, COCOA FOR THE CONSERVATION OF VIRUNGA PARK – COFFEE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
27-05-2022
Gicumbi co cooperative ensures the socio economic reintegration of ex-poachers and vulnerable women into the coffee and cocoa sector in Northern Rwanda. The Project is committed to Planting, processing and marketing the entire coffee and cocoa crop year after year, our central concern is building a strong and sustainable business and establishing a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship. This means ensuring that the Cooperative has the infrastructure and financing necessary to run their operations, produce great coffee and offer added value to their members. In the beginning, coffee brought the farmers together and made it possible for us to work in partnership. As the Cooperative develops, coffee continues to provide the foundation for our work together, and an opening to new opportunities for strengthening our partnership, and creating benefit for the farmers. Profit-Sharing Our profit-sharing structure creates a powerful source of funding for the Cooperative’s business development needs. This innovative business model provides transparency for consumers and pushes the fair trade system towards greater equity for the farmers. Since then, the money from our profit-sharing program has been used to purchase land for the Cooperative’s future office and warehouse, fulfilling the dream of the Cooperative’s board for a permanent headquarters with established electricity, internet connections, and phone lines. More recently, the Cooperative has used the funds to subsidise the purchase of coffee seedlings for its members, and extended agricultural advising services, supporting the development of a stronger farming program and greater productivity for members. Growth Micro-Finance Currently, the Cooperative is working to create a comprehensive micro-finance initiative for its members. Beyond traditional small-scale loans, the Cooperative has established a matched-savings program as Quick Impact to incentivise long-term savings.
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As mudanças climáticas e o turismo - impactos & perspectivas (Encontro LETS/UnB)
27-05-2022
O próximo Encontro LETS será aberto a tod@s, com transmissão ao vivo no YouTube do CDS UnB, e não poderíamos deixar de fora da pauta de discussões deste ano um tema extremamente atual e importante: As mudanças climáticas e o turismo! Para dividir conosco seu conhecimento, convidamos a Profa. Dra. Isabel Grimm, que além de coordenadora do programa de pós-graduação e Mestrado Profissional em Governança e Sustentabilidade do Instituto Superior dm Administração e Economia (ISAE - Curitiba) é também Pesquisadora nos temas que envolvem #governança #planejamentourbano, #indicadores de #sustentabilidade, #mudançasclimáticas e #turismo !! Na mediação deste encontro incrível, contamos com a participação das #pesquisadorasLETS Jaqueline Gil @jaqueline.gil e Nayara Marques @nayararmarques - ambas doutorandas do CDS/UnB - que recentemente lançaram o curso “Gestão da Sustentabilidade e Mudanças Climáticas” na Amplia Mundo @ampliamundo e poderão nos apresentar outras perspectivas sobre o tema, ampliando nossa conexão Academia-sociedade-trade turístico. Mais um encontro imperdível! 🤩 Coloca na agenda: 🗓️ Sexta feira - 27/05 ⏰ 10h, ao vivo, no YouTube CDS/UnB (link na bio). Mais informações sobre o tema em: https://lets.etc.br/mudancas-climaticas-e-turismo-desafios-e-oportunidades-no-brasil/
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Bogota Industrial Tourism
17-05-2022
Industrial Tourism with ISO 13810:2015 and NTC 6507
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Gestão da Sustentabilidade e Mudanças Climáticas
12-05-2022
A sustentabilidade deixou de ser uma “iniciativa interessante” e se tornou uma necessidade. Além disso, desastres cada vez mais frequentes, e pesquisas alarmantes sobre mudanças climáticas aceleram a percepção de que precisamos agir a favor do equilíbrio entre seres humanos e natureza rapidamente, antes que seja tarde demais (ou fique quente demais). Com isso, a Amplia Mundo preparou um curso rápido e muito especial sobre Gestão da Sustentabilidade e Mudanças Climáticas - online e ao vivo - conectado com o ODS 13! Em 3 horas, vamos discutir: ✅ Conceitos e práticas de sustentabilidade alinhadas às ações climáticas ✅ Mudanças Climáticas e Fronteiras Planetárias ✅ Como desenvolver um plano de ação rumo à sustentabilidade e às ações climáticas 👩🏻‍💻🧑🏽‍💻 50% de desconto para estudantes universitários Você estará em boas mãos, com nossas instrutoras: 👩‍🏫 Jaqueline Gil - CEO da Amplia Mundo e doutoranda em Desenvolvimento Sustentável pela UnB 👩‍🏫 Nayara Marques - doutoranda em Desenvolvimento Sustentável pela UnB e pesquisadora do laboratório LETS/UnB Se inscreva agora pelo nosso site: http://ampliamundo.com.br/curso-sustentabilidade/
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Sociology of Leisure and Tourism. UNLV Students' Message for Sustainable Tourism: The Sustainable Development Goals
10-05-2022
After studying the United Nations' Agenda for Sustainable Development, the students of the Sociology of Leisure course at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) selected seven Sustainable Development Goals and prepared a video message for tourists who want to travel responsibly.
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Peace through tourism. The role of tourism in the achievement of the SDG16 (plus)
04-05-2022
The contribution of tourism to a widespread culture of peace is a much more complex subject than it seems. Fabio Carbone's ongoing research is based on the initial idea that tourism is only potentially a vehicle to peace. Thus his research aims to explore the dynamics underlying an effective contribution of tourism for the promotion of global mutual understanding and peace. The ontological approach is transdisciplinary, integrating mainly tourism studies, cultural heritage management and peace and conflict studies. A revision of the approach to tourism – from both supply and demand side – is an essential step towards the establishment of an effective link between tourism and peace. In particular, it was recently pointed out the potential of war related attractions, particularly war museums, as “local infrastructures for peace” (Carbone, 2021). Fabio Carbone's studies aim to stimulate a public discussion (involving policy makers, cultural heritage managers, travellers, DMCs, DMOs, donors, academia and hosting communities)curators, politicians, and destination managers) leading to a conscious and informed decision on the social role to be given to tourism practices for the achievement of the SDG16 (and SDG16plus).
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Red Rocks unveils yearly events
28-04-2022
Musanze district is the hub of Rwanda’s tourism industry and a source of many adventures. It has a long list of adventure activities on offer. However, when the spotlight is put on adventure, most people will immediately think of the mountain gorillas - This would be right since the primates have positioned themselves as Rwanda’s flagship tourist attraction. But there are other must-see attractions in Musanze, such as the Musanze Caves, as well as other animals that reside in the Volcanoes National Park. There is also the historic Buhanga Eco-Park, which was a sacred forest where Rwandan kings performed initiation ceremonies. Musanze is only three hours drive from Kigali. But have you ever thought about what you can experience here after your gorilla trekking excursions? Red Rocks Rwanda has a solution for you. This year, staring in June, from Friday to Sunday; Red Rocks is going to make your weekend warmer, and even more exciting! We have lined thrilling activities just for you that will make your weekend and You will never forget Rwanda! Most of these activities we have lined up are cultural. So forget about the gorillas in the meantime. We want to immerse you in Rwanda authentic culture. And We hope you are going to enjoy. It will be a memorable experience, particularly tailored for you. Let's start with beer. Traditional Rwandan liked their beer, made naturally from, of course nature. We used bananas to make our beer. It’s not potent, that’s why our beloved banana beer mostly was used for social interaction. You’re going to learn how we used to make this “friendly” banana beer, demonstrated by our local women. (By the way, you should know that Rwanda culture allowed women to make beer but men were the most consumers of it!) Come also to learn traditional ways of farming, the African way. We have also designed a weekend getaway packed with music, dancing and drumming. Our famous Intore dancers will get you with the groove. For your culinary adventure, your weekend is going to be packed tasting traditional and modern cuisine. Local food tasting and barbeque all are waiting for you at Red Rocks campsite in Nyakinama. We are also going to feature continental collection of specifically dishes to cater for your individual taste buds. Full Moon BBQ and Bush Dinner Rwanda under the summer moon is an amazing sight on its own. At Red Rocks campsite, we will have a surprise for you: a Full Moon BBQ. Now the cat is out of the bag. Moonlight Camping, BBQ and full Bush Dinner at Red Rocks campsite is going to be a thrilling and unique adventure packed with so much laughter and fun. Imagine camping at the glare of the full moon by the campsite with full evening of local stories and enjoying delicious roasted maize known as ibigori specifically roasted by the locals! DRUMMING /DANCE FUN WEEKENDS Each Friday and Saturday at Red Rocks campsite from this June will have special Fire and Drum Nights. Just come at the campsite to be part amazing evening of dancers, drummers and, of course, the never-dying campfire. Revel in the beauty of the night, enjoy out enthralling music, dancing and fun games during the day and in the evenings. This will also be filled with exciting family-friendly activities like storytelling, puppet shows, magic, crafts, the food, and arts. KIDS FUN PAINTINGS ADVENTURE Here is a fun-filled weekend away escape you’re bound to enjoy with your little ones. Red Rocks campsite is an ideal place for kids. It has space. It has trees. It’s a perfect weekend escape for everyone who wants to enjoy nature at its pristine. Kids will enjoy live paintings at their pleasure! LOCAL- FOOD TASTING NIGHTS Our food-tasting nights from Fridays to Sundays will leave memorable taste in your mouth. You’re welcome to come join enjoy tasting our local plus exotic recipes! Igitaramo Fiesta Nights Igitaramo Nights are specifically during weekends. This is a special celebration emphasizing our traditional and cultural norms; from cooking, agricultural practices and traditional leadership. The highlight of Igitaramo Night is exhilarating performance by traditional dance troupe, the Intore dancers. But of course, we have incorporated other activities like free kid’s paintings and art exhibitions by our talented local artists. HAPPY BANANA BEER GET TOGETHER Treat yourself to free entertainment outdoors in our beautiful garden and enjoy live entertainment after gorilla trekking.  Join local women who come by to demonstrate t banana beer making process. Come and enjoy delicious food that is always made fresh and ready to eat TREE PLANTING FESTIVAL We have monthly events e.g. the Tree Planting Festival is an event that takes place every Saturday of the first week of the month. Locals, volunteers, and interested peoples join us at Red Rocks Centre and get to plant indigenous trees, fruit trees, and other exotic trees with our community. The day festival encourages young people and community members to enjoy the long-term benefits of conserving our environment and also a practical way of introducing and integrating environmental actions in the different areas of Musanze and around Rwanda where we got our conservation centers.
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Swiss Sustainable Winter Tourism Development Project in Kyrgyzstan
28-04-2022
This project for sustainable development of winter tourism in Kyrgyzstan is financed by the Government of Switzerland through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by the development organization HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation. The main objective of the project is to contribute to an increase in decent employment and income opportunities for the population, with the prospect of creating year-round jobs through the development of a sustainable value chain in winter tourism and thus more balanced tourism throughout the year. With this year-round view on tourism, the project activities are aimed at ensuring high economic value while equally minimizing negative social and environmental impacts, and thereby improving the quality of offered tourism services as well as the quality of life for current residents and future generations to come. The target destination for the development of sustainable tourism in the project’s main phase is Karakol, an attraction on its own and a gateway to the majestic Tien Shan mountains and close to Lake Issyk-Kul. Ideally, within Kyrgyzstan Karakol destination will become a benchmark for tourism management and the integration of a holistic view on sustainable development, and also receive recognition for their practices beyond the country’s borders and beyond the project years.
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Sustainable Development Goals for Children
26-04-2022
Sustainable Development Goals in Education has the goal of empowering students of all ages with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to address the interconnected global challenges we face, including climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, poverty and inequality. Because the world faces ever more complex and challenging challenges, from developing a cure for covid-19 to tackling global climate change or making sure we have enough water, food and energy for our planet. Solutions to these problems are not found in textbooks or multiple-choice tests. Society needs problem solvers who can tackle such 'difficult problems' in creative and innovative ways and do this within a multidisciplinary team. Many children and young people lead lives of despair, dissatisfaction and apathy, devoid of hope. The Sustainable Development Goals in Education represent a way to change this and offer children and young people not only hope but also the tools to transform their lives and communities. To achieve the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Climate Agreement, we must encourage students to peace and cooperation, and equip them with knowledge, skills and values to raise awareness on issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and large-scale pollution. Foreword by Global Sustainable Futures Partnership Network Development Founder Dr. Renuka Thakoe, Global Actors International and Business for Sustainability Chairman Joaquin V. Boston and India International Sustainable Development Goals Division Chair Dr. Written by Kalyani Rao B and Dr. Written by Sümeyra AYIK and Çelebi KALKAN; “Sustainable Development Goals Competence Book for Children”, which addresses sustainable development goals with 251 achievements, 92 concepts and 68 creative activities, and supports children's cognitive, social-emotional and behavioral development areas, encourages students to prioritize sustainable development in their lifestyles, behaviors, education and professional careers. It is the world's first children's book designed to provide. In the Sustainable Development Goals Workshop program for children we organized on the occasion of the 11 December International Mountain Day, hosted by Erciyes A.Ş in Kayseri province, our little students realized that sustainable tourism is important in the fight against poverty in underdeveloped regions by producing creative solutions to the effects of climate change on sustainable mountain tourism. they have arrived. In addition, the activity carried out in sustainable tourism activities;
  1. to be in harmony with nature,
  2. to promote socioeconomic and environmental sustainability, and
  3. They realized that the education-oriented visitor experience should be kept alive.
In summary; Human skills cannot be developed without quality education, and it is not possible to achieve sustainable development goals if human skills are not developed!
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Red Rocks initiatives for Sustainable Development and Red Rocks Rwanda
26-04-2022
RED ROCKS INITIATIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT  runs a  Conservation and Community-based Ecotourism, it came to existence after the idea which came from RED ROCKS RWANDA, an Ecotourism company and a social enterprise is all about the community, the wildlife, tourism & travel thus promoting sustainable tourism through community and cultural programs. We bring under-served communities into the tourism supply chain and supports community development projects that help people help themselves through our initiatives. (http://redrocksinitiative.org/). We support sustainable development in Rwanda by engaging in sustainable tourism and community-driven environmental conservation initiatives that are meant to benefit local communities. Our initiatives were initiated on the principle that sustainable tourism and community-driven environmental conservation are effective tools for poverty eradication when done correctly and in an inclusive manner. Through our works, we have launched many projects, which are helping the local community get access to education, health care, and sustainable income that honors their traditional way of life. We created a respectful environment where the local community feels comfortable with tourists and work to position conservation as a competitive land use that delivers benefits to local communities, creates jobs, stimulates local micro-enterprise development, promotes local procurement, develops skills and knowledge, and ultimately improves livelihoods within the Volcanoes National Park. Our Sustainable development project initiatives success stories and Impacts includes: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION INITIATIVE  We have worked with community partners and cooperatives to host farm tours and farm activities, like planting indigenous fruit trees and learning about domestic farm animals and horticulture ART FOR CONSERVATION INITIATIVE We promote local artisans to preserve the volcanoes National park flora and fauna, through artifacts for  animals  and plants that can’t speak for themselves. LIVESTOCK SUPPORT Supporting small-scale dairy activities, to improve livestock nutrition, facilitate healthcare for women-headed families and discourage them from poaching for meat in the park. SKILLS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE We enable Women to learn skills which enable them earn income earned from selling woven baskets, mats, and other artisanal pieces.  AGRICULTURE PROJECT We train local farmers to compost manure, maintain ecologic organic agriculture practices to conserve biodiversity as well as create into them the culture of financial savings for sustainable development. BOTANIC GARDEN Our gardens preserve traditional plant species with medicinal value, to conserve disappearing tree spices.  EDUCATION INITIATIVE We promote educational opportunities, including volunteer-led English programs and computer literacy, as a way to expand local youths’ resources and broaden their horizons. SPORTS PROGRAM We bring together communities and individuals to discuss environmental conservation, raising local awareness of the need to protect our environment through sports  COMMUNITY HEALTH & SECURITY INITIATIVE We teach locals on healthcare issues ranging from clean water and reproductive rights and nutrition. We promote awareness of sexual and reproductive health rights, family planning, nutrition, and proper hygiene and sanitation through our Community healthcare project SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS We help single mothers and other vulnerable populations to secure permanent housing and facilitate long-term education for school-aged children and help pair vulnerable children with windowed mothers as foster families in newly constructed homes. CULTURE HERITAGE PRESERVATION Partnered with government institutions and signed partnership agreement to preserve Community cultural heritages/sights for travel and tourism attraction and organizing and conducting annual Cultural Harvest Season festivals as preservation of culture and heritage, with the overall goal of increasing public awareness of nations cultural and natural heritage. RED ROCKS VOLCANO PRODUCTION This is a community-based literature art program initiative that includes cinema. music. theater poetry, drama, storytelling, sewing, and school children's library, all meant to improve community livelihood around the Volcano Massif. Please come and visit these community livelihood initiatives projects with any support in kinds like Scholastic Materials for School Children, Visual Art Paints, Music Recording Materials, and Sewing Materials. Travel with the purpose to this wonderful place and donate any item in kind to support these Red Rocks community livelihood project initiatives.
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ECOSOC Youth Forum (19-20 April) -“COVID-19 recovery: Youth taking action for a sustainable future”
13-04-2022
The 2022 ECOSOC Youth Forum is convened by the President of ECOSOC and co- organized by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the Office of the Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth (OSGEY), in collaboration with the United Nations Inter- Agency Network on Youth Development (IANYD), and co-convened by the Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) and the International Coordination Meeting of Youth Organizations (ICMYO), with technical input from youth organizations relevant to the theme of the forum. Youth leaders from around the world will have the opportunity to engage with government representatives, youth delegates, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders in civil society and the private sector. They will contribute to the review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs and to shaping policy recommendations at the HLPF and other Intergovernmental fora, such as the UN Transforming Education Summit, the UN Ocean Conference, the Financing for Development (FfD) Forum, among others. The two-day event will feature plenary sessions, interactive thematic and regionally based discussions. Young people are encouraged to share best practices, lessons learned, solutions as well as creative and innovative ideas with Member States, other youth and stakeholders on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and also on the sustainable development goals under review in the Economic and Social Council and the High-level Political Forum in 2022. Side events will take place virtually on Monday 18 April 2022, one day prior to the ECOSOC Youth Forum. Guidelines to submit applications for side events will be posted online shortly. Stay tuned for the launch of the Youth2030 Progress Report 2022: On 20 April, the Forum will feature the launch of the second ever progress report of the United Nations system-wide youth strategy, Youth2030, providing insights on the status of implementation of Youth2030 across the United Nations system at all levels, and hig
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TripForTrees - Sustainability Holidays
07-04-2022
TripForTrees meets several objectives: - For sustainable tourism professionals, this innovative distribution channel is a way to gain visibility, and thus increase their sales. It is also a way for local sustainable tourism actors to reinforce their autonomy vis-à-vis the large digital platforms. Registration on the platform is free. TripForTrees can also, upon request, create customized digital services. - Travelers can simplify the process: no need to do a lot of online research or collect all the brochures from tourist offices to find eco-responsible accommodation and sustainable activities nearby. TripForTrees is finally a way to support the local economy and eco-responsible offer by promoting the visibility of local tourism. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
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CONEXION2030
07-04-2022
CONEXION2030 is an online platform to promote the digitalization of SME´s in the tourism sector, integrating technologies for the strengthening of the communication and evaluation of sustainability among destinations, companies and travelers. We are focused to promote data based decision making, improving the capacity of companies, travelers and destinations to use technology to evaluate, understanda and promote a more sustainable travel.
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Mainstreaming the Sustainable Development Goals: a results framework for galleries, libraries, archives and museums
24-03-2022
'Mainstreaming the SDGs in galleries, libraries, archives and museums' aims to help these institutions to go beyond aligning their activity to particular SDGs or targets, to using the targets concretely to develop, plan, monitor and communicate activity that helps achieve SDGs and targets. This is built around a set of seven key activities that these types of institutions routinely do, and which represent channels for more ambitious and more impactful activity for sustainable development. Supporting sustainable tourism is one of these seven activities, but tourism also relates to all seven, as the activities are related. The guide is an interactive PDF, where organisations ask themselves which activities and targets they are committed to, and to help them plan and deliver action towards them, in outcomes-focussed ways.
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I Congreso Internacional de Problemáticas Turísticas
24-03-2022
El Consejo Directivo de Escuelas de Turismo de la Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral presenta el I Congreso Internacional de Problemáticas Turísticas: Resiliencia turística en contextos de crisis e incertidumbre mundial. Ante el contexto global, las teorías y paradigmas se han visto modificados radicalmente. Siendo necesario replantear posiciones y buscar nuevos equilibrios a través de la generación de saberes por medio de la comprensión, estimulación, fomento y difusión de investigaciones y experiencias relacionadas con las problemáticas turísticas que han aquejado, y aquejan, a nuestro entorno. El congreso tiene como objetivo crear puntos de encuentro para propiciar sinergias que logren el entendimiento espacial y territorial vinculado con situaciones contrapuestas al posicionamiento y desarrollo de la actividad turística, promoviendo iniciativas que busquen armonía y sustentabilidad, estimulando el intercambio de conocimientos y experiencias técnico-profesionales-sociales. Considerando que el desarrollo regional y el crecimiento del sujeto se vinculan intrínsecamente a una necesidad primaria de dignificación, modificando, erradicando o reduciendo el trabajo precarizado, convirtiéndolo en trabajo genuino, posibilita repensar las economías sociales, enalteciendo lo regional, la historia y lo cultural de un pueblo. De igual forma, la funcionalidad y apreciación del turismo en defensa del patrimonio natural y cultural, acción desarrollada en elementos teóricos y analíticos que conllevan al cuidado y la preservación del medio social y ambiental disponen el diseño y ejecución de marcos conceptuales que protegen la fauna y la flora, concibiendo también a la comunidad como factor esencial de protección sobre ellos.
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Tourism and Technology Summit Africa
25-02-2022
The TOURISM & TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT AFRICA 2022 Technology has always been an important component in the global economy. It has however become a strategic imperative due to the emergence and the rise of the tech-savvy, connected consumers across global and national socioeconomic landscapes and sectors Even though this has immense potential to create value, unlock broader societal benefits and change negative perceptions about Africa, its adoption in many African tourist destinations lags behind compared to international good practices. Contextually, this challenge differs from country to country, but it remains a major inhibitor to a competitive African Tourism Industry and that is the gap Tourism and Technology Summit Africa aims to close. The Africa Tourism Board would partner My Beautiful Africa for this years Summit which would aim to deliver a digital playbook on the digital transformation of the African Tourism.
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Claves en la gestión de las empresas turísticas y la nueva realidad
14-02-2022
As part of the implementation of  the project:  "Proyecto para la Recuperación del Turismo de la Crisis de la COVID-19 en la República Dominicana", the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic , UNWTO and JICA are organizing 4 tourism online masterclasses.

This tourism online masterclass is primarily aimed at public and private tourism stakeholders of the Dominican Republic, and also open to stakeholders with an interest / linked to the Dominican tourism sector.

The event is free and will be conducted in Spanish on 16 February, 09:00 - 10:30 (hora local en Santo Domingo) 
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Productos que seducen - del recurso al producto turístico
14-02-2022
As part of the implementation of  the project:  "Proyecto para la Recuperación del Turismo de la Crisis de la COVID-19 en la República Dominicana", the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism , UNWTO and JICA are organizing 4 tourism online masterclasses.

This tourism online masterclass is primarily aimed at public and private tourism stakeholders of the Dominican Republic, and also open to stakeholders with an interest / linked to the Dominican tourism sector.

The event is free and will be conducted in Spanish on 17 February, 09:00 - 10:30( hora local en Santo Domingo) 
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Inmersión al desarrollo del negocio digital en turismo
14-02-2022
As part of the implementation of  the project:  "Proyecto para la Recuperación del Turismo de la Crisis de la COVID-19 en la República Dominicana", the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic , UNWTO and JICA are organizing 4 tourism online masterclasses.

This tourism online masterclass is primarily aimed at public and private tourism stakeholders of the Dominican Republic, and also open to stakeholders with an interest / linked to the Dominican tourism sector.

The event is free and will be conducted in Spanish on 15 February, 09:00 - 10:30 (hora local en Santo Domingo) 
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Madurar o envejecer: los nuevos retos de los destinos hoy
14-02-2022
As part of the implementation of  the project:  "Proyecto para la Recuperación del Turismo de la Crisis de la COVID-19 en la República Dominicana", the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism , UNWTO and JICA are organizing 4 tourism online masterclasses.

This tourism online masterclass is primarily aimed at public and private tourism stakeholders of the Dominican Republic, and also open to stakeholders with an interest / linked to the Dominican tourism sector.

The event is free and will be conducted in Spanish on 14 February, 09:00 - 10:30( hora local en Santo Domingo)   
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Museums and Human Rights: Human rights as a basis for public service
11-02-2022
'Museums and Human Rights: human rights as a basis for public service' is a free e-guide on human rights in relation to museums, and how museums can use human rights-based approaches (HRBA) to guide their decision making and management in ways that are transparent, effective and transformative, as part of sustainable development. This is one of a series of guides by Curating Tomorrow (a consultancy run by Henry McGhie) aiming to empower insitutions to understand their obligations, develop their ability to deliver their obligations, and to help more people be able to claim their rights and entitlements through institutions. Tourism relates to many human rights and SDGs, and museums can support sustainable tourism through the programmes they develop, the way they employ staff, the way they use natural resources, and the partnerships and collaborations they develop and support.
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SAY YEAH
18-12-2021
In Old Turkish, the word 'seyyâh' was used to mean travelling, wandering, tourist, passenger. So where does our story begin? Right at this point! We say yeah to wander around the world like a seyyah to bring together the best music, venue and audience. On this road, which started with the vision of bringing a new brand and a destination festival to the global event industry; ✦ The "SAY YEAH" character becomes localized in the destinations it will reach, and contributes to brand awareness and values by reflecting these regions from its perspective. ✦ In regions where history and nature are blended, the venue and the artist match and bring them together with the audience. ✦ It highlights the cultural values unique to that region and designs harmonious activities. ✦ The universal communication tool uses the unifying power of music. ✦ It creates cinematic short films that will make the audience ebb and flow between the past and the present and offers a different perspective on digital marketing of destinations. And while doing all this, to strike out the caption of "differences created by the borders determined by the policies" and to prove that every society living in the world has countless cultural similarities and that the kilometers in between do not differentiate people that much.
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Accessible Romania by Sano Touring
11-12-2021
Our story goes back to 2013, when we were documenting for a European tourism project and learned that there was a market called “accessible tourism”. We were fascinated by everything we found out it has been done for a long time in the world for persons with disabilities, seniors or families traveling with young children. In December 2014, we took the risk, bet on accessible tourism and officially appeared Sano Touring as a licensed tour operator driven by the desire to put Romania on the map of barrier-free tourism. Seven years later, we are announcing our brand transformations: we became Accessible Romania by Sano Touring, a name that reflects our activity in supporting persons with disabilities, seniors and slow walkers in exploring and discovering our beautiful country, Romania. Accessible Romania by Sano Touring is about our core values and what we want to bring into the world. Trust, transparency, humanity, empathy and respect are some of the values that stand strong in our agency and make people connect more easily and deeply with us. What we have established with Accessible Romania by Sano Touring is unique, not for reasons of inclusive business, but mainly due to our motivations and drive. We would like to inspire more people in making journeys that will bring novelty in their lives. Romania kept a traditional side which is in a way unique in Europe and more people should be acquainted with our traditions and way of life. We bring Accessible Romania to the world!
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COMMUNITY BASED TOURISM
25-11-2021
Red Rocks initiatives for sustainable development have fulfilled the dream of ensuring communities are the direct beneficiaries of all our actions. All the activities go under the name of Eco-tour have been designed to work on local sustainable development through tourism and the collaboration of external partners. The Igihoho seed bag is one of these. This project idea came with Greg from Spain in 2016, and is implementing the governmental restriction on use and manufacturing of single-use plastic items, which were banned in 2008 and finally became law in 2019. For a long time already, these bags have represented a new norm for the region’s communities. They now regularly recycle the fibre of the abundant banana trees, and even before plastic was conclusively banned by law, they were experiencing the benefits and had introduced ecological alternatives for all their tree-planting activities. All the activities linked directly to the land, like local food preparation, farming with local families and beekeeping, and the botanical tours which can be taken in the Kinigi centre, are working in two directions: generating alternative income as well as educating the locals on the eco-friendly alternatives available, often from the same products that were considered as waste. Recycling, upcycling and other circular economy concepts are available to be explored and applied. In Red Rocks currently, the workshops on the use of banana eco-paper production, the Igihoho eco-friendly seed bag and even the banana beer preparation are excellent opportunities to maintain environmental sustainable activities while providing extra income for the people directly involved and, at the same time, bringing benefits to the local environment and to the community as a whole.
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Encuentro Académico: Rompiendo barreras por una educación inclusiva
15-11-2021
El evento es dirigido a académicos, estudiantes e investigadores del área turística que se encuentran en procesos de fomentar la inclusión en las instituciones educativas de nivel superior que impartan carreras afines al turismo. El programa consta de la participación de docentes que se han involucrado en los procesos de inclusión de alumnos con discapacidad en sus espacios los cuales presentan casos de estudio, análisis y resultados. Objetivos: Presentación del OITI: Reconocer la estructura organizacional del Instituto como propuesta del trabajo colaborativo. Intercambio de Experiencia: Compartir experiencias desde la vivencia del proceso de inclusión de PcD en los programas académicos de instituciones educativas universitarias así como los procesos de inserción de dichas temáticas en las retículas escolares. Bases y fundamento: Presentar los resultados de los cuestionarios aplicados por el observatorio como un referente documentado para la toma de decisiones en pro de la inclusión educativa. Directivos, personal docente, alumnado, investigadores y población en general. Alcance Participación desde diferentes perspectivas y contextos a través de los conversatorios. Difusión del conocimiento a través de la presentación de investigaciones asociadas al tema. Documentación y testigos de lo trabajado en este evento a través de una edición especial de la Revista Iberoamericana de Turismo Inclusivo.
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Modelo de Cuadro de Mando Integral para Prestadores Turisticos
15-11-2021
El sistema de gestión estratégica conocido como cuadro de mando integral sostenible es una herramienta administrativa que utiliza un sistema de indicadores de gestión financieros y no financieros, pretende un balance entre la medición de resultados, que reflejan el desempeño pasado, y la medición de variables o indicadores, que fijen el desempeño futuro. El propósito de este trabajo es diseñar un modelo de Cuadro de Mando Integral Sostenible que desarrolle e integre la planeación estratégica de los prestadores turísticos del municipio de San Antonio del Tequendama con los lineamientos del turismo sostenible, la calidad y la competitividad.
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Glasgow Declaration Launch during the COP26
02-11-2021

Join us for the Launch of the Glasgow Declaration during the COP26 in Glasgow!

The Declaration, developed by a collaborative group of leading organizations, is an urgent call for all stakeholders to commit to a decade of climate action in tourism. The signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism are committing to act now and accelerate climate action to cut global tourism emissions by at least a half over the next decade and reach Net Zero emissions as soon as possible before 2050. In particular, each signatory will commit to deliver a concrete climate action plan, or updated plan, within 12 months of signing. Plans will be aligned with the proposed pathways of measurement, decarbonisation, regeneration, collaboration and financing that will accelerate tourism’s ability to transform. The Declaration will be officially launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26)
  • Date: 4 November
  • Time: 10:00 -11:45 (UK Time)
  • Venue:  Blue Zone- Climate Action Room 1
Watch the event on demand: HERE 
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swing
31-10-2021
Iran's tallest natural swing in the southernmost region of Lorestan province
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swing
31-10-2021
Iran's tallest natural swing in the southernmost region of Lorestan province
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Explorer’s themed trail (Forscherparcours) Alp Flix
17-09-2021
The Forscherparcours is a themed trail on the subject of biodiversity in Parc Ela, Switzerland's largest nature park. Professor Fix takes children and their families on adventure through the moors on Alp Flix. The trail includes six stops where kids can use the researcher’s kit and diary to observe the surrounding nature. With the utensils from the kit, families can cast animal tracks or build a water wheel. Puzzles, a spider hoover and a beaker magnifying glass allow children to explore the creatures in the water, in the bog and in the fields. The researcher's diary accompanies the young researchers on their hunt. It also contains background information on Alp Flix, its valuable habitats and the origins of this magnificent moor landscape. The texts invite the children to take a closer look and teaches them about nature’ riches. The course leads along existing paths. Simple information boards have been set up on site. 2 additional aids are installed each summer with minimal intervention. The trail can also be visited without a kit. The trail was created more than 10 years ago and is still more popular than ever. For the Parc Ela Association, it is a classic environmental education and awareness-raising project, with the emphasis on inviting people to take a closer look. "Only what you know, will you love – only what you love, will you protect" is the logic behind it. This also generates the understanding not to enter the lake, which is located in the marshland of national importance. The kit is produced in ARGO, a workshop for the integration of people with disabilities, and sold for CHF 38.
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Peace through Tourism Festival
14-09-2021
The Peace through Tourism Festival starts on 21st September - International Day of Peace - and culminates on 27th September - World Tourism Day. The event itself thus symbolically represent a bridge between tourism and peace. A unique event concept for a festival organised by the IIPT-Iran Chapter in collaboration with many Iranian and international public and private organisations. Among others: the Iran Association of Women in Tourism, the National Museum of the Islamic Revolution and Holy Defense, the Iran Association of Expert in Tourism, Tehran Peace Museum as well as the Global Peace Forum (UK) , Villa Rendano (Italy). Fabio Carbone and his team in Tehran prepared the first edition of the Festival that count with numerous participants for the seminars, workshops and master classes included in the program. The opening session will count with the presence of Taleb Rifai, former Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization, IIPT Chairman and International Advisory Board and Louis d'Amore, the director and founder of the IIPT. The session will be opened by the performance of the Italian pianist Daniela Roma, from the United States, and the Iranian guitarist Mahan Malek, from Iran. According to the creator of the event concept, Fabio Carbone, IIPT global ambassador and IIPT special envoy for Iran: "Tourism continues to be seen almost exclusively as a vehicle for economic development, neglecting the social aspect of the phenomenon, therefore its potential as a promoter of dialogue, global understanding and peace. The IIPT globally promotes the idea of a 'Higher Purpose of Tourism" through initiatives that raise awareness of the public and private sector and travelers themselves. In this particular period of strong geopolitical instability, and the insecurity perceived by each of us worldwide, the optimistic message and the appeal to actively contribute to the creation of a more just world therefore assumes fundamental importance ".
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Online-Symposium: From Obligation to Aspiration - Supply Chain Laws and Tourism
07-09-2021
2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the endorsement of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). Since then, they are progressively integrated into policies and legal frameworks by an increasing number of governments. National supply chain laws and the discussion about regulation at EU level are leading to uncertainty among many companies about the obligations they will have to face. This Symposium is about turning the gaze forward and will build the business case for human rights due diligence in tourism, with or without legal obligations. In a solution-oriented multi-stakeholder setting, this online event offers practical "satellite" discussions around supply chain laws and due diligence for a holistic human rights approach: Understand the domino effect: Why value chain laws are relevant for every tourism business, including SMEs and what they imply concretely We will get an overview of existing and future supply chain laws and frame them on a globalised market to understand what these legislative processes (such as the new German Supply Chain Act) include and what impact they will have on existing and future business practices. Look on the bright side: Why there is always a business case of human rights due diligence We will investigate why business respect for human rights in tourism is more than compliance or a requirement to "do no harm", and elaborate on how it contributes to positive and transformative change in people's lives and sustainable development. Join forces: How we must and can work together We will deep-dive into practice examples on some essential due diligence features and relevant topics for tourism businesses and explore possibilities to tackle challenges that might appear on their due diligence journey.
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Earth-Changers.com
07-09-2021
Earth Changers promote the best positive impact, regenerative, sustainable tourism for people to find & book trips that truly change the world. We feature life-changing places, with world-changing people, for extraordinary experiences with purpose. Launched in 2017, we were authorised by the UNWTO as a solution for sustainable tourism for development for the UN designated year #2017. As far as we know, we were the first commercial organisation to write about the intersection of tourism and the SDGs. Purpose: We start with the Why? Impact-led deep content to connect with motivations and educate minds. Why people do what they do in the places they do it? Learn about the reasons for their drive and the impact on communities, conservation and big world issues, and how tourism intersects with each of the SDGs, People: We put people in the middle - the human stories behind amazing places. How did they come to do what they do, why, and what impact does it have on lives? Be inspired by stories of unsung heroes. Places: We discern and feature seriously sustainable special places implementing best practice from around the world. - Where can you go and what can you do to create positive impacts through tourism for sustainable development? We inspire to experience. Blog: We talk about sustainable tourism: what it is, how to break it down, what to consider. Follow along! On a B2B basis, we also offer sustainable tourism & marketing consultancy, and a 17 week course on aligning Travel & The SDGs.
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Mentoring Team for Tetebatu Village To Win at Best Tourism Villages 2021 by UNWTO
07-09-2021
West Nusa Tenggara Province is one of the provinces which will represent Indonesia at Best Tourism Villages 2021 by UNWTO. One of the villages which will represent Indonesia at the event is Tetebatu Village, located at Sikur sub-district, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. The villagers stated that they are ready to provide the best for Indonesia. Tetebatu Village will do their utmost to ensure that their community-based tourism which empowers the community to provide opportunity by safeguarding local traditions, environment, and heritage. Tetebatu Village is supported by a mentoring team that has been formed by the Tourism Office of West Nusa Tenggara to take on the role of structuring and coaching on many items which will be evaluated for the event. "Let's straighten our intentions to support our province; West Nusa Tenggara to succeed in this Tourism Villages by UNWTO competition. West Nusa Tenggara is the representative of Indonesia. There is a noble task and it is a big responsibility for us to make the nation proud in the world," said the Head of the province Tourism Office, Yusron Hadi after inaugurating the formation of the Tetebatu Tourism Village Winning Team, Monday (30/8) in Mataram. The Tetebatu Tourism Village Mentoring Team will work and support Tetebatu Village preparing all aspects assessed by UNWTO (United Nation World Tourism Organization) assessors for the best village 2021 competition. "The team will work hand in hand with the community more intensely to monitor, including reporting on the progress of improving Tetebatu Village to ensure they got all items which need to be highlighted to UNWTO assessors has the right standard or even exceed the standard as we have many value propositions on our village. Even though Tetebatu has stated that it is ready to compete, there are many aspects that need to be improved to make it perfect,” said Yusron enthusiastically. ( Resource: https://beritanasional.id )
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Cultural Tourism uplifting the local economy
07-09-2021
Local experiences are an upcoming trend when it comes to traveling. Local customs and traditions become more important to travelers. They want to immerse themselves in the country’s culture. More people are leaving all-inclusive resorts and are shifting towards real experiences with locals. It is interesting for these people to go off the beaten path and focus on CBT activities. Travelers nowadays want to feel and understand the destination. It has changed people’s perspectives on how they travel around. They do not just want to visit tourist spots anymore. ‘Off the beaten path and recommendations from locals’ were in the top five when it comes to value and exploration. These two aspects are highly considered when people are planning a trip. It also illustrated that ‘museums, historical sites, arts, and culture’ are one of the top five inspirations for travelers.
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2nd Press Release of Pro-Women - Upskilling Itineraries Up-skilling Itineraries for Women as New Cultural Promoters to Enhance Territorial Heritage
19-08-2021
Pro-Women – Up-skilling Itineraries for Women as New Cultural Promoters to Enhance Territorial Heritage is an Erasmus+ KA2 project that wants to promote equal opportunities and social-labour inclusion of the low-skilled and unemployed women by providing intervention tools for training and empowerment. The target group has undertaken a participative learning path to strengthen their competencies and acquire new ones, with the final aim of supporting their employability in the Tourism sector. The project challenge is to operate in sustainable tourism. Therefore, this sector must increasingly be approached with a view of enhancing the cultural and environmental heritage, namely the legacy which includes tangible and intangible culture, as well as natural heritage (landscapes, biodiversity, etc.). The 2nd press release of the project has been published! Take a look and find out about the exciting last steps of the project before its completion at the end of October 2021. The partners involved in Pro-Women project are: - Cooperativa Sociale San Saturnino Onlus - Italy (coordinator) - Obiettivo Famiglia / Federcasalinghe - Italy - Center for Social Innovation CSI - Cyprus - WISAMAR - Germany - Ayuntamiento de Torrijos - Spain - OSENGO - France
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Empowering Women through Tourism: A Handbook for Educators & Trainers
18-08-2021
This Handbook was developed in the context of the Erasmus+ project Pro-Women - Up-skilling Itineraries for Women as New Cultural Promoters to Enhance Territorial Heritage (www.prowomen-project.eu). It aims at helping professionals (educators, trainers) working with women in a vulnerable situation to develop learning activities and make their up-skilling and to promote their employability in the tourism sector. The Handbook provides suggestions on how to work with vulnerable women, while emphasizing at the same time the individuality of each person. It also contains information on how to effectively communicate, listen and engage, observe, promote and enable, mobilise resources, assess and plan. It is a holistic reference point of the project objectives as a whole, while simultaneously utilizing all the resources that have been developed within the project duration. One innovative element of this Output is that it offers tools and exercises that help identify the specific challenges of each woman in a vulnerable position and thus to assess their actual needs in order to adapt the intervention paths and perspectives to the real needs of the individual. This is reflected in the belief that women do not comprise a homogeneous group or category; they face different challenges and thus it is crucial to try and understand their situation and their specific needs in order to formulate appropriate plans of action. Lastly, the methodological approach of the Handbook is focused on the perspectives that form the basis for empowerment of the work with women in vulnerable situations, namely: • a gender perspective • an anti-discriminatory perspective • an anti-oppressive perspective • an anti-racist perspective • a users’ perspective.
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The Global Goals for Tourism
05-08-2021
With an on-demand course covering every SDG, we’ll guide you to understand and apply these goals to your destination. The aim is simple: to support the industry’s sustainable development. Grow Sustainably: We will look into each SDG, presenting best practices and relevant examples whilst building a roadmap to tackle each goal and successfully progress in sustainable development, as an organisation, and as a unified industry. Access data: Learn the intrinsic meaning of each SDG, access the latest key statistics and how these are targeted and measured. Learn from others: Be inspired by best practices and leading examples worldwide, to discover how each SDG can be applied in tourism. Plan for Action: Get concrete recommendations on how to support each SDG and understand how it interlinks with the other goals. Online: On demand + live, 17 training modules delivered in micro-lessons, complete with cases and guidance to develop focused indicators. Develop Together: Co-design a path towards sustainable future, defining common challenges and sharing knowledge. + Bonus Research Track Led by Birthe Menke, this additional part of the programme taps into strengths, challenges and opportunities in the Tourism Industry and set the basis for a forward-looking transformation, based on Collaborative Design. Get together, exchange ideas and thoughts with key industry players, co-create and taking advantage of a moment when the industry slows down to fully prepare for the future. Your Presenters Vicky Smith - Founder of Earth Changers and expert in sustainable tourism. Nick Hall - Founder and CEO of Digital Tourism Think Tank and expert in Destination transformation. Birthe Menke - PhD Fellow in Sustainable Tourism Development and Tourism Co-Design. Dates: Starts September 2021. Runs for 17 weeks, with breaks, ending January 2022
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Tourism and Technology Summit Africa
05-08-2021
AFRICA AS A SMART TOURISM DESTINATION Smart tourism refers to the application of information and communication technology for developing innovative tools in tourism. It supports integrated efforts at a destination to find innovative ways to collect and use data derived from physical infrastructure, social connectedness and organizational sources (both government and non-government),and users in combination with advanced technologies to increase efficiency, sustainability, experiences. The information and communication technology tools used for smart tourism include IoT, mobile communication, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. It combines physical, informational, social, and commercial infrastructure of tourism with such tools to provide smart tourism opportunities. The principles of smart tourism lie at enhancing tourism experiences, improve the efficiency of resource management, maximize destination competitiveness with an emphasis on sustainable aspects. It should also gather and distribute information to facilitate efficient allocation of tourism resources and integrate tourism supplies at a micro and macro level ensuring that the benefits are well distributed. A lot is happening in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality space in Africa and post covid-19 the shift which has occurred cannot be ignored, Technology is now the centrepoint of many organisations operating in the sector so says Clara Chinwe Okoro Founder and COO at My Beautiful Africa a Travel Tech Company based in Lagos Nigeria and organisers of the Tourism and Technology Summit Africa.
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Earth-Changers.com
05-08-2021
Earth Changers promote the best positive impact, regenerative, sustainable tourism for people to find & book trips that truly change the world. We feature life-changing places, with world-changing people, for extraordinary experiences with purpose. Launched in 2017, we were authorised by the UNWTO as a solution for sustainable tourism for development for the UN designated year #2017. As far as we know, we were the first commercial organisation to write about the intersection of tourism and the SDGs. In 2019 we won Travelmole's Best Responsible Travel and Tourism website and were invited to be an Ambassador for the UK Government DEFRA environment's department's Year of Green Action. Other recognition includes awards for social enterprise, content and regular speaking engagements and inclusion in media such as the BBC, Forbes and Conde Nast. Purpose: We start with the Why? Impact-led deep content to connect with motivations and educate minds. Why people do what they do in the places they do it? Learn about the reasons for their drive and the impact on communities, conservation and big world issues, and how tourism intersects with each of the SDGs, People: We put people in the middle - the human stories behind amazing places. How did they come to do what they do, why, and what impact does it have on lives? Be inspired by stories of unsung heroes. Places: We discern and feature seriously sustainable special places implementing best practice from around the world. - Where can you go and what can you do to create positive impacts through tourism for sustainable development? We inspire to experience. Blog: We talk about sustainable tourism: what it is, how to break it down, what to consider. Follow along! On a B2B basis, we also offer sustainable tourism & marketing consultancy, and a 17 week course on aligning Travel & The SDGs.
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Earth-Changers.com
05-08-2021
Earth Changers promote the best positive impact, regenerative, sustainable tourism for people to find & book trips that truly change the world. We feature life-changing places, with world-changing people, for extraordinary experiences with purpose. Launched in 2017, we were authorised by the UNWTO as a solution for sustainable tourism for development for the UN designated year #2017. As far as we know, we were the first commercial organisation to write about the intersection of tourism and the SDGs. Purpose: We start with the Why? Impact-led deep content to connect with motivations and educate minds. Why people do what they do in the places they do it? Learn about the reasons for their drive and the impact on communities, conservation and big world issues, and how tourism intersects with each of the SDGs, People: We put people in the middle - the human stories behind amazing places. How did they come to do what they do, why, and what impact does it have on lives? Be inspired by stories of unsung heroes. Places: We discern and feature seriously sustainable special places implementing best practice from around the world. - Where can you go and what can you do to create positive impacts through tourism for sustainable development? We inspire to experience. Blog: We talk about sustainable tourism: what it is, how to break it down, what to consider. Follow along! On a B2B basis, we also offer sustainable tourism & marketing consultancy, and a 17 week course on aligning Travel & The SDGs.
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Swing
04-08-2021
Swing in nature of LORESTAN_IRAN
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CUBES – CUltural Administration Boosting with the Engagement of Sustainability for the local communities
04-08-2021
CUBES - CUltural administration Boosting with the Engagement of Sustainability for local communities- is a European funded Erasmus+ project, established in in November 2019. CUBES derives from the need to create and disseminate know-how regarding the sustainable administration of tangible and intangible cultural resources in order to really empower all sectors of society, aiming at both cultural democracy and cultural sustainability. This kind of empowerment could foster grassroots ownership of cultural assets, gradually enabling the administration of cultural resources within a sustainability framework. The CUBES project consists of 5 Intellectual Outputs. The Intellectual Output - Cultural Administration and Sustainability Boosters Curriculum is a Competency-based Curriculum, an e-Learning training program, that is now available online, offered to the wider public focusing on the acquirement of knowledge on cultural initiatives. This online learning program encourages stakeholders to learn theoretical and practical information in regard to the cultural administration and contemporary approaches to sustainability of cultural resources. CUBES curriculum has been formulated upon the following main subjects: 1) Project Management 2) Community Involvement & Networking 3) Marketing Cultural Work 4) Fundraising for Culture In parallel, the third Intellectual Output includes the development of the CUBES Online Learning Environment, where users will be able to find the online modules, participate in learning activities, use assessment tools to evaluate their performance and communicate with other learners and instructors, as well as the CUBES Mobile Application, accessible for downloading through the project’s platform and all major mobile platforms. Discover more about CUBES on our website: http://cubesproject.eu/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cubes-eu Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erasmuscubes
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cham
31-07-2021
swing in the most pretty regain in LORESTAN
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Iran Eco Adventure Tours
30-07-2021
Iran Eco Adventure is the brand name of incoming tours and a division of Spilet Alborz Eco Adventures Co. It’s an Iran-based company and for over 15 years we’ve been made memories and trips for people who love outdoor activities and hiking, have a passion for travel, and have a bucket list of exciting adventures. Our travel experience runs deep, from years mountaineering and traveling like Iran to research trips and just bouncing around every corner of the country. This deep experience is the reason behind our pioneering approach to winning itineraries. Whether you’ve taken many trips or you’re tying up for the first time, we design and offer everything in the tour program according to your needs. Our tours offer a variety of adventure activities ranging from Eco tours, hiking, trekking, and biking to alpine skiing and desert safari. With the same meticulous approach, Spilet Alborz; our brand for domestic and outbound tours introduced many Iranians to the natural beauties of many destinations in Africa, South Asia, Indochina, Australia, and Amazon. Spilet Alborz is currently the sole provider of various climbing tours in the Himalayas, Alps, Kilimanjaro, Caucasus, Pamir, and the Tian Shan, Karakoram, Ararat, and many other destinations. Also for the first time in Iran, we established Damavand Eco Camp. It consists of two camps at the North face of Mt. Damavand named Base Camp and Advanced Camp. Damavand is the highest mountain in the Middle East. The Eco Camp offers standard and high-quality services to Damavand climbers. Giving you the joy of adventure in numerous locations of our beautiful country under our proficiency steam is what our company mission is all about and we pride ourselves on our knowledge of destinations and our dedication to nature. www.iranecoadventure.com | www.damavandcamp.com | info@iranecoadventure.com
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GOOD Awaits - The Regenerative Tourism New Zealand Podcast
20-07-2021
GOOD Awaits - The Regenerative Tourism New Zealand podcast is a platform for the collective discovery of what regenerative tourism means and to prompt discussion around the way tourism is being “reimagined” in Aotearoa New Zealand. The GOOD Awaits podcast is designed for listeners who work in the tourism and hospitality sector, for anyone interested in regenerative practices, and in particular for people who are looking to begin their regenerative tourism journey. It is intended to be accessible and inspiring both for New Zealanders interested in the future of tourism, and for a global audience, acknowledging New Zealand’s leading role in this movement. The GOOD Awaits podcast aims to:
  • Expand regenerative thinking to a wider travel and tourism audience in New Zealand and globally
  • Provide foundational knowledge for communities and operators of what regenerative tourism and regenerative thinking is
  • Provide a platform to elevate the voices of tourism professionals, businesses, communities and regions who are pioneers of regenerative tourism principles and practices, especially indigenous and minority voices
  • Raise questions about the current model of tourism and why we need a paradigm shift to regenerative thinking in tourism
  • Inspire tourism providers and hosts in New Zealand and globally to start this journey towards regenerative practices in their communities
  • Create an engaged community of people who are on this journey together
  • Showcase an emerging model of tourism in New Zealand
The first season of the podcast is in progress, with 10 episodes recorded and over 1400 downloads of the first 8 episodes from over 40 countries. A second season of another 10 episodes is planned to continue these important and inspiring conversations.
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Held_chamsuz
14-07-2021
Travel to the Strait of Held and Chamsuz KHOZESTAN_LORESTAN, IRAN
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Held_chamsuz
14-07-2021
Travel to the Strait of Held and Chamsuz KHOZESTAN_LORESTAN, IRAN
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Accessibility and Inclusive Tourism Development in Nature Areas - Compendium of Best Practices
14-07-2021
This publication was developed within the framework of the Working Group on Accessible Tourism, coordinated by the UNWTO Affiliate Members Department and chaired by the Spanish Network for Accessible Tourism (RedEstable). Its aim is to create an accessible pathway in nature, from which to descry a new approach for inclusive tourism development in natural areas, conceiving nature as the original space that integrated our full diversity. The growing demand for natural-based tourism is reshaping people's travel lifestyle, more interested in lower impact trips as a response to the the climate emergency context we are living in. The negative impact of tourism peaks on destinations and the SARS-COV-2 pandemic are added factors that have developed a desire to escape from urban environments and find more immersive and sustainable experiences in nature. Tourism based in natural spaces will therefore keep attracting visitors of all kind, reason why the shall be designed considering everyone's needs, placing people and universal design principles at the core of all nature-based tourism products and services. This compilation of best practices, developed by members of the Working Group on Accessible Tourism and other entities with expertise and knowledge in this field, and the conclusive recommendations, are a joint effort showcasing case studies that provide innovative, inclusive and sustainable solutions ensuring access to nature for all. This publication also raises awareness on a fundamental mission for the tourism sector, namely: making tourism development in nature areas more inclusive and accessible for all, taking into account that nature areas are - by its own characteristics - extra challenging when it comes to making them accessible.
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Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals. The role of Latin American universities: Results, progress and new challenges
14-07-2021
Tourism is a sector that can contribute, directly or indirectly, to the achievement of all SDGs, and in this context, the WTO (2016) has developed a guide recommending a course of action, which indicates the “creation and dissemination of knowledge” and "institutional training and education”. Particularly universities, among other institutions, are encouraged to disseminate how sustainable tourism contributes to the development of countries, the tools that can be applied to measure the impacts of tourism, and the educational policies that can be promoted. It is important to point out, in order to meet the SDGs, that progress has been made, but in general, the actions aimed at achieving such goals are not yet developing as quickly as necessary. In addition, it cannot be ignored that the COVID-19 pandemic will have a strong impact and will require a review of compliance strategies. This is how the UN has appealed to enter the so-called “decade of action” (UN, 2020). Within this framework, this exploratory research will be developed to analyse the contribution of universities concerning tourism and the application of the SDGs, with a focus on Argentina and Brazil during the 2015-2020 period. To achieve this goal, surveys will be carried out in the academic field together with a compilation and analysis of documents produced and formally disseminated from the selected universities. The research project will be carried out within the framework of the consolidated universities network USAL-UADER-UFSM network (Argentina and Brazil), it will have a four-stage structure, it will make use of new technologies for the meeting of the research group and the application of surveys. Finally, the results (expected to 2023) will be will be shared with other universities through an international meeting to be held in virtual mode. The Research Team: Claudia Toselli (USAL, Argentina. General Co-ordination of the project) Luciana Davi Traverso (UFSM, Brazil. Academic Co-ordination of the project for Brazil) Andrea Takáts (UADER, Argentina – Principal Researcher) Adriana Ten Hoeve (USAL, Argentina – Principal Researcher) Caroline Ciliane Ceretta (UFSM, Brazil– Principal Researcher) Marcelo Ribeiro (UFSM, Brazil– Assistant Researcher) María Martha Lucano (USAL, Argentina - Assistant Researcher) Irene Aguer (UADER, Argentina – Assistant Researcher) Tiago Zardin Patias (UFSM, Brazil– Assistant Researcher)
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Global Survey of Climate Action in Tourism
29-06-2021
UNWTO is inviting public and private stakeholders from around the world to take part in a Global Survey of Climate Action in Tourism and help identify frontrunning initiatives and opportunities to accelerate climate action in tourism. Launched on World Environment Day, the survey aims to support the ongoing efforts of the sector to reduce its environmental impacts and carbon emissions, as well as to strengthen its capacity to adapt to a changing climate. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “The pandemic and its impact on tourism, jobs and revenues, offers an unprecedented reminder of the need to rebalance our relationship with people, planet and prosperity. The green transformation of the sector is needed, not just for the planet, but also for tourism itself, boosting competitiveness and increasing resilience.” The Global Survey is part of the preparations for the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 and the results will be presented in November 2021 in Glasgow. It has been developed within the framework of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme. The survey is open until 15 July 2021 and destinations, businesses and tourism associations are all invited to take part. Please find more information on the survey here  
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TOURISM WEEK AND HACKATOUR 2021 - 17 STEPS TO TRANSFORMING THE WORLD
22-06-2021
The Tourism Week is a multidisciplinary academic scientific event promoted annually by professors and students in the area of Tourism field of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of São Paulo – Campus Cubatão (Brazil), due to the celebration of the World Tourism Day, promoting activities with the aim of understanding, stimulating, foment and disseminating critical reflections on how tourist activity enhances new opportunities for development and sustainability. In 2021, the program of activities will be dynamic (September to December) and will cover each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the Agenda 2030. The theme of the event is in line with the understanding of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) that the tourism as a transversal activity with profound social ramifications is an engine for positive change. As an integrated activity, a Hackatour will be organized, an event for the popularization of science, technology and innovation, with the aim of bringing together and integrating participants in work out in real problems/challenges in the tourism sector, heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting ideas and innovative solutions that embrace the 17 SDGs for a more resilient and sustainable tourism. Join us into the 17 steps to transforming the world!  
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Webinar: Covid-19 and Green Economic Recovery: What Roles for Sustainable Tourism?
21-06-2021

World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade in Services and Investment Division, jointly with Trade and Environment Division, have the pleasure of inviting you to a webinar on:

Covid-19 and Green Economic Recovery:

What Roles for Sustainable Tourism?

Tuesday, 22 June 2021, 16.30-18:15 (CET) – Zoom platform

  The main objective of the high-level panel discussion is the knowledge exchange on 'Building Back Better in Tourism'. With the objective of a responsible recovery of tourism, the panel of experts will exchange insights on how to improve the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the tourism sector through, in particular, responsible trade and investment. Achieving sustainable tourism requires constant monitoring of impacts moving away from traditional measures to new indicators that include the environmental and social dimension in addition to the economic measurement. For registration and further details, please click on the links below: WTO | COVID-19 and Green Economic Recovery: What Roles for Sustainable Tourism? Please register here This event will be livestreamed at: https://youtu.be/z4rNfy0_ctU
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Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO
18-06-2021
UNWTO is recognizing villages across the world that are committed to the promotion and preservation of their cultural heritage and sustainable development through tourism. The initiative of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will identify villages taking innovative and transformative approaches to tourism in rural areas in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the vision of making tourism a positive force for transformation, rural development and community wellbeing, ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ aims to maximize the contribution of the sector to reducing regional inequalities and fighting against rural depopulation. It also seeks to advance the role of tourism in valuing and safeguarding rural villages along with their associated landscapes, knowledge systems, biological and cultural diversity, local values and activities, including gastronomy. The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative aims to recognize those villages which is are outstanding examples of rural tourism destinations with recognized cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote community based values, products and lifestyle and have a clear commitment to sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental with the fundamental aim of making tourism one of the drivers of positive transformation, rural development and community well-being.
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Via Francigena. Road to Rome 2021. Start again!
07-06-2021
Via Francigena. Road to Rome 2021. Start again! is a relay march along the 3200 km of the Via Francigena pilgrimage route. A group of travelers will walk and cycle through all stages of the route, crossing England, France, Switzerland and Italy. Organized by the European Association of Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) with its network of partners and friends, the march relaunches sustainable and cultural tourism in response to the pandemic. It also aims to support the Via Francigena (VF) candidacy to the UNESCO World Heritage List, celebrate the foundation of EAVF, and the 27th anniversary of the recognition of the Francigena as a "Cultural Route of the Council of Europe", granted in 1994. The growing number of slow travelers all over the world shows a trend towards practicing cultural and sustainable tourism. The VF pilgrimage merges the positive impacts of proximity tourism with those of slow tourism to create a sustainable model. On the one hand, it supports a form of rural tourism focused on local economies and cultures while contrasting mass tourism trends that overexploit few macro destinations (SDG 11). On the other hand, slow tourism is a form of carbon-neutral and responsible tourism that avoids polluting transportation while prioritizing local habitats and communities (SDG 12). The European Association of Via Francigena Ways acts as a promoter and policymaker in the economic and socio-cultural development of the route, boosting job creation and the value of local cultures (SDG 8), and encourages multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development (SDG 17). How can you join? - The group will depart on the 16th of June 2021 from Canterbury, km 0 of the route, will arrive in Rome on the 10th of September and in Santa Maria di Leuca on the 18th of October 2021. Join us with your local hiking club to walk with us! - Contribute to our crowdfunding campaign (see links) - If we cross your town, help us find hospitality and organize events!
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WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU CAN'T TRAVEL ABROAD
25-05-2021
What do you do when you can’t travel abroad? You look for local options! Domestic tourism has been the answer to some young travelers in Africa looking for an adventure amid the pandemic. Covid crisis has exposed Africa’s dependence on foreign travelers. In Cameroon for example a lot of hotels were obliged to close because no one were visiting? Why? Because most of the facilities are made for foreigners. A lot of locals don't have the financial means to travel and live real touristic experiences here. And this is why I'm here. To curate the best places to visit and teach you about how to save money while organising your trips in Cameroon. Domestic tourism can help the sector recover. So let's do it , let's make domestic tourism great again.
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Gonçalves Turismo
11-05-2021
Gonçalves Turismo has as its proposal the valorization of the historical patrimony of the city of São Sebastião, the preservation of the environment and actions for the development and distribution of equal income through sustainable tourism, in addition to following the guidelines of the 2030 SDG agenda. Gonçalves Turismo develops tourist itineraries that aim to value local cultural aspects, between material heritage, intangible heritage and natural heritage, working on the development of the local productive arrangement with the generation of local jobs and income distribution. We have partners who help us in the development of local activities, uniting the community and the tourist, thinking about sustainability. For each activity we have strategic partners from the community.
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Earth's Edge
29-04-2021
Porter Scholarship Programme: We believe it is essential that all our staff get the opportunity to progress in their chosen careers. Each year on Kilimanjaro we reward one of our hardworking porters by paying for their training to become a guide. The course which costs USD$900, is far beyond the means of most porters who make roughly USD$115 including tips per climb. After they feed and house their families, there is very little money left at the end of the month, which makes attending guide school themselves virtually impossible. Once they qualify as guides their pay with tips will increase to roughly USD$220, which means they will have much more disposable income to feed and educate their families. Another fantastic benefit of this programme is that it has fostered a healthy sense of competition amongst the porters which has led to even better levels of service on the mountain! In May 2019 two of our porters Fuso (2018 winner) and Thomas (2019 winner) qualified as guides. Established in 2007, Earth’s Edge is a small business based in Dublin, Ireland. We offer high altitude trekking, mountaineering, and our signature tri-adventure expeditions in some of the most stunning locations in the world. We are the only company in the world who send an international guide and doctor on all expeditions while keeping group sizes sustainably small. Sending an international guide and doctor allows us to deliver an unrivalled level of safety and service for each and every one of our clients. Having smaller group sizes brings a lot of advantages including better guide to client ratios, reduced environmental impact and stronger team dynamics. While our main focus is on safety and your experience with us, we also have a robust responsible travel policy encompassing the environment, communities and people we work with. This allows us to achieve our mission of providing you with a life changing experience while being kind to the planet and her people.
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Impact+
23-04-2021
By now, most people know climate change is one of the most challenging problems our society will face, with consequences being felt already today. In fact, 2020 was, along with 2016, the joint hottest year on record (source: WMO) — closing out the warmest decade on record. The global average temperatures reached about 1.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. All this is making us get uncomfortably close to the 1.5 degrees C cap on average warming that governments committed to aiming for when they signed the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Isn’t it eye-opening? Although this is a worldwide issue that should be addressed by different agents with a comprehensive range of different solutions based on co-creation, everyone has a role to play. Everyone, every government, and every company. In fact, we believe that businesses have a critical role to play in the transition to a low-carbon economy by reducing their GHG emissions in an economically sustainable way. Which is why we decided to do our part. We committed to be Net Zero by 2030 and we launched our strategy to achieve that goal. We would like to share it with you today!
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THE PERFORATED DESTINATION MODEL: An Economic Leakage Litmus Test for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with a tourism dependency
21-04-2021
Tourism has become the backbone of many economies especially in Small Island Developing States, such as those in the Caribbean or South Pacific. However, a phenomenon known as Tourism Leakage is preventing tourism-dependent states from maximizing the economic benefits because the retention rate of tourist dollars is as high as 80% in some cases. While Tourism Leakage (TL) is not an unknown term, there is a lot of debate on fundamental issues such as its definition and measurability. To minimize Tourism Leakage, key decision makers must know where the tourist dollars are being “leaked”, and to what extent. However, getting an exact figure on the rate of TL is both time and resource consuming, and virtually impossible to calculate. Therefore, this study will use a case study approach to create a Tourism Leakage Litmus Test (known as the Perforated Destination Model), which gives an approximate indication of the economic leakages of tourism in a relatively quick manner. Furthermore, a theoretical model will be applied to two separate cases: The Turks and Caicos Islands, and The Cook Islands in order to assess if the model can be customized. It concludes that a theoretical model is possible; however, specific stakeholders are required to participate in order to gain a credible and more accurate picture of Tourism Leakage in an island destination. This model is most linked to the SDG Agenda through target 8.9, which states, “devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products by 2030” and target 12.B that declares, “to develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products."
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Clio Muse Tours Is Among the Winners of the UNWTO SDGs Global Startup Competition
14-04-2021
Clio Muse Tours has been selected as one of the 25 winners from 18 countries at the UNWTO SDGs Global Startup Competition for its widespread ability to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The innovative Greek startup was selected out of 10,000 initial proposals from all regions across the globe achieving a great place in a list of innovative entrepreneurs. “The winners show the power of new ideas for transforming our sector”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili adding that “by embracing innovation, we can realize this potential and build a better future for people and planet through tourism. I congratulate them all and look forward to seeing these startups grow and deliver positive change.” Specifically, Clio Muse Tours was selected for generating the greatest impact in the “Decent work and economic growth” goal (SDG8). The reason why the company stood out among other similar solutions is mainly because of the company’s robust business model that promotes sustainable practices and also empowers professionals in the tourism and culture industries. “We have worked hard to develop a business plan that empowers professionals of the tourism and the culture sectors and at the same time promotes sustainable practices in tourism. We are confident that we can replicate our successful business model in any country and help professionals in tourism and culture grow through the unlimited availability of self-guided audio tours and their upselling potential,” says Andreas Fatouros, Clio Muse Tours’ CEO. The company creates and sells audio tours to travelers on its own e-shop and through the world’s online marketplaces and Online Travel Agencies. At the same time through its technological tools and platform Clio Muse assists professionals of the tourism and the cultural industries with B2B solutions to promote different aspects of our global cultural heritage to an international audience with low-cost customer acquisition strategies.
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Greener Act
14-04-2021
Greener Act is the first ever App, which allows travellers to make positive changes by engaging in community projects and to support local causes, in order to create a more sustainable world. Our mission is to improve the livelihood of local communities and protect the natural environment, while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, by Travelling and Acting in a more Sustainable way. Greener Act for Travellers: Once you have downloaded Greener Act and registered as a Traveller, you will start your sustainable journey. The more you engage, the more you will be able to raise your sustainable profile, starting as a ‘Greener Carer’ with 100 points, then reaching the status of ‘Greener Helper’ with 5.000 points, then reaching the status of ‘Greener Defender’ with 10.000 points and finally reaching the top level of a ‘Greener Activist’ with 20.000 points. You can now manifest your interest in participating in any local projects known as ‘Greener Events’, just by clicking the option “interested” and contribute to community development and environmental protection. You can also support any local charities which are close to your heart by donating towards ‘Greener Causes’. Greener Act does not take any commission on this transaction, as we believe that Sustainability is about transparency. Greener Act for Organisations: Showcase the good practices of your organisation and link them to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. Define your own KPI’s (Key Performance Indicator) for your Greener Events so that you can start measuring effectively your positive impact on the environment. Create your own ‘Greener Cause’ so that you can support local charities which are close to your heart. Receive monthly reporting through dynamic dashboards for your own CSR reporting and share them on all social media. Measure your employee’s engagement and find out “who” is the Greener employee of the month. Create your own Cluster
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Ikaalisten Matkatoimisto Oy
06-04-2021
Ikaalisten Matkatoimisto Oy (IMT) is a family owned finnish travel agent and a tour operator. We provide leisure travel packages to finnish customers. Our travel destinations are mostly picked from near countries of Finland, like Baltic and Nordic countries. We believe that by educating our customers about the local cultures, environment, and nature we enforce tolerance, equality, and sustainability. We believe that travel is one key to broader world view. On our company core, it’s written that we want to be a responsible company in every level of our operations. We have always been looking to work with responsible and sustainable partners. When choosing partners, for example, transportation or activities, we always value responsibility higher than price. For example, we have put in our effort to create bus routes for our customers' needs, so that they would have an alternative to their own car travelling. New buses are of course more expensive and more comfortable, but also way much more environmentally friendly than old ones. Actually, with the smart and efficient usage of new buses and routes, we can even beat average train transportation on environmental friendliness! During the Covid-19 crises we have brought new nature activities and local experiences to our customers. It’s been a horrible year with Covid-19 to travel industry. Nevertheless, we have still kept all of our staff and used only temporary lay-offs to be able to survive. In 2021 we are creating a CO2 emission calculator to show to our customers how much CO2 emissions are involved to travel. We have also planned to create compensation for the travel packages that consumers can pay at the same time when booking her travel package. We are also planning to have new kinds of travel experiences that would have an even bigger impact on local communities or local environments.
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Initiative for accessible tourism in Switzerland OK:GO
30-03-2021
The desire to travel is in all of us. For people with disabilities and senior citizens, however, the well-deserved vacation involves intensive preparation. In order to enjoy a carefree time as much as possible, information about the accessibility of accommodations or leisure activities is needed even before departure. Many tourism providers in Switzerland have offers that are suitable for some of the people with disabilities and seniors. However, there is often a lack of publicly accessible information. The Accessible Switzerland Association helps the Swiss tourism industry address the travel requirements of senior citizens and people with disabilities appropriately and in such a way as to meet their specific needs. From the moment it was established in 2016, the FVBS has been supported by prominent service providers in the Swiss tourism industry and by disabled people’s associations. The aim of the initiative is that tourism businesses inform about the accessibility of their offers in order to facilitate travel planning for people with disabilities as well as seniors. For this purpose OK:GO provides the necessary system for recording and communication. It is by no means a matter of costly conversions or the need for an existing barrier-free infrastructure. What is new about the OK:GO approach is: All service providers can participate, even those who are "not 100% barrier-free" according to the classic understanding. It is about a commitment to the topic of "inclusion for people with disabilities" and a self-declaration for concrete and relevant information for this target group. The system for this is provided by OK:GO through its partner platform "ginto". Excerpts from the website.
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Hotel Valsana Arosa
30-03-2021
The 4-star superior hotel Valsana in Arosa consistently implements sustainability. It has been Green Globe certified in 2020, making it one of the most sustainable hotels in Switzerland. Green Globe certification is a globally recognized, structured assessment of the sustainability performance of travel and tourism companies and their supply chain partners. As part of the certification process, all areas of the hotel's operations were evaluated and reviewed for the sustainability thinking behind them. This includes, among other things, employee training in the area of sustainability, integration into the local community, but also a purchasing policy that primarily takes local and regional producers into account. Valsana achieved 93 percent of the possible points in the certification process. In addition to the ice storage, the hotel's own beehive, the green roof and the majority of eco-certified and fair-trade products were particularly highlighted.
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KITRO
30-03-2021
Excerpts from website: Kitro is a fully automatic food waste management solution for the food and beverage industry. KITRO provides customers with hardware and software that enables them to effortlessly reduce their food waste across the entire outlet. Reducing food costs and wasted resources for the hospitality industry is the goal of Kitro. KITRO seeks to provide a long-term solution that becomes as essential to a kitchen as a dishwasher or an oven, and helps companies track their food waste over time. KITRO delivers high quality Swiss solutions that are efficient and robust. KITRO's goal is to raise awareness and tackle food waste along the entire supply chain. For more information see links below
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Innovationsgenerator 2.0
30-03-2021
Excerpts from website Tourism in Switzerland is facing major challenges in dealing with the effects of the Corona pandemic, climate change and the constantly changing needs of guests. With the Innotour project Innovation Generator 2.0, supported by SECO, a broad-based project sponsorship wants to contribute to making the change sustainable. Using co-creation methods, the Innovation Generator 2.0 brings together partners across sectors and offers development spaces for the development of innovative tourism projects. The funded projects should meet all three target dimensions of sustainability in the best possible way: Economy, Environment, Society. The Innovation Generator 2.0 builds on the experiences of the Innovation Generator 2016/18. The method for generating innovative ideas will be optimized, and the project perimeter will be extended from the Alpine region to the whole of Switzerland. The most promising ideas will be further developed and guided towards realization. The project offers the initiators personnel and financial support in the various phases of project development. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) Der Tourismus in der Schweiz steht vor grossen Herausforderungen im Zusammenhang mit den Auswirkungen der Corona-Pandemie, dem Klimawandel und sich ständig wandelnden Bedürfnissen der Gäste. Eine breit aufgestellte Projektträgerschaft möchte mit dem vom SECO unterstützten Innotour-Projekt Innovationsgenerator 2.0 dazu beitragen, dass der Wandel nachhaltig wird.
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fairjourney - fairunterwegs - voyagéthique
30-03-2021
Excerpt from the website. fairjourney is a non-profit organisation concerned with the social, cultural, economic and ecological impacts of tourism on development. Right from it's inception, it's aim has been to promote the cause of the disadvantaged population in tourist destinations by raising public awareness, by advocating fair trade in tourism in a critical dialogue with the travel industry, and by encouraging travellers to be informed consumers. The travel portal with rules of thumb, practical tips, information and inspiration for fair encounters with people from other cultures - on the road as at home. fairjourney was founded in 1977 by a group of Swiss development agencies, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and committed tourism operators. Today, the competence center has some 130 members and, thanks to the support of government agencies, its education mandates and promotional partnerships for the operation of the travel portal fairunterwegs.org, is able to focus its activities on fair trade and the respect for human rights in tourism. Find out more in the links below
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Hospitality Booster
30-03-2021
Hotelleriesuisse (proper spelling HotellerieSuisse, actually Schweizer Hotelier-Verein, SHV; also Swiss Hotel Association) is the business association of the Swiss lodging industry and represents the interests of lodging establishments in Switzerland. Innovation is needed for the Swiss lodging industry to remain competitive. With the Hospitality Booster, HotellerieSuisse enables and promotes innovation. The aim is to implement new services, products, processes or business models proactively and with high benefit for our members. For this purpose, the Hospitality Booster takes up needs from the industry, develops ideas and involves various partners. This is the only way to create new, efficient and needs-oriented solutions. For more information see links below
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MYBLUEPLANET
30-03-2021
The "I AM PRO SNOW" project supports Swiss winter sports resorts and companies in reducing their carbon footprint and making their commitment to sustainable and climate-friendly tourism visible. All participants commit to switching to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 at the latest, and compile an individual action program to motivate employees and visitors to adopt climate-friendly behavior. I AM PRO SNOW is a project with international appeal. "I AM PRO SNOW" is an awareness and action campaign for climate protection aimed at mountain railroads. The campaign was launched in America by Al Gore (The Climate Reality Project) and disseminated in Switzerland by MYBLUEPLANET. Our vision is for Swiss winter sports resorts to take on a pioneering role in climate protection by committing in the campaign to switch to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 at the latest. For this purpose, there are further training offers for employees, attractive action days for guests and access to an international network." Excerpt from MYBLUEPLANET
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Swisstainable
29-03-2021
"Nachhaltigkeit als Wettbewerbsvorteil für den Schweizer Tourismus und echten Mehrwert für die Gäste. Dafür bietet Schweiz Tourismus mit Swisstainable ein Programm an, an dem sich alle Leistungsträger beteiligen können." "Ziel der Kampagne sei es, mehr Orientierung für die Konsumenten zu bieten, heisst es. Eine Zertifizierung sei es aber nicht. Die teilnehmenden Unternehmen würden je nach ihrem Engagement für Nachhaltigkeit mit drei verschiedenen Signeten ausgezeichnet. Das erste Level «Swisstainable Commited» steht für Betriebe, die über keine Nachhaltigkeitszertifizierungen verfügen, ihren Betrieb aber in Richtung Nachhaltigkeit weiterentwickeln wollen. Das zweite und dritte Signet, «Swisstainable Engaged» und «Swisstainable Leading», wird an Unternehmen verliehen, die bereits im Bereich Nachhaltigkeit zertifiziert sind." "Entwickelt wurde das Konzept in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Institut für Tourismus und Mobilität ITM der Hochschule Luzern. Zudem wurde es von der unabhängigen Non-Profit-Organisation Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) inhaltlich begleitet. Ausgerollt wird es in der Sommerkampagne 2021 von Schweiz Tourismus. Vorerst wollen die Organisatoren den Begriff Swisstainable, eine Wortkombination aus Swiss (schweizerisch) und sustainable (nachhaltig) hierzulande bei der breiten Bevölkerung bekanntmachen. Kommendes Jahr wollen sie gute Beispiele einer nachhaltigen Veränderung der Reisebranche zeigen und im Jahr 2023 einen Swisstainable-Reiseführer herausgeben." "Die gesamte Tourismusbranche ist eingeladen, sich an Swisstainable zu beteiligen. Um den Gästen Orientierung zu schaffen, werden Leistungsträger, die sich in der Nachhaltigkeit engagieren, mit einem Signet ausgezeichnet. Diese Betriebe werden als Vorbilder präsentiert und in die Gästekommunikation integriert." Information in French and English is available via the links.
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UNWTO Workshop on Sustainable Tourism Development Product in the Pacific Islands (hybrid)
29-03-2021
The UNWTO Workshop on Sustainable Tourism Development in the Pacific Islands will be held in a hybrid manner in Suva, Fiji on 31st March 2021. 08:00 - 15:00 (Fiji Time) The workshop is specifically designed to support tourism stakeholders from the Pacific Island Countries in the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19 that has affected all countries around the globe, but particularly Small Island Destinations in the Pacific who strongly depend on tourism as their main means of subsistence. It aims at strengthening effective and responsive sustainable tourism product development at national and destination levels, at a critical moment when most countries are struggling to restart their tourism. The objectives of the workshop are:
  • To support and advance the development of sustainable tourism products in the Pacific Islands
  • To encourage the exchange of good practices in sustainable tourism development between Pacific Islands and pioneer countries.
  • To promote and disseminate the findings of the UNWTO/APTEC Publication on Sustainable Tourism Product Development Opportunities in the Pacific Islands.
To find out more, please refer to the links below:
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Improved skills through hospitality training in Cambodia
29-03-2021
“I felt self-confident as I had obtained substantial resources [knowledge] for myself. If I were to identify one lesson from the training that helped me achieve my development, it would be those hospitality knowledge and communication skills. For me, the hospitality training is a very beneficial project for Kampot [province], because it has provided both opportunity and knowledge to hospitality workers who did not possess enough skills, and also help them to obtain higher income” says Ms. Lihouy Tiev. Ms. Tiev participated in the Hospitality Kampuchea (HoKa), the 1st In-House training programme in the country targeted at the existing low-skilled workers of hotels and restaurants who can apply the technical skills in their workplace. HoKa has been introduced to Cambodia by the Mekong Inclusive Growth and Innovation Programme (MIGIP), implemented by Swisscontact, the Swiss Foundation for Technical Cooperation, and funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Happel Foundation and the Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation. A story that shows the significant impact to the SDGs 1, 4, 5 and 8 that tourism can have, if developed in an inclusive and sustainable way.
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Tourism Governance and Destination Marketing in Tunisia
26-03-2021
The project contributes to diversifying and improving the competitiveness of Tunisian tourism by encouraging the development of new approaches to local tourism management and new regional tourism brands. Tourism accounts for 14% of national GDP and faces many structural and profound challenges. Tunisian tourism urgently needs reforms and measures to improve its positioning and added value in a competitive and increasingly segmented global market. Limited to a few coastal regions and heavily dependent on foreign tourism organizations, the sector is struggling to develop new offerings, while the country has real potential in terms of both product diversification and tourism regions. Swisscontact uses an inclusive approach involving tour operators, local public and private institutions, providers of ancillary and complementary activities and civil society actors, with particular attention to young people, women and small service providers. The project also aims at developing marketing techniques for tourism through new marketing approaches and methods, in particular destination marketing with digital and participatory approaches.
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Green Investments for Hotel Revitalization Webinar
26-03-2021
We would like to invite you to participate in the webinar "Green Investments for Hotel Revitalization" with the purpose to provide relevant data insights and practical measures for a faster recovery of the tourism sector through the promotion of Green finance mechanisms offer by IFC. The webinar will focus on “Green Investments for Hotel Revitalization” with the purpose to provide relevant insights and green finance mechanisms available through financial institutions (FIs) for a faster recovery of the tourism sector. The webinar will invite government officials working on investments, Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs)managers, traditional investors, hotel owners with a forward-looking vision to provide liquidity and sustainability measures during COVID-19.
  • Date: 31st March 2021
  • Time: 09:30 AM CET Madrid Time (Please be aware of your time zone)
  • Language: English
  • Format: Webinar via Zoom
  • Speakers:
    • Natalia Bayona, Director Innovation, Education and Investments at UNWTO
    • Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
    • Koto Ueda, Upstream Analyst, Financial Institutions Group at International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Register Here
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Mekong Inclusive Growth and Innovation Programme (MIGIP Cambodia)
25-03-2021
Mekong Inclusive Growth and Innovation Programme (MIGIP)  focuses on enterprise development in the agriculture and tourism sectors. Cambodia’s agriculture sector which is a major employer and livelihood option for the majority of the poor, is one of the key engines for economic growth and poverty reduction in the country. MIGIP recognises the critical role that agro-technologies can play in transforming Cambodia agriculture towards sustainable intensification. Tourism sector is a key driver for local economic development in Cambodia. MIGIP recognises that growth in the tourism sector has the potential to contribute to job creation, revenue generation, the improvement of people’s livelihood and poverty alleviation.

Agriculture Sector

To increase production through sustainable intensification and to increase the competitiveness of the agriculture sector, the use of improved technology and techniques are necessary. Hence, MIGIP is supporting the promotion of existing and new technologies giving special emphasis to sustainable agriculture. To achieve this vision in agriculture, MIGIP is working in the following intervention areas:
  1. Increase efficiency of service provision: by improving functions that support agricultural technology such as access to finance, information services and extension services
  2. Promote the adoption of agriculture technology: by increasing awareness of various agriculture technologies
  3. Improve the quality of crops: by working on various mechanisms with the private sector and other market actors to transfer knowledge to smallholder farmers
  4. Enhance commercial orientation of agriculture technologies: by facilitating stakeholder research on the commercialisation of agriculture technology particularly on sustainable agriculture.

Tourism sector

To increase the competitiveness of the tourism sector, MIGIP focuses on strengthening destination management structure, processes, marketing, and skills through public-private partnerships at the sub-national level. To achieve this vision in tourism, MIGIP is working in the following intervention areas:
  1. Strengthen destination marketing: by developing sub-brands through the Visitor Flows marketing strategy
  2. Improve service quality and skills: by providing in-house trainings aligned with the national standards for low-skilled workers
  3. Strengthen specific visitor flows: by supporting local businesses to develop new products and activities targeted to specific market segments
  4. Enhance destination management structure: by promoting public-private partnership in destination management.
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Local Skills Development for Youth
25-03-2021
In the Local Skills Development for Youth (LSDY) project, unemployed young men and women from the Lake Victoria region, which is particularly affected by poverty, have access to modular, needs-oriented vocational education and training. Thanks to the training, they can earn their livelihood on their own as self-employed persons or employees and significantly improve their situation and that of their families. Furthermore, young entrepreneurs, who have already completed their vocational training courses in the last phase, are supported in professionalising their small businesses. Special focus is given to the access to coaching and financial services. The project makes use of innovative vocational training approaches, whether through learning methods in a company (based on a dual vocational training) or work in learning groups. Young adults acquire practical and technical skills and are equipped with financial and life skills to take on their journey into professional life. Project activities
  1. Vocational training: basic and further training courses The project primarily focuses on vocational training and practical experience in companies.
  2. Promotion of entrepreneurship Apart from technical skills, the project develops the business acumen of the trainees. In advanced courses, young adults learn how to plan their business, analyse customer needs, calculate profits and set prices.
  3. Facilitate financial know-how and access to financial services The beneficiaries acquire basic financial literacy, which they can readily apply in savings and lending groups. The project also facilitates access to formal banks, savings and credit cooperatives and new innovative products, such as microleasing, tailored to the needs of young adults and entrepreneurs.
  4. Strengthening social skills and self-competence Through its courses, the project develops social skills and self-competence of the youth, who are often caught up in a vicious cycle of poverty and frustration. For example, they learn about health, hygiene, safety and communication.
  5. Networking young people with labour market Linkages between prospective employees with potential employers are facilitated through participation at fairs, internships etc.
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Economically strong regions through sustainable tourism (MIGIP Laos)
25-03-2021
The objective of the project is to introduce new models for promoting localities that involve the social, environmental, and economic needs of local populations while creating additional income and jobs. Despite high and sustained economic growth, Laos remains one of the UN’s “Least Developed Countries” – one third of the population lives below the poverty line. The project creates jobs and income opportunities in the tourism sector, thereby contributing to poverty reduction. Swisscontact is applying an approach by which local actors can participate actively in developing the tourism sector with increasing flows of tourists. This approach not only considers economic, but also social and environmental factors: natural beauty is to be highlighted and protected; the local population must benefit from economic growth. Promoting the important tourism area of Champasak lies at the heart of our efforts. Through targeted trainings, tourism SMEs will improve the quality of services they offer, thereby enhancing their competitiveness. At the same time, the project is further developing the range of available services and activities. To this we can add new products and attractions, which we develop together with our local partners. By becoming a more attractive destination, international guests will stay for longer periods and also spend more money in the process. To find out more, please check the following links:
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Pheun Than Heng A SipTraining Programme
25-03-2021
The tourism and hospitality sector in Lao PDR has expanded rapidly in recent years and the trend is set to continue. Tourism and hospitality services often drive revenues for micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in rural areas, which in turn can provide the livelihood for people from poor backgrounds. However, often MSMEs are not able to attract and retain customers due to low service quality; and many job-seekers, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, lack the necessary skills to break into the sector. This prevents MSMEs and disadvantaged job-seekers from benefitting from the potential of the growing tourism and hospitality sector in the country. The Pheun Than Heng A Sip (PTHAS) Training Programme includes over 120 training units, each tailor-made to address the issue of low service quality in tourism and hospitality businesses. Swisscontact originally developed the programme in partnership with the Lao National Institute for Tourism and Hospitality (LANITH), and piloted it in Champasak Province with the Department of Information Culture and Tourism (DICT), and the Champasak Hotel and Restaurant Association (CHRA), under a previous project from 2013 to 2016. To find out more, check out the links below  
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Sustainable Tourism Destination Development
25-03-2021
The SUSTOUR project is part of the overall Sustainable Tourism Development in Indonesia (STDI) Program of SECO, led by both SECO and the MoTCE. The Program focuses to develop a sustainable and inclusive expansion of tourism in Indonesia. SUSTOUR aims to increase employment and income opportunities for the local population through inclusive and sustainable economic growth in two targeted destinations, namely in Wakatobi and the western part of Flores (Labuan Bajo). Please find more information in the linksbelow:
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Destinations in South-East Tunisia: new approaches and skills in the tourism sector
25-03-2021
The main objective of the project is to contribute to the attractiveness of South-East Tunisia through new approaches and skills for the development of sustainable, diversified and inclusive tourism. This will improve the income and living conditions of the local population. Since the revolution in 2011, 2018 has seen the best tourism result with 7.5 million tourists (an increase of 17% compared to 2017). Tunisia plans to be among the top three destinations in the world by 2020. However, the sector is in urgent need of reform and diversification. This is linked to the following challenges: lack of diversity of supply - this is concentrated in all-round resorts and hotels, endemic debt which weighs on investment and the quality of infrastructure, unequal quality of services, inadequate training and working conditions, and the sector's lack of profitability. Finally, the increase in competition (Egypt, Morocco) requires new tourist offers adapted to the region. Although the occupancy rate has improved significantly over the last two years, the quality of services is regularly judged to be disappointing, and the added value of tourism is still very low. The challenge now is to promote alternative accommodation, develop inland and short-stay tourism and enhance cultural sites.
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Sustainable Tourism Education Development Project (STED)
25-03-2021
Tourism is an important part of the Indonesian economy and an important source for generating employment and foreign exchange reserves. Swisscontact has been actively supporting the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism since 2009 to strengthen the competitiveness of selected tourism destinations. The Government of Indonesia has set a number of objectives to improve the role of tourism in the Indonesian economy and has allocated additional funds to the Ministry of Tourism for promotion. The remaining core areas for the Indonesian Government to be addressed are: connectivity, basic services and tourism infrastructure; workforce skills and quality standards; investment and business climate; coordination and implementation capabilities at national and sub-national level. The government of Indonesia has prioritized tourism as one of the main pillars of the country’s economic growth potential. Its strategy is to make the tourism industry Indonesia’s biggest short-term source of foreign exchange revenues. Within the overall framework of the national tourism strategy, the aim is to build up sustainability in the tourism sector through competitive and sustainable destinations and a skilled workforce. The STED project aims to contribute to this goal by working towards a better qualified workforce with relevant skills for the tourism sector. Demand driven education will ensure that graduates meet the standards required by the Indonesian tourism sector, and will equip them with better knowledge on sustainability and inclusion, thereby creating more and better jobs for local population. The project is part of a broader system. While the primary beneficiary is the tourism destination of Lombok, the broader tourism sector in Indonesia and the Indonesian TVET system will also benefit from the project´s results via strengthening of a network of education institutions under the Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia (MoTCE).
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Science-based nature tourism as a strategy for ecosystem protection
25-03-2021
The project aims to utilise nature tourism in order to generate alternative income for local communities and mitigate deforestation and conserve biodiversity in the Santa Marta region. The National Development Plan includes the Tourism Sector Plan 2018-2022 "Tourism: the purpose that unites us", which seeks to improve Colombia's competitiveness as a tourist destination. This shall be achieved based on initiatives to strengthen productivity, the generation of value and co-responsibility among the actors in the tourism sector, and the country’s positioning in national and international markets. In this way, the Tourism Sector Plan and the present initiative are aligned in the search for the strengthening of territorial planning and management to develop nature tourism in a sustainable manner. The emphasis lies on protected areas and strategic ecosystems, aiming at the development of infrastructure for the promotion of high-value tourism and specialised products.
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Skills Development Programme to Increase Employability of Youth
25-03-2021
In Nicaragua, there are 1.4 million working-age young people between the ages of 18 and 30 years; however, approximately 40% of the economically active youth do not have access to employment or do not earn a salary that meets the basic cost of living. This situation is further aggravated in rural areas and in urban peripheries where access to specialised training is difficult, especially training that facilitates incorporation into the labour market. Objective Consolidate processes to improve the quality and relevance of professional training for employability of youth and adults in prioritised sectors and territories. Currently the second phase of the project is being implemented.
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Rural Market Opportunities in the Gulf of Fonseca
25-03-2021
Inclusive economic growth can break the cycle of poverty and social marginalisation in the Dry Corridor where the Gulf of Fonseca region is located. Agriculture is seen as the priority sector where efforts to address productivity, market and infrastructure issues are concentrated. Similarly, non-agricultural economic activities provide opportunities, as they generate a vigorous and diversified local economy. The Rural Market Opportunities Project in the Gulf of Fonseca contributes to the inclusive local economic development of 33 municipalities located in the region, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations, women and youth; specifically focusing on improving productivity and income. The “Rural Market Opportunities in the Gulf of Fonseca” project is sponsored by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Swisscontact. It addresses entrenched poverty and low economic productivity in the Dry Corridor by enabling rural MSMEs, including agricultural producers, to take full advantage of the agricultural and non-agricultural market opportunities available to them. The project approach to rural private sector development, is to build strength throughout the local economic system – supporting small businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively; helping them gain access to and meet the demands of local, national and export markets; and fostering an enabling environment that is conducive to their success and sustainability of the businesses. It will also link local economic development plans to broader regional and national strategies to harmonise efforts and make them more efficient. The project will reach 7460 people and their households.
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Vocational Skills Development Project
25-03-2021
The Vocational Skills Development Program (VSDP) aims to improve the access of women and men from disadvantaged groups to quality vocational skills development (VSD) programs which results in employment or self-employment opportunities in the world of work. The significant lack of an appropriately skilled workforce in Myanmar, particularly for vocational occupations, is seen as a major factor restraining the economy’s potential for growth. In order to support its economy, Myanmar needs a committed, experienced and skilled workforce. To achieve this, there is a need to improve the quality, access and relevance of vocational skills development (VSD), especially for those with limited education and economic opportunities. Strengthened public-private partnerships in VSD are essential for implementing policies and skills development related initiatives that address existing labour market needs. To tackle these challenges, VSDP contributes to improve the VSD system and to make it more inclusive and relevant in Myanmar. It works closely with the private and public sectors and targets learners in ways which ensure high relevance of training to labour market demands. Skills for Hospitality sector In areas with high tourist numbers, the Program focuses on providing skills development in selected hospitality occupations. The Program strengthens the capacity of hotel supervisors at partner hotels to deliver training to line staff and learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Program is working with the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (MoHT) to support its capacity for vocational skills development within Myanmar as well as its integration of hospitality professionals into ASEAN.
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Promoting Private Sector Employment
25-03-2021
SMEs that operate in competitive and well-organized economic sectors, where public policies better match private sector needs, provide increased sustainable gainful employment for women and men in Kosovo. Kosovo has grown moderately at an average rate of 3% in the last few years and is constantly facing growing labour force. The positive economic trends fall short to generate number of jobs needed to absorb those entering the market every year (around 30,000). Youth, women and minorities (particularly Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian minorities) remain most excluded groups. Formal employment makes around 75% (269,500 employees) of the overall employment, with public sector accounting for 25% of formal jobs. Lack of SME innovation as well as lack of relevant and affordable market support services are limiting SME growth. On the other hand, sustainable sector growth has the highest potential to create SMEs and employment opportunities. Therefore, private sector development and job creation remains the main goals of SDC and of the Kosovo Government. The project contributes to innovations and credible visible changes in the Food and Natural Ingredients and Tourism sectors respectively. Building upon the objectives, achievements, and lessons learned of Phase I, in this current phase 2017 – 2021 the project will tackle private sector development and job creation with more emphasis on youth, women and minorities. The Food and Natural Ingredients sector facilitates and supports opportunities in fresh and processed sectors of fruits and vegetables, medicinal and aromatic plants, and confectionary. Activities in this sector seek to improve the range and diversification of products, improve competitiveness of market actors; develop marketing and certification services, improve promotion and sales of products in local segments, and boost export. The Tourism sector aims to directly contribute to increased numbers of tourists, who spend more and stay longer in the destination, thus
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Economic Empowerment of Indigenous Youth and Women (EMPODERA)
25-03-2021
The Project will improve the living conditions of indigenous men and women between the ages of 15 and 35 years, so that they can increase their income and improve their capabilities as well as improving the current conditions for autonomous decision-making; gaining access to professional technical education and market insertion opportunities; it will also the promote sustainable entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, as well as the empowerment of women.The department of Alta Verapaz is located in the north of the Republic of Guatemala. It has a total population of 1.3 million people, 50% are women and 50% men; the population is mainly indigenous (94%) and most of them belong to the Q'eqchí and Pocomchí ethnic groups; likewise, 77% reside mainly in the rural area and only 23% of the population lives in urban areas (INE, 2016). The department of Alta Verapaz has the highest indicator of extreme poverty at 53.6% and total poverty level of 83.1%. Instead of improving, as of 2014 (ENCOVI 2016) poverty has increased by 4.3%, making it the poorest department nationwide. When talking about the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), Alta Verapaz has the highest index in the country, at 0.529, meaning it has the least access to health, education and minimum quality of life conditions such as housing, electricity, sanitation, drinking water and other necessities. On the subject of reproductive sexual health, the data is alarming: According to the reflected indicators of the MSPAS (INE, SEGEPLAN, 2017), the fertility rate is 2.8 children per woman, maternity in adolescents (15 to 19 years) is 7% and there is total of 11,605 cases of young mothers from ages 10 to 19. The project will intervene in 12 municipalities in 3 key areas of the department of Alta Verapaz and in four sectors That have the greatest economic potential: The sectors of forestry, tourism, construction and environmental services.
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Nuevas Oportunidades: Productive Reintegration of Returning Migrants
25-03-2021
The project seeks the productive reintegration of returning migrants through the introduction of certification of competences in El Salvador and eventually in the whole Northern Triangle (El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras). Thousands of migrants are forced every year to return to their home countries. Back in their country in the northern triangle, many returning migrants face difficulties. Although the vast majority of the returnees have no criminal background, the deportees are perceived as criminals by their fellow citizens and have difficulty integrating into the labour market. At the same time, these practically experienced skilled workers bear great potential for the labour market, as there is a demand for qualified workers in growing economic sectors such as construction and tourism.
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FOMILENIO II: Review of job profiles, skills requirements and the design of training programs for the sugar, construction, poultry, tourism and coffee sectors
25-03-2021
The program FOMILENIO II included designing training programs for prioritised occupational careers in the sectors of construction, poultry, sugar, tourism and coffee, under the competence-oriented approach. The innovation here was that the programs are designed according to the explicit need of the productive sectors which are channeled through the sectorial committees. The idea was to encourage and obtain an active and broad participation of relevant actors for each stage of work, because this is how the products are validated and in fact pay for the increase in worker’s productivity or augment the job market. The FOMILENIO II program was financed by the United States government, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and by the government of El Salvador.
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Skills Development Programme
25-03-2021
The overall goal of the Skills Development Programme (SDP) is for disadvantaged young women and men and low-skilled workers in five rural provinces of Cambodia (Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Kratie, Mondul Kiri and Ratanak Kiri) to gain access to decent employment and increased income. The programme pursues two main objectives: 1) The Cambodian Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system will be supported to become more effective in the target provinces, 2) Disadvantaged young men and women and low-skilled workers will improve their employability and income through technical skills, soft skills and entrepreneurship skills. SDP is an SDC-mandated project and is implemented by Swisscontact and INBAS in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MoLVT) and the Ministry of Tourism (MoT). The programme works closely with the government at the national and the provincial level and with partners such as the National Employment Agency (NEA), public and non-governmental training providers as well as private companies and small enterprises in the hospitality and other sectors.
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Colombia + Competitiva - Strengthening the Competitiveness of the Private Sector
25-03-2021
The Programme aims to support Colombia in its systematic efforts to improve the competitiveness of its private sector in the framework of the National System of Competitiveness, Science, Technology and Innovation and its Productive Development Policy. "Colombia + Competitiva" follows a programmatic and systemic approach with clear ownership of the national and subnational entities and a significant contribution to their alignment and orientation towards common objectives. Currently the government is developing an overarching Productive Development Policy that defines the country’s competitiveness objectives, such as increase in productivity growth, exports, investments and numbers of innovative firms. The main objective is to support the country in achieving sustainable growth, and to reduce poverty and inequalities among its population. One focus lies on improving competitiveness of sectors with potential to create productive and decent employment. The programme supports a portfolio of projects in four sectors – tourism, cocoa, cosmetics/natural ingredients and sustainable construction building upon previous project experiences in the domain of private sector development and trade promotion as well as close consultation with Colombian partners.
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Skills for Jobs (S4J)
25-03-2021
Skills for Jobs (S4J) is a project of Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) and is implemented by Swisscontact. The project is part of the Economic Development and Employment Domain of the Swiss Cooperation and Strategy 2018-2021 for Albania, with specific focus on employability. The main goal of ‘Skills for Jobs’ (S4J) project is to offer young people in Albania the best vocational education and training. Better skills will help young people to get a job that they love and that pays them well. More than 16,000 young people access improved VSD offers (IT-based, innovative and attractive, demand-oriented and gender-sensitive) in Tourism & Hospitality, Smart Construction, Textile, ICT and more branches in Shkodra, Lezha, Tirana, Elbasan, Berat and Vlora regions. Currently the second phase of the projects is ongoing (May 2019-June 2023).
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Swiss Import Promotion Programme SIPPO
25-03-2021
The Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) is a longstanding, well-established initiative of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) with the overall vision of sustainable and inclusive economic growth and integration of SIPPO partner countries into world trade, through its mission of supporting Business Support Organizations (so called BSOs - which includes public or private asociations, chambers of commerce, export promotion agencies, among others) to increase their export promotion capacity and service provision to export-ready companies. The project will operate in 6 sectors: Fish & seafood Processed foods Natural ingredients Technical wood Value-added textiles Sustainable tourism Since April 2017, SIPPO is being implemented under the direction of Swisscontact in partnership with BHP Brugger and Partners and Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation.
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ProJoven : Vocational training for young people at risk of exclusion
25-03-2021
The population of Honduras suffers from poverty, violence, corruption and unemployment. According to the National Statistics Institute of Honduras (INE), the unemployment rate is slightly over 7%; however, if the under-employment rate is added to this, it surpasses 40%, with young people comprising the largest group of unemployed. Furthermore, this group also faces the criminality of gangs and organised crime. Considering the lessons learned during the first phase of the ProJoven project (2013 - 2017), Swisscontact implements a second phase with the general objective of improving the effectiveness and coverage of the training system for vulnerable young people, through quality training that responds to the needs of the labour market and allows the employability of the young beneficiaries. For more information see links below.
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WISATA Programme
25-03-2021
WISATA, as a landmark program, was carried out in close cooperation with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. The main goal of the program was to contribute to economic development through sustainable tourism, which creates employment and income to improve the livelihood of the local population. The programme was funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and carried out in close cooperation with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and in line with the national tourism development programme The WISATA programme, originally started in 2009 covering only the island of Flores. Due to the success of the first phase, it was decided that a second phase of the programme should start in June 2014, covering three additional destinations (Toraja, Tanjung Puting, and Wakatobi). Throughout this second phase, the approach, which was successfully developed and applied in Flores, was circulated. WISATA was carried out in close cooperation with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and in line with the national tourism development programme. The main goal of the programme was to contribute to economic development through sustainable tourism in order to create employment and income that can improve the livelihood of the local population.
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Switzerland - Morocco sustainable tourism programme
25-03-2021
Swisscontact implements the Swiss-Moroccan sustainable tourism programme which aims to support the provinces of Azilal and Beni Mellal in developing sustainable tourism with integrated sectors in order to reduce poverty, create income and new jobs and improve existing jobs, particularly for young people and women. The programme is financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO and the Kingdom of Morocco (Ministry of Tourism, Air Transport, Crafts and Social Economy). To learn more about the programme, follow the links below.
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Our goal is to make Flores a leading eco-tourism destination in Southeast Asia
25-03-2021
Through the WISATA programme in Indonesia, several Destination Management Organisations received support on various levels. Interview with DMO Flores and IWG Networks, WISATA project partner. The WISATA project, started in 2009, initially covered only the Indonesian island of Flores. Early success meant that three additional destinations were facilitated by WISATA in 2014. The initial set-up of the project was to support the establishment of a Destination Management Organisation (DMO) in Flores. Under the district Destination Management Forum, three Island Working Groups (IWGs) manage the coordination function among tourism stakeholders in each island level. IWG Networks and DMO Flores were asked about their experiences and advances within the WISATA project. Read here the interviews with DMO Flores and IWG Networks from Wakatobi. They want to develop their islands into leading eco-destinations in South East Asia.
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Being young is not easy in Honduras: A story of the ProJoven project in Honduras
25-03-2021
The story is about one of the young graduates of the ProJoven Programme. Most of the students in his class that graduated with him are working, says Moisés. However, he recognizes that the majority of the young people in his immediate environment, such as friends and family, have not been able to achieve their goals. "The person’s disposition and being able to find the support of someone who motivates you, is the most difficult thing to achieve. I feel that in Honduras, they rarely give young people the opportunity to grow. On top of that, the issue of violence aggravates everything "underlines Moisés while he finishes preparing coffee for a client. At only 21 years of age, Moisés Izaguirre already knows what he wants, "in five years I hope to have my own coffee business," he says determinedly. He trained as a waiter for seven months at the National Vocational Training Institute of San Felipe (INFOP), in Tegucigalpa, as part of the of the ProJoven program, which is financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (COSUDE) and implemented by Swisscontact.
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NATURAL MACONDO Colombia Inspiration Ciénaga - The Capital of Magic Realism
25-03-2021
Ciénaga is located on the Caribbean Sea below the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range in Colombia. It is known for its rich variety of landscapes and well-preserved architecture. Cienaga is focusing on developing ecological, cultural, and heritage tourism of indisputable value. The historic centre, an architectural mosaic featuring the church of San Juan Bautista, Centennial square, El Templete, the Freemason’ lodge, the “Devil’s House”, and a variety of republic-era buildings, testimony to the city’s old tobacco and banana booms, was declared a national heritage site in the early 1990s. The project aims to promote the "Macondo Natural" tourism product, which will be sold by the beneficiaries. This will be accomplished by improvements in the value chain, particularly creating service and marketing capacity with special attention to international tourists. In addition, special emphasis will be placed on destination management and the design of a public-private platform in order to promote the product online. “What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it.” Gabriel Garcia Marquez
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How a “green job” connects different generations through their love for the environment and stories
25-03-2021
If you travel along the canals, green tunnels snake through the mangrove forests, sunlight peaks through the leaves offering beautiful natural lighting. You feel like you are in a surrealistic place. Your are going into the real landscapes of 100 years of solitude. You are getting to Macondo Natural. The Salamanca Island Road Park has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Across a 56,200 hectare wetland, it features three ecosystems: a mangrove forest, a tropical riparian forest, and tropical dry broadleaf forest. A canoe tour takes you through the canals, with their Aguja caymans and fiddler crabs, to Ciénaga de Marchena. With a surface area of 450 km2, it is Colombia’s largest coastal lagoon and a bird paradise with over 200 species. This is a story of the intervention in this territory carried out through the Colombia + Competitive program, financed by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by Swisscontact.
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Red Rocks Community Conservation Research Centre-Bridging Adventure, People and Nature!
22-03-2021
River Mukungwa Adventures- The source of River Mukungwa located in the Northern Province is where the foot adventures begin near the Volcanoes National Park and a true definition of co-existence showing how the people from the nearby areas and nature live in peace and harmony. The calmly surrounding region provides you with a chance to escape the crowded towns of Rwanda and get to experience the beautiful views of the lake all through to the amazing backdrop scenery of the Virunga Volcanoes. Soothe the mind with blistering sounds of the lake and the melodious sounds of the birds as you choose from a wide range of engaging activities we offer while you are here. The walk is not so physically demanding but rather an easy walk alongside the terrain of the lake. If You are looking for an exquisite way to enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake complemented by the amazing backdrop scenery of the Virunga Volcanoes and the open blue skies or perhaps for photographers looking for a natural scenario then you will be mesmerized by the beauty of the area as you get some of the best shots, or even an opportunity to watch some of the many bird species found in the region from Kingfishers, cormorants, pelicans, white egret just to mention a few. The trail gives you a superb way of meeting with the local people while they go on about their daily everyday life chores- the area also offers an abundant way of joining local fishermen for an all hands-on fishing expedition using locally made rods and if you are lucky enough you will catch your next meal. The walking safari also offers several on-road stops over’s for resting or simply a moment to eat your packed snacks. Studies on the water birds, local trees, soil, and vegetation will be carried out from this center to help us and the community better understand how to mitigate climate and environmental change. And if you are looking for ways in which you help us ensure that we continue with our conservation efforts.
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UNWTO - ADB joint session: Aid for Trade Stocktaking Event 2021
19-03-2021
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)  is pleased to invite you to attend the UNWTO - ADB joint session in the context of the World Trade Organization's (WTO)  Aid-for-Trade Stocktaking Event 2021. The tourism sector has been one of the most dynamic service sectors prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. For many developing countries, the sector also generated the largest share in services exports. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the tourism sector particularly hard and abruptly. Reviving the sector is posing major challenges to governments around the world. With a focus on the Asia and Pacific region, the session will discuss:
  • options to help the tourism sector survive and how to prepare for a gradual re-opening. analyze how aid-for-trade can be used strategically to help the sector and to ensure that it delivers in terms of sustainability in the short and long run
  • present latest research findings on the future of tourism and how to achieve sustainable outcomes conducted by the Asian Development Bank jointly with the UN World Tourism Organization.
Interested participants are required to register here.
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Red Rocks Biodegradable straws
15-03-2021
As the world is increasingly aware of the disadvantages of the plastic crisis, we declared to say no to using plastics straw, it is in this regard that we initiated the idea of planting the Lepironia Articulata wild grass to combat the issue, we have come up with new, more sustainable materials to make straws from the wild grass. To make both the fresh grass straws and the dried grass straws, the grass is harvested, washed, and cut into straw-sized tubes. Then, an iron rod is used to clean the inner part of the straws, followed by one last washing. While paper straws have seen a surge in popularity lately, many have criticized them for their lack of durability – in terms of them getting soggy. Metal straws have been popular too, they are reusable and have the ease of being washable. We found a zero-waste alternative to growing sustainable plastic straws. The straws are made from grey sedge grass of the species Lepironia Articulata. We have the intention of protecting the environment by reducing the use of plastic straws. To make both types of straws, the grass is harvested, washed, and cut into straw-sized tubes – lengths measuring 20 centimeters (about 8 inches). We plan in the future to sell the biodegradable straws, thus supporting the women and youth populations around our area.
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WORLD TOURISM FORUM LUCERNE - INNOVATION FESTIVAL
15-03-2021
The event is organised by the World Tourism Forum Lucerne. "With the effect of the pandemic still ongoing, this is a difficult time for so many across the world. “Moving Forward” is our response to the huge challenges faced by our industry, as we believe the future belongs to those who can innovate, adapt and remain agile. Our Innovation Festival is dedicated to embracing change. Now more than ever, we’re forced to relinquish the past. It’s far from easy, but there has never been a more important time for our community to come together to restart the global economy and create a more resilient, healthy and sustainable world. At World Tourism Forum Lucerne, practicing what we preach and being innovative has meant modifying our own event format. Our biennial Forum is on hold for now and we are moving from Lucerne to Andermatt, an alpine tourism resort. The fabulous new venue allows the entire festival (conference, events and accommodation) to be staged under one roof. For everyone’s comfort and safety it will be a more intimate affair with a strict limitation on numbers. As well as a satellite physical event in Morocco, “Moving Forward” will also be fully hybrid, making virtual participation possible for everyone in our loyal global community across three generations who can’t attend in person." *** Hybrid event: There will be space for 250 on-site participants, with the vast majority taking part online. If we are unable to hold the event in April, we will postpone to a later date. For more information and registration see link below.
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Tourism Hackdays - Innovation Festival
15-03-2021
We are happy to announce a new edition of the Open Data Hackdays on the topic of tourism! On April 28 and 29, 2021, the third Open Data Hackdays will take place online. The event will be organized and hosted by the students of the Master of Science in “Applied Information and Data Science” program of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in cooperation with Opendata.ch, HotellerieSuisse and the Tourist Office Lab. A look into the future reveals the issues that tourism will increasingly face but also the emerging opportunities: Ecological concern, individual tourism, globalization, technological progress, urbanization and mobility. To deal with these megatrends, the whole industry must respond with new, innovative and transparent offers and products. Registration via links below.
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99 Tourist Village in the province of West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
13-03-2021
The Governor of West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, Dr. H. Zulkieflimansyah, SE, MSc has established 99 tourist villages which will be focused on being developed in the next five years. In line with the above program, the Tourism Promotion Board of West Nusa Tenggara ( BPPD Nusa Tenggara Barat ) has one of the objectives to promote this initiative to the worldwide market as an initiative that needs to be supported by everyone as we do our utmost to empower our people/community to manage the tourism program with an objective of improving people welfare thru tourism. West Nusa Tenggara Province is consist of two beautiful islands : Lombok and Sumbawa; which can be reach only within 30 minutes flight from Bali to Lombok Island. We will ensure that you will have an Endless Discovery experience which will enrich your life experience. . The tourism industry on new eral will have a new face and one of them would be community-based tourism and Indonesia could lead this type of tourism as we have a huge number of villages in the rural area where they have people with their own unique culture, lifestyle and a well-reserved nature resources. Then one of our effort to list this initiative to the Tourism4SDGS platform which belongs to UNWTO so it will be an effective way to communicate to our future partner who might interest to support and collaborate to develop this community-based tourism activity in West Nusa Tenggara province. We are open to any type of collaboration to promote and to bring a lot more people to our village which has been converted as a new alternative type of tourism in the new normal era. We have a dream that tourism should bring more benefits to a larger community in the villages / rural area by highlighting their culture in a bigger perspective and nature where they live. In the end, we want sustainable tourism is implemented in a real program to support the vision and goal of SDGs 2030.
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12-03-2021
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Values and Partnerships in Swiss Parks
02-03-2021
The Swiss Parks are unique territories that strive to promote a sustainable regional development. In order to integrate sustainability more strongly into local activities and partnerships, the Parks have defined seven core values: preservation and valorisation of nature and landscapes, regional value creation, awareness raising and communication, cooperation, innovation and quality, regional identity and culture, fairness and health. These values indicate how the Parks understand sustainability and how they implement it. They form the common basis for all Swiss Parks to enter into partnerships with local, regional or national organisations. For each value, the Parks have developed specific criteria, which are discussed and evaluated in coaching conversations with existing and potential partner companies. On the basis of these discussions, an action plan is drawn up with concrete measures that the company takes to make its business activities more sustainable. The values and criteria are thus not only a practical instrument for developing and strengthening a sustainability-oriented regional economy, but also form the basis for sustainable communication and cooperation between the park's stakeholders. The aim of this innovative process is to form a community of regional and national actors that encourage each other, share best practice examples and work together towards a sustainable future.
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Fahrtziel Natur
02-03-2021
Fahrtziel Natur is a national cooperation in which the Swiss Parks work together with various local transport companies as well as environmental organisations and cantons in order to encourage tourists to travel to the Parks by public transport. In order to do so, Fahrtziel Natur develops sustainable travel offers with attractive discounts. In tourism, transportation (travelling to and from the destination) makes up for the majority of carbon dioxide emissions. By combining exciting activities and explaining how easily accessible they are, the Swiss Parks tackle this issue and contribute to reducing global CO2 emissions. Moreover, the Swiss Parks include the information on “how to get there by public transport” in all their communication. That way, they raise awareness and make people more conscious that their transportation choice is important. Finally, innovation is also a key element and new ideas are being created in order to make public transport more attractive.
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RED ROCKS APES CONSERVATION ARTISTS
01-03-2021
In Kinigi , near the volcanoes national park and in Kigali, we established art galleries as a place for promoting the cultural heritage of Rwanda and disseminate information about the conservation of the great apes found within the great lakes region. The project is aimed at encouraging the local community to tell and sell the Rwandan story through art and crafts, tapping into, training and nurturing artistic talent and proper mastery of craft skills to make quality materials that can compete with and sell our culture internationally and create awareness of protecting the habitat and the rare mountain gorillas, chimps, Monkey and other species. Apart from arts and crafts, our centers also encourage performing arts like music dance, and drama which are enjoyed by visitors from all over the world that come to this center. So as a cultural center. Our project is creating alternative avenues for the local communities to earn income thereby diverting the undue pressure that had previously been put on the natural resources through illegal activities like poaching and deforestation of the national park, and also preserving our cultural heritage for future generations through art. At our center, we house conservation-themed artworks, cultural objects (material culture), and numerous handicraft items made by local women groups and youths in the Virunga massif region and even beyond. We use art projects as a way to help our local children develop their arts and crafts skills, which provide a unique, fun opportunity to learn and improve their creativity. When creating an arts and crafts piece, children are able to develop their skills and carry over into a multitude of other activities which will be especially important in giving the child a head start in school after the long holidays experienced due the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the most important benefits that arts and crafts give, is the chance to be creative. This makes the child see that their imagination has no limits
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THInC 2021 - Tourism and Hospitality International Conference on “CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND TOURISM FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT”
25-02-2021
The first edition of the Tourism and Hospitality International Conference (THInC) will focus on “CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND TOURISM FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT”. The event is organized by the Lusófona University (Portugal) and the Coventry University (United Kingdom), in collaboration with 'CEO CPL Meetings & Events', to be held on 2021, May 19th-21st. The main aim of the event will be that of promoting international debate on issues relating to cultural diversity and its link to tourism development. According to Fabio Carbone, Chair of the organizing committee, "we aim to give an impulse to the scientific research in this field and, on the other side, to raise awareness about the need for models of cooperation between all stakeholders to safeguard and enhance cultural diversity and facilitate the exchange of knowledge through innovative tourism practices based on cultural diversity and the SDGs' principles". Cultural diversity, as a source of exchange, innovation and creativity, is as necessary as services or infrastructure for the development of tourism destination. Tourism thus became not only one of the fastest growing sectors, but also an activity with the potential of promoting social cohesion and understanding at global level, as well as a powerful creative force that can contribute to mutual cultural enrichment, to the consolidation of the culture of peace and to the prosperity of people. In this sense, and considering the general principles contained in the conventions and the international declarations such as the Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001); UNESCO Conventions for the Safeguarding of the Cultural and Natural Tangible (1972) and intangible (2003) Heritage; the UNWTO Code of Ethics for Tourism and the principles underlining by the Sustainable Development Goals in the UN Agenda 2030. Scholars, practitioners and students from all over the world will exchange information both on academic advances and innovative practices.
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RED ROCKS SPORTS FOR CONSERVATION PROGRAM
25-02-2021
Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development brings together the community in support of its children through conservation and health education programs. Our dedicated team of Conservation Heritage members provides education to these children and their families to attain sustainable knowledge, practice, and enhance their health and communities through artistic and experiential projects. Our main focus is conservation and health education programs in schools from communities adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. This initiative was established not only to provide opportunities for future generations (children) who want to practice and play tennis, basketball, table tennis, and chess but also to encourage healthy living habits and unite communities in safeguarding Rwanda’s National Parks and wildlife. Children learn etiquette on and off the court, practice teamwork and proper sportsmanship, gaining strength, and being honest. They also understand how to win and lose! Competition becomes part of their life, it makes them improve and they try harder next time. We expanded our conservation education program to other places in our centers, that is in Northern, Western, and Eastern provinces where we established community centers and promoting health through sports, and create awareness of the advantages of protecting our environment. Our sports for conservation have made remarkable impacts on community members and the children providing an important role in community conservation and wellness.
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Red Rocks taking care of baby steps through provision of early childhood education
18-02-2021
The early years of life are critical for a child’s growth and development. Kids who are well nurtured, instructed and cared for during their earliest years in a family and social environment are more likely to grow physically and mentally healthy, develop language, thinking, social and emotional skills and achieve their full potential when they become adults. The above statement is the premise behind establishment of Red Rocks Kindergarten in Nyakinama village, Musanze district, where 150 group of children between the age of three and five years are now enrolled to receive early childhood education. Most of the children come from vulnerable families, they provided holistic education and we initiated this program to provide the best care for these young kids from poor rural families who otherwise would not have had access to early intervention in education at this young age due to their family backgrounds. The establishment of the kindergarten is part of Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development’s efforts to integrate tourism, conservation and community development around the Volcanoes National Parks, adding that some of their parents also have been actively involved in income-generating activities like making of traditional handcrafts they sell to tourists to uplift their living standards. We realized that apart from helping their parents to market their skills and products, and initiating programs to help them support their families, their children also needed an early good start in life and this is how the idea of kindergarten was born. With the support of donors and well-wishers, we also purchase them the scholastic materials they need so that they can have the best education possible at their early age. We teach the children positive values and Rwandan culture so that they can be agents to push forward the country’s rich cultural heritage, adding that we also involve them in bible studies to instill discipline in them at early age.
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Etico for sustainability
16-02-2021
The ETICO for Sustainability is a tool that assists stakeholders to adopt sustainable strategies, which guarantee an holistic integration at a social, cultural, environment and economic level. The main aim is to meet each stakeholder objectives, in line with each business environment and stakeholders, enhancing and highlighting the positive outcomes, for a sustainable future. Etico for Sustainability was established to support a wide range of different business and social areas as, Education, Sport, Tourism, Hospitality and other vital development areas, such as industry and services. Our main aim is to build resilient and inclusive societies. We are aware that Tourism and Hospitality brings a varied multitude of outcomes within the sector it operates and to external stakeholders involved. This is recognised by its vast international economic and social value and also for its remarkable environmental and sociocultural impacts. Therefore, Etico for Sustainability provides a support framework based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Etico for Sustainability contributes to differentiate stakeholders that commit with five main pillars, defined in line with the UN SDGs, namely People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships. Etico for Sustainabilty, is a referential framework which aims to assure the achievement of each UN SDGs by incorporating the Agenda 2030 within its business scope. We aim to achieve this by introducing and verifying basic management and functionality measures, that guarantee the commitment of a stakeholder with the UN SDGs and Agenda 2030.
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Slow Food Travel
16-02-2021
Behind every place lie stories, gastronomic traditions, artisanal flavors, and time-honored practices, preserved by women and men whose identities and cultures have been constructed over centuries. Every gastronomic tradition can become a unique tourism experience. Slow Food Travel offers a new model for tourism, made up of meetings and exchanges with farmers, cheesemakers, herders, butchers, bakers, and winegrowers who, along with the chefs who cook their products, will be the narrators of their local areas and unique guides to the local traditions. It proposes tourist itineraries with the aim of bringing travelers closer to the conservation of food biodiversity and to the knowledge of local cultures, identities, and gastronomies. Slow Food Travel offers territories the opportunity to develop their potential as a quality gastronomic destination, in compliance with the strict guidelines and philosophy of the association, through the construction of alliances and experiences that best enhance the local gastronomic heritage.
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CEnTOUR
16-02-2021
CEnTOUR - CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN TOURISM is a European project funded by COSME, with duration from September 2020 to September 2023. CENTOUR is a strategic opportunity to develop and test innovative ideas to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector towards the transition to a circular economy, fostering an integrated system at local/regional level. SMEs, in particular of the tourism sector, are slowly approaching the challenges of moving from a linear to a circular economic model and, given the average size, do not normally have the resources and skills to face it with the appropriate tools and references. Tourism systems are very tied systems that benefit from an integrated approach to business development, both in terms of efficiency and promotion. It is therefore important to support SMEs in the development and implementation of circular businesses (in terms of knowledge transfer, skills, innovation, certifications) and to realize them within an integrated system for the local development. CENTOUR fosters innovative solutions for sustainable tourism development and management of tourism enterprises, through transnational cooperation and knowledge transfer, in particular toward SMEs focused on local supply chains and developing industrial symbiosis to develop circular business models. The Consortium of CEnTOUR is consisted of 10 partner entities: P1. Marche Chamber of Commerce –ITALY P2. Marche Politechnic University UNIVPM – ITALY P3. Chamber of Commerce of Cantabria – SPAIN P4. ECORES - BELGIUM P5. ODIMM Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises Sector Development – MOLDOVA P6. BICT Business Innovation Center – NORTH MACEDONIA P7. Xanthi Chamber Of Commerce – GREECE P8. Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) – CYPRUS P9.Forum of the Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce- ITALY P10. Progetto ARCADIA - ITALY
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Learn, Earn and Save (U-LEARN II)
16-02-2021
The U-LEARN Project targets economically, socially and academically disadvantaged youth between the ages of 18 and24 years from families living below or slightly above the national poverty line of $1.90 a day. It is implemented in 14 districts in the Mwanza and Mara regions of Tanzania and 11 districts in the Central, East and Western regions of Uganda. The project focuses on three broad sectors. These are agri-business, building and construction and tourism and hospitality. These sectors are fast growing and require more locally skilled personnel to meet demand and enhance growth. The project is guided by a unique youth and market-driven learning group model. Youth, particularly young women, are engaged in all aspects of the project, including design, implementation, and management. Swisscontact acts as a market facilitator; building capacity within local institutions to deliver relevant training, business, and employment services to the youth. Through learning groups, Swisscontact offers a holistic package including technical and vocational skills training, business support services, market access and linkages, social and healthy living skills training, and financial service support. To learn more about the programme, follow the links below. The programme is financed by the Mastercard Foundation
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CEnTOUR
11-02-2021
CEnTOUR - CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN TOURISM is a European project funded by COSME, with duration from September 2020 to September 2023. CENTOUR is a strategic opportunity to develop and test innovative ideas to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector towards the transition to a circular economy, fostering an integrated system at local/regional level. SMEs, in particular of the tourism sector, are slowly approaching the challenges of moving from a linear to a circular economic model and, given the average size, do not normally have the resources and skills to face it with the appropriate tools and references. Tourism systems are very tied systems that benefit from an integrated approach to business development, both in terms of efficiency and promotion. It is therefore important to support SMEs in the development and implementation of circular businesses (in terms of knowledge transfer, skills, innovation, certifications) and to realize them within an integrated system for the local development. CENTOUR fosters innovative solutions for sustainable tourism development and management of tourism enterprises, through transnational cooperation and knowledge transfer, in particular toward SMEs focused on local supply chains and developing industrial symbiosis to develop circular business models. The Consortium of CEnTOUR is consisted of 10 partner entities: P1. Marche Chamber of Commerce –ITALY P2. Marche Politechnic University UNIVPM – ITALY P3. Chamber of Commerce of Cantabria – SPAIN P4. ECORES - BELGIUM P5. ODIMM Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises Sector Development – MOLDOVA P6. BICT Business Innovation Center – NORTH MACEDONIA P7. Xanthi Chamber Of Commerce – GREECE P8. Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) – CYPRUS P9.Forum of the Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce- ITALY P10. Progetto ARCADIA - ITALY
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09-02-2021
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We made it happen! Ado-Awaye now has electricity!
09-02-2021
#RestartTourism When my team(ComeMakeWeGo Africa) and I started marketing Ado-Awaye located in Oyo state Nigeria, as a great hiking destination, a core of our plan was to ensure overnight stay in the destination. - We knew there were challenges to face, but, we also knew the goal. We had gone to meet the managers of the two motels located in the community, our meeting with the managers led to the improvement of their facilities - new bedsheets, curtains, cleaner toilets, to mention a few. We then donated dozens of waste bins which were strategically placed around the destination. - To ensure tourists keep the destination clean. But here was the issue. - No electricity. We made negotiations with the motels to run their generators from 7 pm-12 am whenever we brought a guest. - But, this didn’t make sense in the long run. - tourist gets uneasy after 12am, also, hike in petrol price made it uneconomical for the motels to run. In partnership with the King of the destination (HRM Oba Revd. Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi, Makuledoye 11, Iludero1) we got intentional about dealing with the electricity challenge and so, work began, letters and meetings here and there. - it has all paid off. Thanks to the tourist who have visited Ado-Awaye while it was in darkness, now, there is light, let’s #RestartTourism at Ado-Awaye. Thanks to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde who understands the value that can be generated from tourism if well harnessed by the state. Thanks to the Paramount Traditional Ruler in Ado-Awaye and Araromi LCDA, HRM Oba Revd. Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi, Makuledoye 11, Iludero1. - We at ComeMakeWeGo Africa believe that any development can only be sustainable when the locals themselves understand and accept it. - And this, of course, has been displayed by the cooperation of the King and the people of Ado-Awaye. Thanks to every tour operator who has brought in hikers into Ado-Awaye,. You also made this happen!
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CUBES - Cultural Administration Boosting with the Engagement of Sustainability for the local communities
05-02-2021
CUBES - Cultural Administration Boosting with the Engagement of Sustainability for the Local Communities is a project co-funded by Erasmus+, aiming to design and develop a training program offered on an inclusive, interactive and user-friendly digital platform, to create and disseminate know-how regarding the sustainable administration of tangible and intangible cultural resources in order to empower all sectors of society, including tourism, the economy and the local communities, to own and administer their cultural resources in sustainable ways, aiming at both cultural democracy, cultural sustainability and sustainable tourism, economy and development. Main objectives of the CUBES project: - To empower local communities in the participating countries with knowledge and awareness on significant aspects of cultural administration and sustainable development - To provide target groups with all the necessary knowledge so that they can act as access point-role mentors in the local communities, taking up the responsibility of informing, guiding, mentoring the other members of the communities in a series of cultural management & sustainability framework - To give the chance to youth & women of these local communities to act as leaders in their communities - To digitize the quality of learning content as a driver for systematic change in cultural administration & sustainability and for an increase in the quality of training - To create and deliver innovative products and training digital tools based on differentiation methodologies and adult education approaches The partnership of the CUBES project consists of: Homo Eminens - Lithuania (Project Leader), Center for Social Innovation - Cyprus, MINDSHIFT - Portugal, Sarajevo Meeting of Culture - SMOC (Bosnia Herzegovina), Xenios Polis Culture, Science & Action - Greece, GRIPEN - Romania, NGO Support Center - Cyprus, University of Peloponnese - Greece, Assembly of European Regions (France)
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COMMUNITY BASED TOURISM
04-02-2021
Red Rocks initiatives for sustainable development have fulfilled the dream of ensuring communities are the direct beneficiaries of all our actions. All the activities go under the name of Eco-tour have been designed to work on local sustainable development through tourism and the collaboration of external partners. The Igihoho seed bag is one of these. This project idea came with Greg from Spain in 2016, and is implementing the governmental restriction on use and manufacturing of single-use plastic items, which were banned in 2008 and finally became law in 2019. For a long time already, these bags have represented a new norm for the region’s communities. They now regularly recycle the fibre of the abundant banana trees, and even before plastic was conclusively banned by law, they were experiencing the benefits and had introduced ecological alternatives for all their tree-planting activities. All the activities linked directly to the land, like local food preparation, farming with local families and beekeeping, and the botanical tours which can be taken in the Kinigi centre, are working in two directions: generating alternative income as well as educating the locals on the eco-friendly alternatives available, often from the same products that were considered as waste. Recycling, upcycling and other circular economy concepts are available to be explored and applied. In Red Rocks currently, the workshops on the use of banana eco-paper production, the Igihoho eco-friendly seed bag and even the banana beer preparation are excellent opportunities to maintain environmental sustainable activities while providing extra income for the people directly involved and, at the same time, bringing benefits to the local environment and to the community as a whole.
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Youth Advisory Council
01-02-2021
Travel Unity, an NGO focused on increasing diversity in the world of travel, is seeking youth (13+) and adults to join its Youth Advisory Council. Applicants from all backgrounds and those with disabilities are encouraged to apply! Travel Unity's main SDG alignment is with No Poverty (1), Quality Education (4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (8), and Reduced Inequalities (10) - More info here: https://travelunity.org/sdgs Youth Advisory Council members will work with one another and Travel Unity's staff, Board, and Advisors on Travel Unity's programs and mission. Volunteers must be able to work on a team basis, communicate regularly, be proficient with meeting programs (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.), and enjoy the excitement of collaborative output. This is a great opportunity to work with fellow youth from around the world who care about culture, travel, and inclusion, along with an array of professionals dedicated to creating a more equitable world. https://travelunity.org/TUYAC
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Verona In tour
28-01-2021
Verona In Tour creates tailor-made travel experiences and sojourns, authentic itineraries, private events and celebrations. Verona In Tour was created to offer experiences and activities to develop empathy enhancing unique landscapes, traditions and flavors and encouraging sustainable tourism. Our aim is to promote tourism in lesser known areas, particularly smaller villages, towns and in the countryside. This has the double goal of taking some pressure off over-crowded cities, reducing the damage deriving from mass tourism, and of spreading the wealth to other beautiful but less known sites. In fact, our offices are  located at Villafranca di Verona, a town near Verona that is less-known but very important in terms of history. Our added value is based on our services. We offer high quality, organized and authentic touristic services that contribute in the promotion of a sustainable lifestyle including the 3 pillars of sustainability: -Social: one of our main goals is to have a product that can give the real essence of our culture, preserving it and giving it value. -Economic: we contribute to the economy while spreading the economic benefits of tourism mainly to rural areas, paying fairly to our employees and suppliers and -establishing a fair price for our products. -Environmental: one of our bases is the active tourism that promotes green mobility, resulting in the creation of more sustainable cities not only for residents but also for tourists (i.e. the promotion of cycle-paths). All our tours are accompanied by expert local guides and are done in an ecological and genuine way using mainly non-polluting means, such as bicycles, horses or on foot and in full respect of the environment, the local economy, culture and the people who live there. And, at the same time, enhancing unconventional places such as the countryside and small villages that are often dulled by the mass-tourism cities such as Verona.
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HORIZON Solar folding roof over large parking areas e.g. near mountain railways and tourist attractions
22-01-2021
For the first time in the world, the HORIZON solar folding roof enables double use of parking areas and industrial usable areas for solar power production without the area underneath being restricted. HORIZON increases the efficiency of parking and logistics areas and offers decisive advantages over conventional carports. This is made possible thanks to the innovative lightweight construction and the patented folding mechanism. Very wide column spacings and a large height above the ground allow full freedom of use for vehicles, logistics, and goods and at the same time halve the use of materials compared to comparable systems. During winter electricity production is also possible without interruption: When it snows, the roof is retracted fully automatically, the modules remain snow-free and immediately produce electricity again the next time the sun shines. Another advantage of the solar folding roof is the charging infrastructure for the increasingly popular electric mobility. Last but not least, thanks to its aesthetic design, it enjoys great acceptance among the population and thus contributes to the positive image of the company.
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CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY BASED TOURISM ACTIVITIES
21-01-2021
We at Red Rocks Rwanda fulfilled our dream of starting the process that puts communities at its center, and that ensures they are the direct beneficiaries of all its actions. All our activities that go under the name of Eco-tour have been designed to work on local sustainable development through tourism and the collaboration of external partners. The Igihoho seed bag is one of these. This project idea came after the government restricted the use and manufacturing of single-use plastic items, which were banned in 2008 and finally became law in 2019. For a long time already, these bags have represented a new norm for the region’s communities. They now regularly recycle the fiber of the abundant banana trees, and even before plastic was conclusively banned by law, they were experiencing the benefits and the locals had introduced ecological alternatives for all their tree-planting activities. All the activities linked directly to the land, like local food preparation, farming with local families and beekeeping, and the botanical tours, are working in two directions: generating alternative income as well as educating the locals on the eco-friendly alternatives available, often from the same products that were considered as waste. Recycling, upcycling, and other circular economy concepts are available to be explored and applied. At our premises the workshops on the use of banana eco-paper papers, the Igihoho eco-friendly seed bag, and even the banana beer preparation are excellent opportunities to maintain environmental sustainable activities while providing extra income for the people directly involved and, at the same time, bringing benefits to the local environment and to the community as a whole.
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MUSANZE THE ECO TOURISM DESTINATION OF RWANDA
18-01-2021
Musanze district is the hub of Rwanda’s tourism industry and a source of many adventures, also known as the food basket of Rwanda, due to the fact that it’s the only area in Rwanda which receives high rainfall and got volcanic soils which are good for food growing. It has a long list of adventure activities on offer. However, when the spotlight is put on an adventure, most people will immediately think of the mountain gorillas. This would be right since the primates have positioned themselves as the icon of Rwanda’s tourist attraction. But there are other must-see attractions in Musanze, such as the Musanze Caves, as well as other animals that reside in the Volcanoes National Park. There is also the historic Buhanga Eco-Park, which was a sacred forest where Rwandan kings performed initiation ceremonies. Whenever you get to visit this city, do miss out on some different tourism attractions, that are around the city, take your time to visit Diana Fossey Museum, continue visiting Red Rocks Arts Center in Kinigi, that is focusing on art for conservation, Continue your trip with the visit to Inshuti Art center. If time permits, get the local guide from Red rocks cultural center, who will give you a full tour of Musanze, that includes the visit to the cultural center and during your city tour, take time to check on one of the famous Mirror on the Rock behind Amahoro Tours office, that has also a very nice view of the city of Musanze, take some good photos of the view and the Mirror that Reflects, life in the Rwandan community, from the past to the present. The tour will take you up to Ruhondo Lake and enjoy fishing with the locals and get to taste some if you can.
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RED ROCKS COMMUNITY CONSERVATION CENTERS IN RWANDA
18-01-2021
Red Rocks community conservation centers within Rwanda, the center are based in Kinigi, Kigali, Kayonza, Kabaya, and Bulera, we work with the local community to improve their livelihoods using tourism as a tool for sustainable development for both the community and the biodiversity areas through research and projects that implement grassroots conservation of wildlife. KINIGI COMMUNITY CONSERVATION CENTER (ARTS FOR CONSERVATION) Since 2018, after the establishment of Red Rocks Arts Gallery in Kinigi, near the volcanoes national park, we have been the sole visual Arts gallery, promoting painting workshops in the Kinigi village to empower the young talented artisans to get involved in the efforts of conserving the endangered Mountain gorillas through arts and crafts. KAYONZA COMMUNITY CONSERVATION CENTER (ECO-FARMING) Located at Kayonza District, Rwinkwavu Sector, some 70 kilometers from Kigali city, Eastern province - we initiated the idea of commercializing the emerging eco-farmers who lack the resources and expertise to participate in the mainstream economy and to help them adapt to climate change. KABAYA COMMUNITY CONSERVATION CENTER (CULTURAL & HERITAGE PRESERVATION) Kabaya center is located in the western province, near the Gishwati forest national park. We involve the local community to focus on protecting and caring for tangible cultural heritage items, including artworks, architecture, archaeology, and ancient collections. BULERA COMMUNITY CONSERVATION CENTER (FARM TOURISM) Bulera community center is located just at the foothills of Muhabura mountain of the extinct volcanoes of the Virunga massif, 30 kilometers from Musanze town, on the way to the border of Rwanda and Uganda – Cyanika. KIGALI COMMUNITY CONSERVATION CENTER (ARTS & CRAFTS GALLERY) Great Vision Needs Great Partners, Red rocks initiative for sustainable development(RRISD) partnered with Rwanda Ex-combatants and other people with disabilities organization (RECOPDO) and Inshuti Arts
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Museums and Disaster Risk Reduction: building resilience in museums, society and nature
18-01-2021
This free Guide (which can be dowloaded at this link: https://bit.ly/3nTpONk) aims to help empower museums (small, large and of any kind, anywhere), museum workers, museum networks and their partners to draw on Disaster Risk Reduction approaches. This should help them reduce the impact of disasters, whether COVID-19, climate change, or any other kind of disaster, for the benefit of themselves, their communities, and the natural environment. Disaster Risk Reduction is the subject of a number of SDGs, notably SDGs 11.5 and 11.B, while COVID-19 and its management also relates to SDG 3.D. The Guide has two main goals: 1. To help museums build their resilience, and reduce the impact of disasters on museums themselves. 2. To help museums contribute to resilience-building in the wider world, for the benefit of society and the natural environment.
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A Global Initiative for Tourism Executives - Recovery and Resilience Dialogue Event 3
11-01-2021
Leading public and private executives from around the world tell you how COVID-19 has influenced their strategies and measures regarding ecological sustainability. They share with you how they (try to) gain a competitive edge by measuring, reducing, and communicating the ecological footprint of their organisation or destination, and how they improve tourism's ecological performance and resilience by strengthening local and nearby markets. Be part of the initiatives by the World Economic Forum, the UN World Tourism Organization, and the UN Global Compact to make tourism more resilient and sustainable! Listen to and discuss with the following decision-makers: • Manfred Häupl, Owner and Executive Director of the tour operator Hauser Exkursionen • Arvind Bundhun, Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority • Paul Jones, Founder & President of the hospitality corporation The Lux Colective, Mauritius • Martina von Münchhausen, Senior Programme Manager Sustainable Tourism of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) • Collaborative strategy “México 2030": land of future tourism”: Miguel Torruco Marqués, Minister of Tourism; Rosi Amerena, Coordinator of "México 2030”
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Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility towards Smart Destinations
11-01-2021
Integration of regional/local policies for Sustainable Mobility, Accessibility & low-carbon Responsible Travel, with policies for efficient sustainable tourism towards a low-carbon economy, requires particular attention in the EU. This is a common challenge that public regional/local and transport authorities increasingly face, particularly at busy destinations with high tourism travel flows (inc. in South Europe, coastal, maritime & insular, mass tourism destinations). Immediate action is needed through interregional cooperation to capitalise best practices, improve policy instruments & prepare action plans with implementation monitoring & evaluation. The DESTI-SMART project, addresses the above towards 'Smart Destinations', for sustainable & responsible tourism development in Europe, with low-carbon, multimodal sustainable mobility & accessibility. The overall objective is to improve the transport and tourism policies of EU destinations, by integrating strategies for sustainable mobility, accessibility and responsible travel with efficient & sustainable tourism development, for transition to a low-carbon economy, through efficiency, resilience, multimodality, novel low-carbon transport systems, cycling & walking, with implementation innovations, policy learning and capacity building. The following pressing issues are addressed: - Investments in low-carbon transport systems for mode shift to sustainable tourism mobility, incl. Electro-Mobility - Intermodality facilities for visitors, including ICT, Mobile Aps & MaaS - Accessible tourism for all - Cycling & Walking facilities & promotion for visitors. Main outputs: - policy learning & capacity building for public authorities & their stakeholders - improved policy instruments & action plans in 9 destinations, with close involvement of stakeholders - advances in EU2020 objectives - communication & dissemination learning materials. Smart Mobility towards Smart Destinations & Tourism
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koolchap
10-01-2021
koolchap, lorestan,,IRAN
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koolchap
10-01-2021
koolchap, lorestan,,IRAN
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Cultural and Creative Tourism based on Cultural and Creative Industries for SME Competitiveness
07-01-2021
The potential of Cultural & Creative Industries (CCIs) in developing new Cultural & Creative Tourism (CCT) products and services for Growth & Jobs, is being advanced by the Cult-CreaTE project with policy change in 8 EU regions. Common challenges are: - The contribution of CCIs to CCT has not been given the attention it deserves to date. Cultural tourism needs CCIs to partially reinvent itself and attract the new generations. CCIs are also an indispensable source of innovation for other types of sustainable tourism, typically ‘Creative Tourism’. - Creative Tourism is considered a new generation of cultural tourism by involving the tourists themselves and the locals in the creation of the tourist products (co-creation). - CCIs are in a strategic position to promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in all EU regions and cities, and thus contribute fully to the Europe 2020 Strategy and beyond, through their deployment for CCT. - While some EU regions have been very good at tapping into this extraordinary potential as a way to promote socio-economic development, it however, appears that many others have not been making most of this potential. - Synergies between sustainable tourism and CCIs can enhance the visibility and promotion of CCT. These synergies can contribute to the promotion of sustainable tourism destinations, an attraction of new investment and creation of new employment opportunities, particularly for youth and in lagging regions. The overall objective is to redeploy CCIs for the development and promotion of CCT strategies, with sustainability, innovations, capitalisation, policy learning, policy implementation and capacity building. Main outputs are action plans, with implementation and monitoring of improved policy instruments in 8 EU destination regions, communication and dissemination tools for policy learning and capacity building, contribution to EU policies and SDGs. The beneficiaries are public authorities and their stakeholders.
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CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND TOURISM (SESSION 6): WBG Learning Series
07-01-2021
The tourism sector is a generator of jobs and income but without proper systems in place, tourism can consume large quantities of energy, water, and plastics which degrade the environmental quality of coastal destinations and ecosystems and affect the lives of residents. New and circular business models are needed to change the way tourism operates and enable businesses and destinations to be sustainable. The COVID-19-related tourism pause is an opportunity to rethink, refocus, and reimagine how the tourism sector can build a better and more circular economy tourism system for the future. This Webinar brings together policy-makers and leading private sector stakeholders to discuss the needed transition to circular business models and explore approaches to operationalizing a circular tourism economy in a post-COVID world Join us on 12th January 2020 (Tuesday) | 8.30 – 10.00am EST (NY Time) | 14:30 - 16:00 (CET). Register HERE #Tourism4Dev #circulareconomy
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More than Gorillas
07-01-2021
Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development has always known that there is more to in Rwanda than the gorillas it is famous for, and we wanted to create more reasons for tourists to visit this green land. We involve community engagement as the core of the tourism offer; we discovered interconnectedness and wants to use tourism as a tool for local development. There is indeed more than just gorillas in Rwanda. There is a variety of bountiful natural environments. On the thousand hills for which the country is famous, agriculture flourishes. Tea and coffee plantations follow bananas, avocados, oranges and other fruit trees, and, of course, plenty of maize, rice, cassava and other crops. Five national parks cover a relatively small area, incorporating volcanic mountains in the north, an inland sea – Lake Kivu – trekking trails and waterfalls in the west, the montane rainforest of the Nyungwe Forest National Park, with the chimpanzee and the blue monkey, in the southern province, and savannah woodland in the eastern province. But again, there is more than that. There is also art, and many local artists and artisans. The women use grass to weave colourful baskets and clay and water to mould rounded vases. They also set the rhythm of many celebrations in Rwanda. Umutima w’urugo’ –‘the heart of the house is a woman’. Therefore, it is usually our women usually welcome the visitors with powerful drumming sessions and take the backbone of any cultural performance. There are women and there is youth, as well as ancient knowledge, and many skills that are ever-improving so we linking all the dots through tourism. RWANDAN COMMUNITY-LED INITIATIVES : Red Rocks Rwanda (RRR), the social enterprise established in 2010 that offers tours led by well-trained locals, gave birth in 2017 to its sister organization, Red Rock Initiative (RRI). This local NGO focuses on the sustainable development of communities through a variety of programmes. RRI’s mission is to ‘improve community
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koolchap
06-01-2021
koolchap, IRAN, LORESTAN
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Descending from the alpine pasture in Entlebuch
05-01-2021
Since 2004, the Entlebuch alpine herders (“Älpler”) have been bringing their cattle down from the alp to the valley together. Seven proud Älpler families take part in the Entlebucher Alpabzug with their approximately 250 festively decorated animals. In Schüpfheim more than 10’000 locals and guests await to warmly welcome them. Yodelers, alphorn blowers, traditional dance groups and flag-wavers accompany the Älper families on the procession and meet for an impressive concert on the church steps. At the large cheese and regional product market, visitors can taste and buy the local products. The cheerful Älplerchilbi lasts until well into the evening. The idea of the joint alpine departure arose within the framework of a research project on the future of alpine farming. By strengthening the cohesion among the Älpler families and the joy of the profession, it can contribute to the long-term preservation of the alpine economy. The market offers an ideal sales platform for alpine and regional products and direct contact with consumers. The living tradition gives insight into the life of the alpine farmers and raises the guests’ awareness for the various challenges around it. Today, it is jointly supported and organized by the alpine farmers, tourism, the community and the Entlebuch Biosphere.
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digital “igitaramo”
28-12-2020
You are invited to an open digital “igitaramo” – which is the Rwandan word for an occasion when people of diverse cultures come together to share their stories. A concept fitting perfect into the idea of OUR FUTURE. The aim with OUR FUTURE is to open up for conversations between communities and destinations around the globe. To learn from each other, to share experiences and to reflect on identified dilemmas, challenges and opportunities. In the Rwandan spirit of igitaramo, the event will be broadcast worldwide from the Red Rocks Intercultural Center. This will be the time for Rwanda to showcase local and regional assets and good examples from across the country of sustainable community based tourism, promoting conservation and community development projects. Rwandans will have the chance to share snapshots of their vast cultural richness as well as openly discuss their most pressing concerns with a tuned-in, progressive digitally hosted group of "outsider" panelists from around the world. Welcome to the conservation, no matter who you are. We invite you, the people of Rwanda, but also everyone else from around the globe. Tour operators, stakeholders of community-based tourism, universities, conservation and destination development organizations, and others with special interest in this event. This is a locally held event, in an international context. So, SAVE THE DATE and register to the event already now! More information will be posted first week of January together with the announcement of the panel members.
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Mountain
24-12-2020
The stronger you are, the more mountains will be available to you, so enjoy it instead of enduring the hardships of climbing.
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Expedition to 10 Highest Mountain in Australia Continent to Support Gender Equality & HEFORSHE
24-12-2020
The team of 4 Male and 4 Female led by Mr. Anand Bansode climbed Mount Kosciuzko and 9 other top mountain in Australia Continent to support HEFORSHE. Team has done LIMCA BOOK OF RECORD and supported SDG. He was the 1st person who did workon HEFORSHE before even HEFORSHE campaign launched in INDIA (2014).
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Aua Forta – Water Days Engadin Scuol
23-12-2020
The traditional Water Days Engadin Scuol will be given a new concept and will now include a symposium. In cooperation with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), a festival of ideas has been developed which provides an ideal basis for the new symposium. At this ideas festival, which will be accompanied by exciting and top-class specialist presentations, participants will be able to develop solutions and ideas on current climate issues together with selected speakers. The symposium with the theme "Water, Climate and Tourism in Mountain Regions" will be enriched with exciting excursions around the main topics of the symposium and with a top-class supporting programme. Get involved in the Ideas Festival and get to know sustainable showcase projects in the Engadin mountain world on selected excursions.
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Alpbeizli-Pass
22-12-2020
The Korporation Uri, one of the largest landowners in the canton of Uri, is a central partner for the Uri Holiday Region. The property of the Korporation covers almost all alpine pastures, most of the forest, lakes and streams as well as agricultural land on the valley floor. These valuable natural assets represent a significant part of the tourist attractiveness of the Uri Holi-day Region and form the basis for the tourism development of the destination in the strategic thematic focal points "Mountain summer in Uri" and "Active on the road". Within the framework of the strategic focal points, the Alps are to be made experiencable for the guests. The personal and thus unique experience makes a visit to an alp in Uri an unforgettable excursion. The guests discover unknown regions, feel the need to come again and finally recommend them to friends and family. For this purpose, the "Alpbeizli-Pass" (stamp collection card) was developed. It is aimed for all hiking enthusiasts who are interested in alpine culture or who simply like to stop in and enjoy local products such as fresh alpine cheese. For every visit to an Alpbeizli (alp inn run by mountain farmers), you get a stamp. The goal of every hiker and alp lover would be to collect all the stamps from every listed alp inns. The pass has been available since sum-mer 2015 and is still popular with guests. The "Alpbeizli-Pass" not only encourages guests and locals to get to know different alp inns and thus new hikes and regions, but also promotes the added value of the alpine businesses. Thanks to the collecting fever, several hikes are made. Thus, the "Alpbeizli-Pass" encourages hikers to go hiking several times in the canton of Uri. At the end of the season, the "Alpbeizli-Passes" can be returned to the Uri Holiday Region. For all hikers who have collected all stamps, great prizes are waiting. Moreover, a main prize will be raffled among all participants who have collected at least three stamps.
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Pro-Women - Upskilling Itineraries Up-skilling Itineraries for Women as New Cultural Promoters to Enhance Territorial Heritage
21-12-2020
Pro-Women – Up-skilling Itineraries for Women as New Cultural Promoters to Enhance Territorial Heritage is an Erasmus+ KA2 project that wants to promote equal opportunities and social-labour inclusion of the low-skilled and unemployed women by providing intervention tools for training and empowerment. The target group will undertake a participative learning path to strengthen their competences and acquire new ones, with the final aim of supporting their employability in the Tourism sector. The project challenge is to operate in sustainable tourism. Therefore, this sector must increasingly be approached with a view of enhancing the cultural and environmental heritage, namely the legacy which includes tangible and intangible culture, as well as natural heritage (landscapes, biodiversity, etc.). Objectives: - To valorise innovative methodological approaches aimed at women empowerment. - To facilitate low-skilled and unemployed women’s access to training, employment, and entrepreneurship by empowering them. - To boost cultural growth, enhancement of cultural heritages, social inclusion, and cohesion processes involving local communities. - To promote entrepreneurship among the target group as a way of improving its social and labour situation. - To provide professionals and educators working with women with efficient tools as a Learning Package and Handbooks aimed at supporting target groups’ social and labour integration. The partners involved in Pro-Women project are: - Cooperativa Sociale San Saturnino Onlus - Italy (coordinator) - Obiettivo Famiglia / Federcasalinghe - Italy - Center for Social Innovation CSI - Cyprus - WISAMAR - Germany - Ayuntamiento de Torrijos - Spain - AFORMAC - France
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OK:GO Initiative
17-12-2020
Many tourism service providers in Switzerland have offers that are suitable for some senior citizens and people with disabilities. However, there is often little information available to the public. Now, the Accessible Switzerland Association would like to change that with the help of the OK:GO Initiative. Our vision is for all Swiss tourism service providers to make information about the accessibility of their offerings publicly available in a well-structured format. To implement the scheme, OK:GO relies on input from individual businesses. Companies can gather, manage, and communicate the information themselves using a simple system based on technology provided by ginto, a platform operated by the association AccessibilityGuide. If a business would like to participate in the initiative, the required information can be collected using the ginto app. After that, the company adds the OK:GO logo to its website which links to the information it has provided. The OK:GO logo on the website signals to visitors that they are welcome and that accessibility information is available.
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Corporate Volunteering in Swiss Parks
14-12-2020
Swiss nature parks regularly organize volunteering events for companies that strive to contribute to environmental sustainability by actively engaging their employees in this cause. Participants help to maintain valuable natural and cultural landscapes in Swiss parks. In doing so they get to know the park, exchange ideas with the local population and enjoy regional specialities. Competent accompanying persons impart knowledge about the local fauna, flora and regional culture.
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La Route Verte
10-12-2020
La Route Verte is a 7-day e-bike itinerary that leads tourists from Schaffhausen to Geneva through the Jura Arc's six Regional Nature Parks. For every stage, a "living landscape" is presented and presents how a landscape (for example the vineyards of the Blauburgunderland in Schaffhause Nature Park) is maintained by local people who work hand in hand with nature (here, the winemaker) to create delicious and sustainable products (the wine). By meeting locally engaged people and by buying the local products, tourists can help support not only the local economy but also the beautiful nature and environment they cycle through. Apart from wine, La Route Verte also showcases high-stem orchards, the forest as a economic and social ressource, Franches-Montagnes horses, dry-stoned walls, Absinth and alpine pasture cheese. By telling these "behind the scene" stories, La Route Verte creates a special bond between the tourists and the landscapes they learn to love. In addition to raising awareness for local products and the interrelation of it with maintaining Switzerland's landscapes, La Route Verte also encourages people to go on a healthy active holiday, offers a care-freee holiday with a luggage transfer solution and connects over 100 players (the parks, the tourist offices, hotels and restaurants, ...) all over the Jura Arc.
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INTEGRATING TOURISM, CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
10-12-2020
Despite spatial importance of national parks and other protected areas and increasing threats posed to nature by different agents, successful conservation still remains inconsistent and, in some instances, controversial. Tourism is a challenging business. The whole of Africa only attracts 5% of global travellers. And the market is quite competitive. Tour operators have to deal with high overhead costs and low profit margins. Furthermore, this industry is sensitive to shocks caused by disease outbreaks, natural disasters and political instability and the current global pandemic effects of COVID-19. What all these imply is that there’s little money spared for large-scale conservation efforts and/or sustainable community development. And strong competition among tour firms for bookings necessitates promotion of famous animal species like the mountain gorillas in the Virunga massif and the Big 5. The protection of the critically endangered species has also been a major concern for industry players. However, less captivating animals and plants are often overlooked. The hope, for these reasons, placed in ecotourism as part of solution to Africa’s poverty and conservation problems has not been realized. But all is not lost. There’s a flicker of light beginning to shine at the end of a tunnel. At our premises based in Nyakinama Village, 8 kilometers from Musanze town we are taking a lead in integrating tourism, conservation and community development around the Volcanoes National Park. Instead of basing our activities on wistful thinking and profit-driven motifs, we changed the narrative by establishing partnership with other ecotourism ventures, charitable NGOs and volunteers to fulfill our different programs running under Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development . And these partnerships seem to be working better. Red Rocks ecotourism programs continue to provide environmentally-sensitive employment to the locals, mostly youth and women,
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Tourism&covid 19
06-12-2020
Toghether we can save the world
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A Global Initiative for Tourism Executives - Recovery and Resilience Dialogue Event 2
02-12-2020
Leading public and private executives from around the world share with you how they use data for a more balanced tourism. The data-based forecasting and guidance of tourism flows can help reduce public health risks, improve social acceptance and make more people and places benefit from our sector. Be part of the initiatives by the World Economic Forum, the UN World Tourism Organization, and the UN Global Compact to make tourism more resilient and sustainable! Listen to and discuss with the following decision-makers: • Ignacio Barrios, CEO of the analytics firm Kido Dynamics • Jon Erni, Founder & President of the back-end provider discover.swiss • Sérgio Guerreiro, Senior Director of Knowledge Management and Innovation of Turismo de Portugal • Jeremy Sampson, CEO of The Travel Foundation • Eduard Torres, President of Turisme de Barcelona On December 9, 2020 (2:30-4:00pm, Central European Time on ZOOM/Webex
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Walk the Talk
30-11-2020
On behalf of the Switzerland State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), we have developed "Walk the talk“, a new format of knowledge transfer. SECO wants to multiply touristic projects and increase the transfer of know-how from implemented Innotour projects. In the form of inspiring walks and talk sessions in unconventional locations in the „Mattequartier“ of Bern (theatre, cinema and advertising agency), prominent figures from tourism will hold interesting panel discussions on the following topics: „the way to successful cooperation“, „making sustainable use of synergies with agriculture“, „relieving tourist accommodations through new guest data management“ and „product development for tomorrow’s tourism adventures“. Going for a walk in between talks provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on podium inputs, to exchange personal experiences, and to bring up concerns and ques5ons. With the chosen format, gutundgut has been able to create an inspiring environment where a friendly atmosphere between panelists and participating professionals is created and thus a lot of prac5cal knowledge is conveyed. The events are organized and moderated from A to Z by gutundgut gmbh on behalf of SECO.
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Ksar Ghilane
30-11-2020
For many years the oasis Ksar Ghilane was known for its very high quality of dates. Today the oasis is threatened by the increasing day tourism. This has a negative effect on the ecosystem and generates little added value. At the beginning of January 2019, Rafael Enzler and Christian Müller from gutundgut worked together with André Gribi from the Hotel & Gastro Consulting GmbH to develop the first foundations for sustainable tourism development. Workshops were held with local authorities, service providers as well as residents. A sustainable concept for water quality, electricity, transport, and waste management was developed and should provide the necessary basis to improve local tourism.
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Vajra Eco Resort Nepal
30-11-2020
The Vajra Eco Resort is a breeding ground for sustainable entrepreneurship. Nepal is not only in need of educated young people but also of those who are interested in creating new jobs as entrepreneurs. With this in mind, the project of building a sustainable hotel complex was initiated. Apprentices from all sectors have the opportunity to complete an internship and gain work experience, hopefully with the aim of one day establishing their own business. The hotel complex is a socially responsible corporation as a part of the profit is donated to social projects. A solar kitchen, biogas recycling facility, an own dairy factory and a small hydroelectric power station for electricity make the complex self-sufficient. Even vegetables are grown in the hotel’s own organic garden. The doctor’s office also offers their services and information to the local population. This comprehensive sustainable approach of the Vajra Eco Resort can be seen as a pioneer.
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Tourism development South Albania
30-11-2020
gutundgut was asked by the German Society for International Cooperation to analyze the tourism potential and create a tourism strategy for the southern Albanian cities Vlora, Himara, and Konispol. This strategy for sustainable tourism in the southern coastal region is currently being developed in close collaboration with the local people and workers. First, it was important to become familiar with the region. By traveling through the country Christian Müller and Rafael Enzler from gutundgut became acquainted with the present state of the region and got to know the local people as well as their culture. Existing infrastructure, tourism offers, communication channels, cooperation between the various providers and expectations were examined and analyzed. In a basic concept, findings and potentials were combined – for prospective key experiences which are rooted directly in the region. And with the involvement of the local people and circumstances boosting tourism in a sustainable way.
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Green Marathon Zürich
30-11-2020
Since 21 May 2017, the 42 km long route of the „Green Marathon Zurich“ connects the most picturesque urban oases throughout the city. The running course leads from the city center to the lake, passing by meadows and nearby forests. It is ideal for stage races, hikes and walks as well as a training area. The route offers stunning views over the city and the lake. The course can be used year-round. The stages can be chosen freely and are easily accessible all over the city by public transport or are within walking distance. For orientation purposes route field, km indication and information panels are fixed on the existing hiking and urban network.
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Mountain Lab Adelboden
25-11-2020
On behalf of TALK AG, gutundgut integrated a coworking space in Adelboden and the Tourist Center under the roof of the Mountain Lab Adelboden. The Tourist Center in Adelboden has become an innovative open space where the staff of the Tourist Center and the ski school share space with independent entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and local talent. From the beginning of the project, it was important to involve the local population. Besides the co-working space, the Mountain Lab offers external meeting rooms in various locations. In co-operation with hotels and vacation homeowners, a coliving offer was developed. Together these three offers form an attractive opportunity to combine work with leisure time and support Adelboden in its positioning as an innovative place of tourism and work.
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Science and Conservation
25-11-2020
Amazon Emotions is fully committed to making a significant positive impact on biodiversity conservation in the Amazon. All of our project-related activities are directed from our Brazilian Amazon headquarters in Presidente Figueiredo. In 2019, a RAPELD module for creating a long-term ecological research site is being installed with the support of CENBAM (The Amazonian Biodiversity Studies Centre) and their PPBio (Research Program on Biodiversity) group. This is going to provide a research station for scientists in the rainforest. Our goal is to teach the local communities about the value of their natural resources and to educate the international community and visitors about biodiversity. All this research helps the region in a number of ways. For example; the knowledge generated is passed on to the guides who work at Amazon Emotions, which in turn will enrich the experience of our guests and enhance our environmental education projects. This endeavour also contributes directly and indirectly, to society in general by providing information about the conservation of this region. This project intends to serve as a model for sustainable conservation and can be replicated throughout the Amazon.
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Sustainability Charter of the Azores
20-11-2020
The Sustainability Charter of the Azores is a Government initiative that has the mission to be an agent of change for sustainable development in the Azores through the dissemination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Sustainable Development Goals and encouraging the collaboration and formation of partnerships. It is a local action, with a global impact. Subscribing to the Charter is to undertake a public commitment with a responsible and transparent management, guided by the implementation of the sustainable development goals, with the eyes set in the future. With the government support, each regional organization, company and NGO that aims to subscribe the Charter, has free access to Forums, sustainability consultation and Workshops, where a specialized team guides them on how they can align their strategies as well as measure and manage their contribution to the SDGs. The Subscribing Workshops, that took place in every island, a specialized sustainability team and the Azores DMO, helps regional tourism (and other) companies and organizations to understand what are the SDGs and how integrating the SDGs in their core business will enhance the value of their corporate sustainability, and will help them discover new growth opportunities and lower their risk profiles, capitalizing a range of benefits. Since 2017 we could witness to a growing project. In the first public session of the Sustainability Charter of the Azores, 45 local companies voluntarily subscribed to the charter, identifying three annual public commitments aligned with the SDGs. In 2019 we can count with more than one hundred subscribers, which translates in more than three hundred sustainable public commitments. This is collaborative approach that involves a wide net of local stakeholders and the local community, working together to bring benefits to the environment and society, involving all aboard in this ship, sailing towards the sustainable future of the Azores.
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Amazon Emotions
16-11-2020
Amazon Emotions connects responsible-minded travelers, interested in authentic travel experiences, with local entrepreneurs, small businesses, and organized community groups committed to sustainable tourism practices. We adopt UNWTO’s definition in that sustainable tourism is “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities”. The goal of this policy is to reduce the negative impacts of our tourism activities on the environment and the host communities that we visit; at the same time maximizing the positive benefits to the host communities, their natural environment, and to our travelers. This policy will serve to inform our employees, local partners, suppliers, and travelers [collectively the stakeholders] of our commitment to develop and promote sustainable tourism products that are managed and enjoyed in a responsible manner. It will also detail the role and responsibilities of each of the stakeholders in the successful implementation of the policy.
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A Global Initiative for Tourism Executives - Recovery and Resilience Dialogue
16-11-2020
How to survive amidst COVID-19 in the short run without neglecting the destination’s or company’s long-term resilience and sustainability? How do leading decision-makers from the public and private realm cope with this monumental challenge? The TouRRD is organised by the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons, in cooperation with the Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, the UN World Tourism Organization, and the World Economic Forum. Bringing together decision-makers from government, business, and civil society, in three virtual events it tackles three different challenges, namely: «How to restore consumers’ trust and confidence» (18.11.2020), «How to use data for a more balanced tourism» (9.12.2020), and «How to turn future headwinds into opportunities» (13.1.2021). The events take place from 2:30pm to 4:00pm (Central European Time). They are conducted via ZOOM and offer the audience an ample opportunity to engage in a high-level peer-to-peer exchange of ideas and experiences.
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Sustainable Charter of the Azores
16-11-2020
The Sustainability Charter of the Azores is a Government initiative that has the mission to be an agent of change for sustainable development in the Azores through the dissemination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Sustainable Development Goals and encouraging the collaboration and formation of partnerships. It is a local action, with a global impact. Subscribing to the Charter is to undertake a public commitment with a responsible and transparent management, guided by the implementation of the sustainable development goals, with the eyes set in the future. With the government support, each regional organization, company and NGO that aims to subscribe the Charter, has free access to Forums, sustainability consultation and Workshops, where a specialized team guides them on how they can align their strategies as well as measure and manage their contribution to the SDGs. The Subscribing Workshops take place in every island, where a specialized sustainability team and the Azores DMO, helps regional tourism companies and organizations to understand what are the SDGs and how integrating the SDGs in their core business will enhance the value of their corporate sustainability, and will help them discover new growth opportunities and lower their risk profiles, capitalizing a range of benefits. After defining priorities and setting three annual sustainable goals, the entities shall integrate them into their core business, embedding sustainability across all functions, with a top down leadership that will help all members in the organization to help in achieving the goals. We must emphasize that the Sustainability Charter of the Azores is a non-binding agreement, and that all companies, organizations, government associations and NGOs had voluntarily subscribed to the Charter, assuming a public commitment to the Sustainable development of the Azores. This is collaborative approach that involves a wide net of local stakeholders and the local community.
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Herramientas medición Turismo Sostenible
09-11-2020
Acabo de empezar una Tesis en la que se van a analizar las herramientas de medición del Turismo Sostenible para crear una nueva herramienta de medición.
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SDG4
08-11-2020
OPEN ROAD FOR CONTINOUS EDUCATION Effective date: 16/11/2020 Contact: Gerardo Delgado Gaona SDG4 Introduction Fully aware of the need for education opportunities for the greater percentage of our staff members, we declare our Hotel on favor to support the program OPEN ROAD FOR CONTINOUS EDUCATION, considering the existence of the CENEVAL, which is a formal Institution in México, recognized by the Mexican Education authorities, backing up the key points that we persuit as policy's purpose to promote and estimulate the individual growth as a way to open new opportunities for themselves. Policy: OPEN ROAD FOR CONTINOUS EDUCATION is a program for personal growth and formal education as GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOMPENT, available to the staff members of HOTEL PALACIO AZTECA. Candidates may enroll after their third month of working in the property. Twice a week will have access to an available meeting room in a giving authorized schedule, equipped with WIFI and all necesary equipment to receive recorded class and/or academic advising and counseling so they can be prepared for presenting test to validate grades on course. The ultimate goal, is to help our staff members to reach their Junior High or, High School diplomas, so they may enroll in the online courses for University degrees and allow them to reach better opportunities for their personal growth and their families. Hotel Palacio Azteca Administration
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UNWTO AWARD WINNER GREG BAKUNZI CONTINUES TO LEAD SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TOURISM
02-11-2020
Early last year the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recognized founder of Red Rocks Cultural Centre http://www.redrocksrwanda.com/ and Red Rocks Initiatives for ustainable Development http://development.www.redrocksinitiative.org/ for his role in pioneering sustainable tourism development in Africa. The award was in recognition of what Greg has been doing to promote tourism, conservation and community development in and around the Volcanoes National Park and the community tourism operator is using his vast amount of knowledge and experience to lobby for the inclusiveness of local Rwandans into destination and product management which ensures that the community plays a greater role in developing cultural products that are both directly beneficial while ensuring they sustaining their environment Bakunzi ‘s humble beginning is a journey that spans over 15 years in the travel and hospitality industry, taking him from working as young Rwandan tour organizer and guide for various international tour operators in the volcanoes way back after the conflict and through gradual hard work over the past years, he has gained experience and exceptional understanding of the needs and desires of the communities surrounding the national park and using his wide range of networks he has been able to motivate and engage locals in beneficial cultural based tourism activities that offer visitors memorable experiences while creating sustainable sources of income for the community. Greg continues to serves his community with passion and still manages to do more philanthropic work which has created awareness for the protection of environmental and natural resources, Under the initiative for sustainable development, he has been able to bring under-served communities together into the tourism supply chain and also supports community development projects that help people help themselves through the Igihogo Banana Seed Bags,
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#IoResto
02-11-2020
A city that is not good for its citizens is not good for tourists. The non-profit organization #IoResto (#IRemain) was founded by Giovanni Pitingolo together with other citizens of Crotone (Italy) as a response to the alarming increase in the local phenomenon of migration. Crotone is indeed a city with a massive tourist potential, exceptionally rich in tangible and intangible cultural heritage as well as quite unique natural resources (e.g. the Marine protected area under the Barcelona Convention - Specially Protected Area – and the Geosite of Vrica, practically unique in its kind all over the world), but at the same time is heavily affected by socio-economic problems such as unemployment, marginalization and security, among others. In this context, the organization #IoResto aims to make the city and the surrounding human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. By doing so, #IoResto contributes to the improvement of the citizens’ quality of life, and prepares the destination for a more satisfactory and sustainable tourist experience. The approach adopted by #IoResto is particularly innovative as it is based on public participation, promotion of the civic sense and sense of belonging, and finally the stimulation of a bottom-up action toward the sustainable development of Crotone both as a city were to live and as a tourist destination. Among the projects already developed by #IoResto it is worth to mention the "Intimate Diary of a Territory: a school to stay", an itinerant “school” to promote and to bring back to life the villages surrounding the city that are suffering for a strong phenomenon of depopulation. To reach the goal, workshops are realized to preserve and promote the landscape, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and to put children and young people in contact with traditional activities and by doing so promoting the intergenerational dialogue and facilitating e the transmission of traditional knowhow and wisdom.
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Restaurant Profitability Revamp Summit
28-10-2020
Experiences made during the current pandemic and how the hospitality industry can get out of this in a more strengthened way – depending on the individual speaker, sustainability is an important part of individual presentations and discussions. This virtual conference brings together experts and interested audience from Asia and around the world. The event is organized by the company Quarto Products,
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Courageously shaping sustainable development in tourism
22-10-2020
Concrete examples and reactions to the corona crisis provide impulses for sustainable tourism development. In this German-language online event, Swiss stakeholders share their experiences and discuss how these could be transferred to the Swiss and international tourism context.
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BTM Business Tourism Management
22-10-2020
For 7 years, Business Tourism Management is the event that brings together operators, administrations, companies, public and private bodies in the city of Lecce with the aim of creating a value network around the theme of tourism to strengthen the link between the territory and international dynamics. Next year, for the first time it will be held in Taranto a city where the environmental problem is very high due to the presence of a huge steel production plant. The reason is to promote initiative to foster the role of tourism in the Sustainable Development Goals and to start a great discussion about how to convert destinations from industrial to touristic. About 16 thousand participants for the 2020 edition, in addition to the exhibiting companies, at the VI edition of BTM - Business Tourism Management. Companies, tour operators, hoteliers, agencies, marketing experts, startuppers, public administrators and curious to know the latest emerging trends in tourism met at Lecce Fiera on 20, 21 and 22 February. Travel & innovation is the keyword chosen by Nevio D’Arpa, organizer of BTM, who built the program together with Mary Rossi, Event Manager on different thematic paths: hospitality & destination, sustainability, digital strategy, innovation, food & wine. One hundred and seventy-five exhibitors, more than 300 companies, 16 activities, theatrical performances, training sessions with tourist schools, 80 international buyers from all over the world.
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UNWTO Country Fact Sheets
20-10-2020
In support of World Statistics Day 2020 and around the theme “Connecting the world with data we can trust”, UNWTO has launched it's Country Fact Sheets to reflect upon the importance of trust, authoritative data, innovation, and the public good that come with statistics, all values that are now more than ever relevant for tourism. On the country fact sheet map, the user will find country fact sheets for all the countries for which UNWTO has data. These fact sheets include the latest available data on inbound tourism, domestic tourism, outbound tourism, tourism expenditure, tourism industries, tourism employment, Tourism Direct GDP, and other macroeconomic indicators. The data used to create these fact sheets is collected on a yearly basis by the UNWTO and is made available through the UNWTO database.
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11-10-2020
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Red Rocks conservation and Tourism Education Programs
08-10-2020
Tourism is a tool for peace and dialogue among civilizations. Peace profits everyone and conflicts scare away visitors and retard development. It compels all of us to find the means to create a universal peaceful coexistence. Beyond its economic importance, tourism can play an imperative role in relation to world peace. Tourism is potentially the most important vehicle for promoting personal perception, trust, and goodwill among the peoples of the world. It offers the ideal opportunity for people to discover other different cultures and to develop an admiration of cultural diversity. It enables people to interact and learn from each other. It also allows an exchange of ideas through cultural synthesis. The most important lesson tourism can teach the world is the existence of diverse cultural differences and similarities. It can also be used to make people in different parts of the world to be more aware of each other’s problems and points of view. It promotes tolerance, cultural understanding, and respect. Tourism can as well play an important role in healing the wounds of conflicts. Tourism creates employment opportunities for women, youths, and other underprivileged groups. This, in turn, helps in deterring people from taking part in illegal activities, thereby contributing to harmony. It is for the above and other reasons that there is strong confidence that tourism can have a philosophical impact on creating a conducive environment for peace. Let us implement the idea of education for peace whereby schools, universities and other training institutions, plus the media, join hands with the tourism industry to initiate awareness of tourism through Peace Programs.
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Forum of Mayors 2020
05-10-2020
Cities are on the front lines of addressing humanity’s most pressing challenges, including pandemics, climate change and natural hazards. As our world is growing increasingly urban – with some 75% of the population already living in cities in the UNECE region – these challenges cannot be solved by national governments alone. Cities have become key partners to tackle these challenges and support the efforts to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the remaining ten years. Organized by United Nations Economic Commission for Europe - UNECE, The Forum of Mayors will bring together city leaders from Europe, North America, Central Asia and the Caucasus to address the key challenges of our time. The 2020 Forum will focus on “City action for a resilient future: Strengthening local government preparedness and response to emergencies and the impact of disasters and climate change”. There will also be a United for our Goals #SDG match. The Forum of Mayors 2020 will bring together mayors and diplomats on a football field. City leaders and Geneva-based ambassadors will team-up to get the ball rolling for the Decade of Action to deliver the SDGs. The match will take place at the Palais des Nations (Geneva, Switzerland) – the grass field normally reserved for peacocks will turn into a playing field for sporty policymakers and tactical diplomats. To find out more please visit: https://forumofmayors.unece.org/
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The impacts of climate variables and climate-related extreme events on island country’s tourism: Evidence from Indonesia
04-10-2020
Tourism is one of the main economic sectors, which is impacted by climate change on a global scale. Yet, whether and to what extent climate change influences tourism in island countries with tropical weather has not been fully understood. Here, we seek to fill this gap by evaluating the role of climate variables and climate-related extreme events on the number of international tourists in Indonesia empirically. A panel dataset of 5 provinces in Indonesia, which accounted for more than 80 percent of international tourists traveling to Indonesia between 2008 and 2018, was used to perform a feasible generalized least square (FGLS) regression. Consistent with previous findings, the empirical results show that both temperature and relative humidity particularly explain the variations in the number of international tourists in Indonesia. Every 1% increment of temperature and relative humidity is associated with a decrease in the number of international tourists in Indonesia by 1.37% and 0.59%, respectively. This study also suggests that the effect of climate change and climate-related extreme events is not homogeneous among tourists from different regions. These findings develop novel insights for climate change adaptation for policymakers.
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The impacts of climate variables and climate-related extreme events on island country’s tourism: Evidence from Indonesia
04-10-2020
Tourism is one of the main economic sectors, which is impacted by climate change on a global scale. Yet, whether and to what extent climate change influences tourism in island countries with tropical weather has not been fully understood. Here, we seek to fill this gap by evaluating the role of climate variables and climate-related extreme events on the number of international tourists in Indonesia empirically. A panel dataset of 5 provinces in Indonesia, which accounted for more than 80 percent of international tourists traveling to Indonesia between 2008 and 2018, was used to perform a feasible generalized least square (FGLS) regression. Consistent with previous findings, the empirical results show that both temperature and relative humidity particularly explain the variations in the number of international tourists in Indonesia. Every 1% increment of temperature and relative humidity is associated with a decrease in the number of international tourists in Indonesia by 1.37% and 0.59%, respectively. This study also suggests that the effect of climate change and climate-related extreme events is not homogeneous among tourists from different regions. These findings develop novel insights for climate change adaptation for policymakers.
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WORLD TOURISM FORUM LUCERNE (WTFL) & WTM RESPONSIBLE TOURISM INTERVIEW SERIES | BIODIVERSITY, ECO-SYSTEM SERVICES AND TOURISM – CONFLICT OR SYMBIOSIS?
01-10-2020
Conversation series organized by World Tourism Forum Lucerne (WTFL) & WTM Responsible Tourism Description: The importance of striking a balance between the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainable development. A burning issue is biodiversity. Biodiversity is declining faster than at any time in human history. Tourism and biodiversity have a symbiotic relationship – positive and negative. We are committed to:
  • Promoting dialogue on responsible tourism as an eco-system service that promotes the conservation of biodiversity.
  • Documenting and amplifying best practices in our sector that promote consumer awareness.
  • Working with other stakeholders in our industry to advance this agenda together.
#Swisstourism4sdgs
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Travel Unity Virtual Summit
01-10-2020
Since 2014, Travel Unity has worked hard to create a platform for thought leaders, brands and stakeholders committed to improving diversity and inclusion in the tourism and hospitality industries to meet and share ideas. And this year is no exception. Join us October 21-23 for Reset and Rebuild: Advancing Travel Together. We’re excited to host three days of conversations that matter. Conversations that are designed to directly and intentionally address the effects and causes of the lack of diversity, inclusion and equity in the tourism and hospitality industries. Conversations that challenge you to think and act differently and asks you to invest in inspired ideas and approaches that will reset and rebuild the tourism and hospitality industries. We have assembled thought leaders, tourism experts and DEI professionals to examine how we could work together to advance tourism and create a space that is truly a welcoming community where everyone regardless of their background or ability can be safe and realize their full potential. Learn more and register for the 2020 Travel Unity Virtual Summit at https://bit.ly/TUVS2020
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How Red Rocks Initiatives link tourism, conservation and community Development in Rwanda
29-09-2020
Red Rocks Initiatives believes that Surplus income from ecotourism allows workers or their family members to start up small businesses or to pass on the money to other community members by buying local goods and paying for child care and other services. Having transformed from a social enterprise to a non-governmental organization operating mostly around the Volcanoes National Park, Red Rocks Initiatives basically target different fields including conservation, responsible tourism and community development as key pillars to ensure the local community gains, and have a say, in tourism activities that would eventually uplift their living standards while they actively take part in conservation efforts. For instance, the IGIHOHO Support Cooperative program promotes sustainable forest management, which balances social, environmental and economic concerns to meet today’s requirements, while guaranteeing our forests for future generations. Early last year, as part of Red Rocks Initiatives to promote forestation around the protected areas, we, under Igohoho involved a group of local women cooperatives to plant 20,000 trees using seedling they grew from biodegradable banana stem bags. We also made mutual partnership with Soldiers for wildlife, based in Zambia to find ways through which we can inclusively work together to harness Tourism, Conservation and Sustainable Community Development in Africa. Red Rocks Initiatives also partnered with local visual artists, where we opened an art gallery in Kinigi, the hub of tourism industry in Musanze, and Rwanda in general to promote conservation and tourism through art classes while the artists also develop art works that promote conservation and environmental protection for future survival of endangered animal and plant species.
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Colombia me Inspira - experiencias sostenibles de turismo en toda Colombia
29-09-2020
The event is organised by SIPPO (Swiss Import Promotion Programme) and C+C (Colombia + Competitiva) #ColombiaMeInspira es una plataforma de contenidos para descubrir la riqueza turística del país. Online Event celebrating the world tourism day 2020 For more information and to watch the recording, see links below.
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Gastronomy in Tourism Supply Chains: Shrinking the Distance between Farmer and Consumer (Farm to Fork)
28-09-2020
As part of the Geneva Trade Week 2020 and coinciding with the World Tourism Day 2020, there will be a special session on Gastronomy and Tourism in Supply Chains on 30th September 2020 at 9.00 am. Register and join via WebEx HERE Prior to the travel disruptions of Covid-19, economies all over the world were seeing significant growth in tourism consumption supply chains, fuelling value addition, product development agri-processing, innovation, and quality. Looking beyond the pandemic, the intersection between tourism and local agri-business will be key to recovery for many communities. This session will draw on a number of case studies to explore how connections between the tourism and agri-business drove market and economic diversification, created jobs and promoted inclusivity. It will also explore where the successful promotion of local cuisine, culture and heritage led to strengthened tourism attractiveness, which in turn fuelled growth in mutually supportive sectors. Key questions:
  1. What are the challenges to creating value added products at a local level and accessing trade?
  2. What strategic partnerships in the food and hospitality industry are needed to support sustainable and fair trade?
  3. What is the role of quality products in engaging consumers in the food and tourism sector, while reducing the carbon footprint?
Speakers: 
  • Benjamin Ozsanay, CEO and CoFounder - COOKLY 
  • Mary Dickson, R&D Manager - Niche Cocoa Industry
  • Peter Muchemi,  CEO - Jiranis Food
  • Cristina Reni,  Alliances for Action - International Trade Centre
  • Hernan Manson, Senior Officer - Sector Competitiveness - International Trade Centre 
  • Zoritsa Urosevic, Director, Institutional Relations and Partnerships Department-  UNWTO
  • Natalia Bayona, Director of Innovation, Digital Transformation and Investments - UNWTO
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Taktvoll
24-09-2020
In the summer of 2020, Lake Achensee in Tirol was a highly sought-after destination not only for tourists from other countries, but also for people who live in Tirol and visit for a day. Where more people wanted to see and to stay at the same beautiful places, hiking up the mountains, lying at the beach of the lake, also more waste was left behind. Alpinmarketing had the idea to address this problem using the SDGs as a guideline. Therefore, we created a marketing campaign together with the destination management organization, targeting visitors to the Achensee holiday region. The aim is to raise awareness for more mindfulness and understanding nature. The campaign is running on Facebook, covering several relevant topics using titles of well-known songs, e.g. "What goes up, must come down" by the band Blood, Sweat and Tears, telling a short story why hikers shouldn’t leave their rubbish behind. The campaign is very successful and will continue with more topics. Raising awareness for nature is a consistent feature of the work of the Achensee Tourist Board, with the aim of bringing guests closer to the beautiful nature between mountains and the lake and to provide a sustainable holiday experience in a natural environment. If we maintain a respectful coexistence on the mountains, at the lake and in our valleys, ALL of us will be able to enjoy the high-quality Tirolean summer at Lake Achensee in the future. However, it’s not only up to us to observe certain rules – everybody must treat nature with respect.
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MAPS FORUM - SUSTAINABILITY, TOURISM & EVENTS
24-09-2020
MAPS 2020 Forum Tourism, Events and Sustainability Regeneration: the natural convergence On the 15th and 16th of September, you have the chance to participate in an unprecedented international Forum. Together, Tourism, Events and Sustainability can radiate positive actions into the largest set of sectors and boost their recovery: economy, social insertion, labor market, education and - an increasingly sensitive area - nature preservation and regeneration. Today, Sustainability is the only concept that supports and can guarantee lasting results for business and the planet. Brazil has the potential to become the great world model in Tourism and Sustainability Events. And the segment actors will be the protagonists of this story. The importance of the themes and speakers of the panels represents the great opportunity for a virtuous turn, making the MAPS Forum 2020 an event of general interest: operators, agents, suppliers, consumers and corporate customers, we will all make the most of it.
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Empower the local tourist guides
18-09-2020
Andreas, Daphne and Yiannis, the founders of Clio Muse in 2014, shared a common concern: the world was missing a global platform that would connect the world’s cultural heritage, while being scalable and sustainable. Our initial ambition was to bring people back to the museums. Therefore, from the very beginning, we collaborated with Greece’s world-class museums to develop our methodology from the ground up, which was pivotal for the successful implementation of our idea but that’s what made our business model sustainable since its inception. Our aim was and still remains to create an exceptional travel experience. On the one hand to bring travellers to museums, on the other, to unravel the magical stories of off-the-beaten-path places and often connect the two. Crafting fascinating narratives that will captivate modern-day travellers and bring our cultural heritage to the foreground, seemed natural to us. We developed a unique storytelling methodology, which we use for the creation of each one of our self-guided audio tours and virtual tour experiences. It may took us two years to optimize it, but today, six years later, we are confident that this is what makes us stand out. With over 300 self-guided audio tours in 11 countries, we know that our methodology can be applied in every city around the world. Booking.com Cares Lab 2018 has awarded it as a solution for more sustainable tourism in the city of Amsterdam while our business model has been recognized by the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen for its efforts in “Sustainable, Innovative and Responsible Entrepreneurship.” We also empower local tourist guides, through our authoring tool, CREATE by providing the opportunity to share their knowledge with travel enthusiasts via self-guided audio tours. Featuring a tool that can connect and benefit people from different corners of the globe is to us a step closer to the global platform we are aspiring to create.
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Yukon Tourism Development Strategy
16-09-2020
The Yukon Tourism Development Strategy is guided by the core values expressed by Yukoners and lays out a ten-year vision for tourism to be a vibrant, sustainable component of Yukon’s economy and society for the benefit of future generations. It also includes goals that balance economic, environmental and social priorities, and is supported by strategic actions to bring the vision to life. The strategy is the culmination of a fourteen-month process to develop a long-term vision for sustainably growing tourism in the territory. Guided by a steering committee of industry experts, the strategy was developed based on best practices around the globe and comprehensive engagement with tourism industry stakeholders, Yukon First Nations, municipalities, the arts and culture community and the public. This ten-year adaptive strategy lays out the goals, values and strategic actions to realize a tourism vision for the Yukon, developed by Yukoners. To become a leading sustainable tourism destination, we must foster the conditions for a thriving tourism economy, develop tourism in a manner that balances economic, social and environmental values, and bolster support for the industry by aligning our collective efforts with the core values of Yukoners. Four connected pillars outline the strategic actions that will be developed and implemented to bring this vision to life. While each goal, value and pillar is important in and of itself, the strength of this strategy and the success by which it is measured, stems from the need to ensure they are interconnected and pursued in balance. Our vision is for tourism to be a sustainable, vibrant component of the Yukon’s economy and society for the benefit of future generations. Our goals are to have a thriving tourism economy; to develop tourism sustainably; and to have resident support for tourism. Implementation of the strategy and it's action plans began in 2019 and is ongoing.
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LAYAG 2020 Tourism & Hospitality Research
14-09-2020
In celebration of World Tourism Day, the LAYAG 2020 : 2nd Tourism & Hospitality Research Conference will be held as an Academic Research Conference to provide opportunity for researchers, experienced professionals and academicians as well as other organizations to actively exchange, share meaningful findings of their latest research on topics relating to tourism and hospitality industry. The goal of the conference is to respond to the need of the community, especially we have this COVID19 pandemic, it is timely and relevant to disseminate new knowledge in relation to tourism and hospitality, being one of greatly affected by the pandemic. The conference invites conceptual, empirical, and methodological research papers on various tourism and hospitality themes: Best practices in hospitality and tourism establishments; Business resilience of tourism and hospitality; Climate change and Risk Management; Digital tourism and technological advancement; Food safety, hygiene and security policies and practices; Human resource opportunities and issues; Sustainable tourism and green hotel practices; Tourism and hospitality education adaptation to technology; and Tourism and Hospitality operations management; Publication Opportunities. All submitted papers will follow a rigorous double-blind review process and will be accepted and published in a CHED recognized journal. This would enable the researcher to disseminate information and contribute to the growing body of knowledge relating to tourism and hospitality. We never stop learning and looking for possible solution through research, so we look forward to welcoming you LAYAG 2020 and we are confident that it will be an enjoyable and educational experience for all even through a virtual platform.
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Test Initiative admin email
10-09-2020
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10-09-2020
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"Quad –Garden of Culture" Cultural, artistic, recreational, and tourism complex
06-09-2020
I believe only through innovation and collaboration will we be able to create sustainable solutions in tourism for generations to come. From cultural heritage to cultural and creative industries, Culture is both an enabler and a driver of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. "Quad –Garden of Culture" Cultural, artistic, recreational, and tourism complex offers a innovative approach to developing and managing tourism. and allows us to practically apply sustainable tourism principles in a real-world context. Today, large numbers of tourists from all over the world travel to become familiar with various cultures and arts of the nations of the world, and the creation of a market for the exchange of cultural and artistic goods of different nations will naturally be tempting and appealing.
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MiWeeks eco conscious booking
31-08-2020
MiWeeks eco conscious travel club operates in the online booking segment where we propose a selection of quality vacation rentals. At MiWeeks we are developing "eco friendly travel technology". Our point of departure begins by rethinking the traditional 21st century business model and question investment theories used in the business world. We bring forward human values in our business model and reflect these in the development of our travel technology. Further, we believe that travel technology is key to help finance the green economy and sustainable development goals. I explain: According to WTTC in 2018 travel & tourism, the worlds largest industry, had a direct contribution to the global economy amounting to 8.81 trillion dollars and by 2023 70% of revenues will be made online. At MiWeeks we believe that travel technology is at a cross road, we can continue to develop smart travel technology that will know everything about us, anticipate our needs with the specific purpose to generate online revenues, or we can develop smart travel technology that can help finance the necessary actions to tackle the environmental effects created by the industry (land conversion, biodiversity loss, air pollution, ocean acidification & pollution etc..)
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Eclipse chasing and sustainable tourism development. Case study: Three consecutive solar eclipses in Spain in 2026/27/28
26-08-2020
Three consecutive years of eclipse chasing in Spain is a research project started in the University of Girona in 2017 as a master thesis presented by Mohamad Soltanolkotabi amateur astronomer and tourism activist. This research was a pioneering work to demonstrate a rare opportunity for Spain to host one of the greatest eclipse chasing events through history in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Later this research was selected among the eight best master thesis of tourism in 2017 in Spain by the Red INTUR (http://www.redintur.org/). Currently the research is going on as a PhD thesis in the same university supported by the Catalan government via scholarship program to be continued till 2023. This work aims to provide a primary study about the upcoming phenomena in order to start an early comprehensive plan to organize these events. This work follows to promote tourism in Spain through these spectacular events nationally and internationally based on planning, education and awareness. Eclipse chasing is a kind of astrotourism that promotes sustainable tourism development. More than fifty experts including NASA scientists, experts of International Astronomy Union (IAU), experienced eclipse chasers and famous astrophotographers are cooperating in the research since 2017. The findings show fantastic potentials in Spain to hold eclipse celebrations throughout the country in long with Sustainable Development Goals. The importance of the research Astrotourism is an increasing tourism nowadays in the world and an attracting growing interest. A great number of people travel every year basically to enjoy the sky but, there are very few academic papers, thesis and researches in this issue. Although eclipse chasing is considered as a type of astrotourism however, it’s pretty different from the typical astrotourism known as night observations to observe dark skies. This research will be the first Ph.D. thesis on eclipse chasing and a good starting point for further researches. Spain is high
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Swiss Tourism 4 SDGs
25-08-2020
The Swiss Tourism Dialogue on SDGs (SwissTourism4SDGs) is a broad-based initiative supported by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO to anchor the Agenda 2030 with its 17 sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the tourism industry. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint for economic, social and ecological development up to 2030. Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, the SDGs are a call for action by all countries, civil society, the private sector and the scientific community to promote prosperity while protecting the environment. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, equality and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and working to preserve our ocean and forests. Switzerland is committed to the implementation of Agenda 2030 at both national and international level, and tourism as a cross-cutting sector can make an important contribution to achieving these goals. With the Swiss SDG Tourism Dialogue, we are networking the players in Swiss incoming and outgoing tourism with the aim of ensuring that, thanks to the exchange of knowledge, innovative ideas and good practice the SDGs can be achieved in a more targeted, effective and rapid manner. Consequently, the Swiss SDG Tourism Dialogue does not develop its own measures to help reach the SDGs more effectively but supports initiatives by finding suitable partners for them, tapping into missing knowledge and actively communicating these initiatives within the network.
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Official Launch of SwissTourism4SDGs - the Swiss dialogue on tourism & SDGs
25-08-2020
Official Launch of SwissTourism4SDGs - the Swiss dialogue on tourism & SDGs The initiative aims to anchor the global Agenda 2030 with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) more firmly in the tourism industry. Alongside the Swiss Tourism Federation (STV), the consortium consists of the Swiss Foundation for Technical Development Cooperation Swisscontact, the myclimate foundation, the Swiss Travel Association (SRV), the University of Applied Sciences Graubünden, the Swiss Parks Network, the consulting firm ecos and gutundgut gmbh. The initiative strives to achieve SDGs in a more targeted and effective way through knowledge sharing. The potential lies in better networking of all players in Swiss tourism and in promoting the exchange of practical experience. The role of the SDG dialogue is to raise awareness of sustainability goals, bring knowledge together, find suitable partners for initiatives and actively communicate these within the network. In this sense, the Swiss Tourism Dialogue does not develop its own projects, but brings together committed partners.
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Green Technology Selector (GTS)
24-08-2020
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has developed Green Technology Selector (GTS) to promote global transfer of high-performing green technologies. The online B2B and B2C platform with over 22,000 high-performing technologies helps businesses and households reduce utility costs, increase comfort, quality of services or productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening resilience to climate change. Green Technology Selector connects technology buyers with financial institutions and technology suppliers (manufacturers and local vendors), and improves access to green solutions and climate finance. Green Technology Selector is available in over 10 languages across over 26 countries. Browse www.techselector.com or TechSelector mobile app to find concrete solutions for the tourism and hospitality sector (energy efficiency equipment and materials, renewable energy technologies and water saving solutions). Many hotels and businesses in the hospitality sector in the EBRD region have already benefitted from technologies and finance supported by GTS (Real companies - real stories!).
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A framework for social outcomes based responsible tourism
22-08-2020
Setting up a community revolving fund through participatory planning and responsible tourism is a revolutionary tourism model by Sauramandala Foundation under its Responsible Tourism Initiative for communities. It is the process of identifying and developing new tourism Destination and setting up a revolving fund to fund the social outcomes that are identified by the community through a participatory process. Through this initiative grass root level community participation is assured right from the initial level discussions. This is the first of its kind in the country and perhaps the world. Concept At Sauramandala Foundation we have designed a new approach to responsible tourism by Quantifying what ‘responsible’ means in responsible tourism Keeping it community focused using participatory processes Setting up a community revolving fund using tourism to ensure social development Building it a replicable model format where it can be adapted by any community or government Vision Building a responsible tourism destination with a revolving fund to ensure social outcomes are met and self sustainability is attained. Mission Develop Global Tourism Destination with RT initiatives and public private partnerships Objectives • Setup a revolving fund at the community level using tourism as an anchor. • Develop a participatory approach in tourism planning and development. • Ensure grass root level community participation in tourism development • Ensure a results based format is followed and social outcomes are met as the first step • Ensure that ‘responsible’ can be quantified and linked to specific SDG targets • Ensure that a safety net can be created for communities using sustainability fee collected through tourism
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Africa Tourism & SDGs Summit 2020
20-08-2020
The "Africa Tourism & SDGs Virtual Summit 2020" seeks to bring Tourism and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 Stakeholders together to look for ways to fast-track the achievement of the SDGs in Africa through tourism while capitalizing on the UNWTO's Tourism4SDGs campaign. Topic: The Role of Tourism In Fast-tracking The Achievement of SDGs In Africa Post Lockdown
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Guide: Museums and the Sustainable Development Goals: a how-to guide for museums, galleries, the cultural sector and their partners
04-08-2020
This guide is intended to help empower museums (small, large and of any kind, anywhere), museum workers, museum networks and their partners to contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs for short).
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FLOCKEO
28-07-2020
We have created Flockeo to federate a global community around sustainable tourism. We aim at connecting travelers and professionals in an inclusive eco-system based on the values of sustainability, protection of the environment, sharing experiences with the local communities, and extending the benefits of tourism to the larger local regions. The protection of the environment is an incredible opportunity for every destination to reinvent its tourism policy and to promote new regions. This is a great space to counter mass tourism and to advocate sustainable development in newly developed areas. Through our map, we provide the Flockeo indicator to the community with an independent, transparent view of the environmental footprint of tourism on a destination. The Flockeo barometer takes into account 4 key indicators to assess the ecological footprint of tourist destinations : 1 Quality of biodiversity: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is one of the world’s leading organizations dedicated to the protection and preservation of nature. It regularly publishes a red list on its website to map the animals or plant species at risk around the world. 2 Pressure on water: Satellite data, together with other data sources, can be used to assess water-related risks. The Flockeo barometer accounts for the quantity, quality as well as existence and relevancy of the infrastructures set up to better manage water. 3 Population density: Cities have existed for thousands of years; they are essential for economic and social development. However, a growing town is a shrinking natural habitat. Our goal is to heighten awareness about this dilemma and to help you discover new tourist “green lanes”. 4 Air Quality: The air quality is a key factor for a pleasant stay in any destination. Whether it is the result of natural or manmade activities, air quality may show high variability due to sudden events (e.g. forest fires or industrial hazard)
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25-07-2020
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25-07-2020
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Basilicata's food and wine tourism ecosystem Recreating the offer to recover #TravelTomorrow
21-07-2020
The United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development identifies sustainable tourism as one of the sectors for achieving the sustainability goals. Under the goal 8, dedicated to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, through the target 8.9 the Agenda 2030 suggests “devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”. Food and wine therefore falls into the areas of tourism able to promote the sustainable competitiveness of a destination, a tourism capable of involving the various levels of sustainability, distinguished by an enormous capacity to stimulate economies, especially local economies, and to promote sustainability and inclusion. It answers the need of destinations of positioning themselves in an increasingly crowded market creating new tourism products based on the authenticity, sustainability and originality of the destination, all elements able to satisfy the motivations dictating demand especially in the current situation of the symmetrical shock caused by Covid 19. The travel ban seems to be the right moment to speed up reorganisation of a territorial offer able to satisfy the demand for sustainability to which the need for security has been added. This research project aims to define the strategic planning of food and wine tourism in Basilicata, a rural region of southern Italy, contributing to the growth of the local economy in a sustainable way. This aim can be achieved by creating a food and wine tourism ecosystem for Basilicata (as the initial phase of a wider strategic plan) which will be a step towards creating a food and wine tourism product that is sufficiently competitive and sustainable to satisfy the current demands of the tourism market.
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A Manifestation of 4 Elements
11-07-2020
Yazd city has been inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List as the largest yet inhabited adobe city in the world. The landscape of Yazd with wind catchers, ... is witness of the ingenious architecture that has its roots in the climate features of the area, the dessert, and is considered as a of tangible and intangible heritages. Lack of water and its effect on agriculture, has brought fourth the necessity of other means of income like domestic products. An hour drive from Yazd will take you to Maybod, where clay is used for pottery with its signature design in the form of sunshine, birds, and fish in blue, orange, and pink colors against a white background. Worldwide, Maybod is also famous for its Zilu, a 500-year-old carpet made of cotton threads to suit the dessert climate. Many historical constructs of Yazd have been turned into residential spaces that help visitors get to know the culture and lifestyle of people more closely. The big population of Zoroastrians practicing their rituals in different fire temples and the Markar museum that perfectly presents their heritage has helped preserve this rich Persian culture for 3757 years!
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08-07-2020
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Sustainable Travel Finland
01-07-2020
The Programme of Finnish Government, is ‘Inclusive and competent Finland – a socially, economically and ecologically sustainable society’. Meanwhile, Finland's Arctic Strategy, driving sustainable development in the Arctic, has set sustainable tourism as one of its priorities. Furthermore, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, responsible for Finland’s updated tourism strategy, has identified four priorities that will facilitate the sustainable growth and renewal of the tourism sector in Finland - first priority being supporting sustainable development. To help the tourism industry in Finland to put these strategies into action, together with various stakeholders Visit Finland has developed the Sustainable Travel Finland -programme, designed for tourism companies and destinations in Finland. With focus on all dimensions of sustainability (ecological, cultural, social and economic), Sustainable Travel Finland programme offers Finnish tourism industry a complete toolkit to adapt sustainable practices: a 7-step sustainable tourism development path. Although Sustainable Travel Finland programme aligns with internationally known sustainable tourism programmes and SDGs, it is built in consideration of regional and national development needs. Initially, the current state analyses recognized the following areas to develop: commitment, knowhow, planning, communication, auditing and measuring. Instead of adopting a foreign model to Finland, a national model was designed to address these needs, as well as regional differences. Companies and destinations that undergo the entire programme are awarded with the Sustainable Travel Finland label, providing travel trade and travellers an easy way to identify a tourism actor that takes sustainability seriously and make a responsible choice.
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Mujeres en Turismo en la Argentina
19-06-2020
Es una red flexible, diversa, apartidaria y dinámica que agrupa los esfuerzos de quienes -desde sus distintos perfiles, aspiraciones y objetivos- buscan sumar sus talentos y acciones al logro de la igualdad y al empoderamiento de las mujeres como agentes de cambio en el sector turístico. Esta organización aboga por los derechos de las mujeres y es dirigida de manera democrática por mujeres. Es un movimiento colectivo que desde un grupo de iguales plantea asumir algunos retos conjuntamente desde una perspectiva de colaboración más amplia. Para ello, promueve ir construyendo redes con aquellas mujeres unidas en el mismo objetivo de erradicar esta brecha. Para ello, se trabaja de manera colectiva en estrategias comunes con fines concretos fomentando encuentros e intercambios de opiniones. No solo buscamos una mayor inserción y avance de las mujeres, sino un cambio genuino en el sector donde mujeres y hombres puedan desenvolverse en condiciones de igualdad.
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EIF Trade for Development News, UNWTO and the Commonwealth presents Tourism and COVID-19 webinar
08-06-2020
EIF Trade for Development News, UNWTO and the Commonwealth presents Tourism and COVID-19 webinar on 11 June 2020, 10am CET 

Tourism is the backbone of many developing world economies, and the sector is being drastically affected by COVID-19. How can countries weather and recover from this crisis? What lessons can we take from the past? Explore with our Experts!

SPEAKERS Belise Kariza, Chief Tourism Officer, Rwanda Development Board Zoritsa Urosevic, Director, Institutional Relations and Partnerships Department, Special Representative to the United Nations in Geneva - World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Anna Spenceley, Chair of IUCN WCPA Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group and Board Member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council MODERATOR Brendan Vickers, Adviser and Head of Section in the International Trade Policy Section, Commonwealth Secretariat Join Us! and Register HERE
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Sustainable Development Goals localisation in the tourism sector: lessons from Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, South Africa
03-06-2020
Sustainable Development Goals localisation in the tourism sector: lessons from Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, South Africa
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A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE, RESPONSIBLY
01-06-2020
We live in a global and connected world and by no means, we can neglect it. Over the last few decades, distances were shortened, communications improved, borders faded away and intercultural exchange became a part of our daily lives. We are, more than ever, citizens of the world and many of us live by the motto “to travel is to live”. Therefore, traveling has increased exponentially over the past 60 years and became a global trend: it is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the daily life, as it gives us the chance of discovering new places, languages, accents, foods, and ways of life. However, and besides its undeniable virtues, tourism and the travel industry also have many disadvantages, both socially and environmentally, that balance the scale. This massive industry, present all over the world, can cause long-term damage to a destination if there’s a lack of sustainable and responsible management of resources. The good news is that, if we address these disadvantages correctly, we can minimize their effects drastically. Moreover, an increasing number of globetrotters are becoming more aware of this dramatic reality and are aiming to be more conscious and sustainable travelers. Impactrip, as a responsible tourism operator, is no stranger to the problems this industry may cause and, since 2015, is trying to change the way people travel, offering and promoting meaningful experiences that deeply respect the uniqueness and character of tourist destinations. Thus, the Responsible Tourism Experiences (RTE) were created to all those travelers looking for an enriching and authentic experience, away from mass tourism and with the add-on of leaving a positive social and/or environmental impact on the destinations. With that, Impactrip has partnered up with hundreds of local projects and organizations that fight against several social and environmental problems to create transformative experiences not only for travelers, but also for the communities and destinations they visit. Visitors can join these RTEs all over Portugal (including the delightful Azores Islands) and activities range from a zero-waste cooking class to discovering the preserved old traditions of a small village in the middle of the country. All the experiences have the main goal of giving back to the host communities, while enhancing their well-being, improving working conditions and making positive contributions
to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage. Also, Impactrip promotes a set of eco- friendly initiatives to help everyone becoming a more conscious and sustainable traveler: refusing plastic straws, carrying reusable bags, shopping in small local stores and eating seasonally are just a few examples of small (but meaningful!) actions that Impactrip encourages all their clients and staff members to take. Impactrip, as a certified B-Corporation (a business that meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance and works toward reducing inequalities, lowering levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities, and creating quality jobs with dignity and purpose) is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over the last 5 years, the company has striven to give tourists the chance of actively contributing to this bold agenda that sets out a global framework to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and fix climate change until 2030. As a result, Impactrip’s Responsible Experiences contribute towards these goals, because all of them are based on equality for all, saving the planet and economic prosperity. For instance, during the Cascais by Art tour (Lisbon) visitor will get to know the story of a neighborhood that has united diverse ethnicities and generations through art and that nowadays it’s an open-air art gallery. Since the tour guides are youngsters from a local group, participants will be contributing directly to SDG 8 - Decent work and economic growth – making this social business more dynamic. Another possibility to get to know Lisbon in a different perspective is taking A Walk for Diversity, a walking tour through Mouraria, Lisbon’s most multiethnic neighborhood. Nowadays, migrants make up around 30 per cent of this local community and in this urban tour, the guides are nothing more but migrants that will share their most personal and cultural stories. So that, Impactrip has partnered up with this integrative project to Reduce Inequalities (SDG10) and poverty (SDG 1) in these needy communities. We can also mention the Green Guardians of the Forests environmental program, that takes place in the fascinating Sintra Natural Park, where nature lovers get involved with the recovery of ecologically degraded areas, through the restitution of native forests to restore ecological systems. Needless to say, this experience is a major contribution to the achievement of SDGs 13 – Climate Action – and 15 – Life on Land – because it encourages participants to take actions to combat climate change and also to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
As our world is composed of 71% of water, Impactrip also wants to create a positive impact on the ocean. Travelers can eco-dive in different locations, from the crystal-clear waters of the Azores to the light blue ones of the Algarve. Taking part in any of these wonderful experiences gives the possibility of connecting the thrill and beauty of Ocean diving with learning what one can do to protect and preserve our precious Life below Water – SDG14. In short, all these are Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17), since Impactrip is joining forces with local organizations so that we attain a successful sustainable development for all, placing people and the planet at the center. As you see, there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to experience a different way of getting to know a new country and culture. We indeed live in a multicultural world, but travel with caution and respect to the local people and nature is possible. Incorporating the SDGs in our next travel plan, and looking for meaningful responsible experiences in the places we visit, that will imbalance the downsides of tourism, are great ways of making the difference and contribute to a more sustainable world. Lastly, Impactrip envisions forming a global community of people wanting to be the change they seek in the world and that also believe that we’re responsible for each other and future generations. So, these Responsible Experiences are a mean to a greater and lasting end: Impactrip ultimate goal is that everyone who takes joins these experiences can also create a positive and meaningful impact in their communities. Written by: Maria João Gens is a young professional from Porto, Portugal. She has studied Foreign Languages and Business Relations and is passionate about other cultures, travelling and (good) food. A full-time dreamer (and hard-worker!), she's trying to be the change she wishes to see in the world through path of Sustainability, Education, Responsible Consumption and Personal Development.
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evway Travel Network
29-05-2020
Route220 is the leading provider of charging services in Italy, serving more than 10.000 EV-Users all over Europe. The initiative was created in order to gather all the hospitality services - sleeping, eating, shopping and cultural locations - that offer EV charging solutions for their guests - visitors; therefore Route220 created "evway Travel Network”: with evway Travel Network the charging pauses become opportunities to discovery the territory. evway Travel Network is a touristic portal dedicated to EV-Drivers where they can find hospitality facilities and tourist attractions that offer charging service. The aim is to improve the experience of the charging session and to promote the businesses that believe in sustainable mobility. The front-end device to enable mapping, charging and paying the charging services is called EVWAY and it's offered free of charge in iOS and Android and enables charging an electric vehicle all over Europe in more than 150.000 charging spots. The App also shows EV-Driver the points of interest near the charging station - museums, tourist attractions... -, allowing him to take advantage of his charging stop to discover what the territory has to offer. Within the App, the users can easily identify all the hospitality partners that adhere to the mission of the network: promote a sustainable way to travel in Europe. The App, in fact, indicates - with special markers for product category - the facilities that have a charging station - hotel, restaurant, museum, shopping center. The EV-Traveller can find ad-hoc pre-defined itineraries to discover the opportunities and beauties of territories in Europe, in alliance with local providers of sustainable events or experiences such as sailing tour, farm-to-fork shops, rental of electric boats, ebikes and cars. evway and the evway Travel Network are the first real tool to support and enable both the electric mobility and the discovery and promotion of sustainable tourism.
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EU UNESCO4ALL TOUR
25-05-2020
The EU UNESCO4ALL TOUR is an innovative, experiential, inclusive and transnational cultural tourism product combining together different but common UNESCO cultural WH sites in Europe by a thematic narrative logic. The tourism packages are fully focused on UNESCO built heritage and in particular on churches, monasteries and cathedrals, thus according to a "spiritual" narrative logic (“The Soul of Europe”) and addressed to - but not limited to - people with visual impairments, but ultimately including all kind of audiences according to the "designed4all" approach. They will all have the opportunity to access the arts and to experience the outstanding value of the UNESCO cultural heritage sites as never before both in museums and on site. Given the focus on UNESCO WH sites, the tourism product will also target the accessible tourism market: for this purpose, a specialised training to museums staffs in the field of the management of UNESCO WH sites and accessible tourism is provided, thus creating a multiplier effect for the adoption of the same good practice by other museums in Europe. The tourism packages are built on disruptive innovation making art accessible to the blind and visually impaired. The technology integrates tactile exploration with audio data, which is provided by an International company, leader in audio guides for cultural purposes. Currently tactile models are the way through which the blind and visually impaired people perceive the artworks and cultural heritage. The models, however, are per se “dumb”, so an audio guide or a human guide is necessary to integrate tactile perception with verbal information. We will therefore solve the problem by transforming tactile models of artworks into speaking models, thus allowing an interactive and independent exploration from people with visual disabilities.
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UNWTO Webinar “Agenda 2030 and SDGs in times of COVID-19: the chance to true recovery"
25-05-2020
The upcoming UNWTO Webinar of the series “Quo Vadis Tourism” will take place on May 27, 2020 at 12:00 PM (CET) The webinar is dedicated to the theme “Agenda 2030 and SDGs in times of COVID-19: the chance to true recovery”. This edition will debate issues related to the COVID-19 crisis and recovery as an opportunity to build an innovative tourism business model , as well as to highlight the need to integrate sustainability during recovery/value proposition, empower stakeholders and stimulate dialogue to inspire action for the tourism sector to embrace a new model of sustainable development during the drafting of recovery plans. HOSTS: Ms. Alessandra Priante, Regional Director for Europe, UNWTO Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic, Special Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and New York & Director of the Institutional Relations and Partnerships Department, UNWTO EXPERTS: Dr. Susanne Becken, Professor of Sustainable Tourism, Griffith University Prof. Theocharis Tsoutsos, Director of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Lab at School of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete Dr. David Ermen, Managing Director of Desti.nation Capacity Ltd (NZ), Destination Capacity Ltd Ms. Michaela Reittere, Owner Boutiquehotel Stadthalle & President of the Austrian Hotel Association, Boutique hotel Stadthalle Dr. Peter Prokosch, Chairman of the Norwegian-registered NGO Linking Tourism & Conservation, LinkingTourism&Conservation Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WmBgUc_hQKuc61dn6ctiLg Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX7z1lV-j2c&feature=youtu.be
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My Journey as Tour Guide
19-05-2020
From a young men in the Street of Windhoek to a most influential Tourist Guide in Namibia. Today i am been regarded as the Best Namibian Tourism Guide.
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ImpacTrip - Leave Your Footprint… In A Meaningful Way
05-05-2020
Nowadays, we tend to give the word “footprint” a negative connotation, probably because we relate it with the ecological, carbon or water imprint we leave in our Mother Earth. On the Internet, many are the articles and websites with tips and tricks on “How to reduce your carbon footprint?” or to help you calculate “how many planets does it take to support your lifestyle?”. But... What if you could change your perspective on this? What if you could leave a positive and purposeful impact while traveling abroad, discovering a new country and its local community?
This was exactly what Rita Marques, one of Impactrip’s founders, dreamt about, after travelling solo around Asia: creating a project which joined her strong will to change for good people’s lives, her passion to travel and also her life purpose of leaving her positive mark in the world. So that, after partnering up with Diogo, another intrepid traveler and dreamer, Impactrip was born! Since 2015 that, along with an A-Team, they’re developing International Volunteering Programs for those who want to enjoy a new destination while having a life-changing experience, not only for them but also for the local communities with whom they interact.
By enrolling in one of the International Volunteering Programs Impactrip offers, that range from working with people with special needs to helping with the conservation of endangered marine species, volunteers will not only have the opportunity to support the important mission of non-profit organizations in many different fields but also to develop countless soft-skills and get to know people from all over the world.
Currently operating in four European destinations – Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona and Split – Impactrip has already received people from over 60 different nationalities and contributed with 50.000+ hours to support a network of 350 non-profits. In addition, Impactrip is fully committed to contribute as much as it can to be a force of good. So that, the company makes great effort to encourage all of the volunteers, staff members and partners to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives, such as consuming responsibly and local, avoiding plastic waste, using water sparingly, etc. As you can see, Impactrip is always thriving to improve and to become a company that is constantly up to date with the current need from the communities not only with whom it directly works with but also with the World. We live in a true “global village” and we need, more than ever before, to be working along the global agendas to contribute to a sustainable development for all.
That’s why Impactrip’s International Volunteering Programs (IVP) are aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, to contribute to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and fix climate change until 2030. All of the Volunteering Programs have the potential to contribute, directly or indirectly, to all of the goals, but we would highlight that the major contributions fit in with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 – Good Health and Well-being - because within our Special Needs Support volunteers give vulnerable people quality care, compassion and a sense of hope and with the SDG 4 – Quality Education because through our Youth Support and Teaching program we ensure equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Moreover, the IVPs are also focused on pushing for Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), while supporting productive activities, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation and for Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). In the programs, especially in the Creative Technologies, Special Needs and Youth Support ones, volunteers cooperate with non-profits that help people live equally and as full citizens in all aspects of social living. Furthermore, these concerns don’t stop here. Besides the social-related issues, Impactrip’s IVPs also cover environmental problems. Animal and sea lovers can become part of a worldwide movement of passionate people dealing with the global challenge of litter and the impact human development is having on the oceans in the Marine Conservation program, while actively contributing to the SGD12-Responsible Consumption and Production–and13–ClimateAction– because they’ll help achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, by significantly reduce their release to water. Besides, we have to mention that this program also protects Life below Water (SDG 14), by developing activities that prevent and reduce marine pollution of all kinds. Likewise, Life on Land (SDG 15) is not forgotten: the Animal Care program aims to improve the lives of cats and dogs cats and to promote the understanding of the importance and value of animal welfare for a harmonious society.
Last, but not the least, all of the IVPs are a bold example of Partnerships for the Goals (Goal 17) since Impactrip, as a company and intermediary, and volunteers, as direct contributors, join causes dedicated to achieving a sustainable development for all. However, we should bear in mind that tourism has also its downsides, and each one of us ought to become, day by day and step by step, a more conscious traveler, citizen and sustainable development advocate. By choosing to travel responsabily you are already spending your time making a long-term positive contribution to the world and, as you could see, there are also many ways of leaving a positive footprint where we pass by. Impactrip, as a sustainable and responsible tour operator, is more than pleased to encourage and help people to travel in a more meaningful and positive way. On top of this, Impactrip ultimate goal is to create everlasting changemakers, this is, Impactrip aims for people to take home all of their inspiring experiences and continue to give back to their communities. Written by Maria João Gens Maria João Gens is a young professional from Porto, Portugal. She has studied Foreign Languages and Business Relations and is passionate about other cultures, travelling and (good) food. A full-time dreamer (and hard-worker!), she's trying to be the change she wishes to see in the world through path of Sustainability, Education, Responsible Consumption and Personal Development.
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Curso a distancia en Turismo Sostenible y Desarrollo Local en Áreas Rurales
05-05-2020
Esta propuesta formativa que busca fortalecer las capacidades de los actores para diseñar estrategias de desarrollo local basadas en un turismo responsable que pueda capitalizar su inmenso potencial en términos de prosperidad económica, inclusión social y preservación cultural y ambiental. La OIT considera el turismo como un importante motor para un desarrollo socioeconómico inclusivo y para la reducción de la pobreza. Dada su capacidad de generar empleo directo y su efecto multiplicador en otros sectores puede contribuir a la diversificación económica y al desarrollo local especialmente en las zonas rurales. El turismo es uno de los sectores más afectados por la actual crisis pero también ha demostrado una gran capacidad de reactivación y de generación de empleo y bienestar social. En una plataforma de formación en línea, el Ecampus del CIF/OIT, los participantes trabajarán con el apoyo de un equipo de tutorías los diferentes temas: la contribución del turismo al desarrollo, la oferta turística territorial, la gestión de destinos, las cadenas de valor y el diseño de un proyecto para el propio territorio. ¿A quién se dirige? Responsables políticos, técnicos superiores y actores socioeconómicos claves del desarrollo del turismo que desarrollen sus actividades en instituciones públicas y privadas, en organizaciones de la sociedad civil o de la cooperación internacional relacionadas con el tema del curs. CERTIFICACIÓN Al final del proceso y tras la evaluación satisfactoria de los ejercicios y el proyecto final, los participantes recibirán un Certificado de Aprovechamiento del CIF/OIT.
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Toolkit for CSR data in organisations (www.sustainablekeyindicators.com)
29-04-2020
It consists of the integration of the GRI Standards indicators with the SDGs at companies in the toolkit www.sustainablekeyindicators.com It has been implemented in the hotel sector. During the COVID-19 crisis, training sessions of the indicators are given through webinars.
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Toolkit www.sustainablekeyindicators.com for CSR data in organisations
27-04-2020
It consists in the integration of the GRI Standars indicators with the SDG at companies in the toolkit www.sustainablekeyindicators.com Actually implemented in hotel sector During the Covid19 crisis training sessions of the indicators are given through webinars.
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Tourism Week 2020: Shall we think about the future?
27-04-2020
The Tourism Week 2020 is promoted by teachers and students of the Graduation Course of Tourism Management at the Federal Center for Technological Education (CEFET / RJ), - Nova Friburgo campus and is scheduled to take place on the 17th, 18th and 19th of November 2020. The date may be changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SemaTur 2020 focuses on actions in the area of ​​Tourism that can contribute to the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, of the United Nations (UN). The document proposes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure that people achieve peace and prosperity. The theme of the event is in line with the understanding of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) that it is possible to reach the SDGs  through tourism, given the economic relevance of Tourism as well as its role in stimulating environmental sustainability and cultural safeguard , in reducing inequalities, promoting gender equality, accessibility and social inclusion. In order to contribute to Tourism being a vector in the reach of the SDGs, SemaTur 2020 accepts the invitation proposed on the platform “Tourism4SDGs”, created by OMT: “Let's make tourism a driver for realizing the SDGs!”. To this end, SemaTur 2020 will have oral communications and posters that have as a central axis "thinking about the future", seeking to reflect on the type of tourism we want to practice, how its actions, policies, plans and practices can contribute to the end of inequalities , promoting sustainability and achieving the SDGs. You can register or submit works through the link https://linktr.ee/Sematur
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Tourism Week 2020: Shall we think about the future?
26-04-2020
The Tourism Week 2020 is promoted by teachers and students of the Graduation Course of Tourism Management at the Federal Center for Technological Education (CEFET / RJ), - Nova Friburgo campus and is scheduled to take place on the 17th, 18th and 19th of November 2020. The date may be changed due to the COVID pandemic19. SemaTur 2020 focuses on actions in the area of ​​Tourism that can contribute to the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, of the United Nations (UN). The document proposes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure that people achieve peace and prosperity. The theme of the event is in line with the understanding of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) that it is possible to reach the SDGs / UN through tourism, given the economic relevance of Tourism as well as its role in stimulating environmental sustainability and cultural safeguard , in reducing inequalities, promoting gender equality, accessibility and social inclusion. In order to contribute to Tourism being a vector in the reach of the SDGs, SemaTur 2020 accepts the invitation proposed on the platform “Tourism4SDGs”, created by OMT: “Let's make tourism a driver for realizing the SDGs!”. To this end, SemaTur 2020 will have oral communications and posters that have as a central axis "thinking about the future", seeking to reflect on the type of tourism we want to practice, how its actions, policies, plans and practices can contribute to the end of inequalities , promoting sustainability and achieving the SDGs. You can register or submit works through the link https://linktr.ee/Sematur
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Impact House, a hostel in Lisbon allied with the SDGs
24-04-2020
On its 2019 Sustainable Travel Report Booking.com concluded that 55% of the travelers are more likely to make sustainable travel choices than they were a year ago. But barriers include a lack of knowledge and available or appealing options. So, consumers want to become more sustainable in their travels but do not seem to find the offer to match their aspirations. This is a great motivation for companies in the tourism sector to change theirs practice to more sustainable ones and for new companies with more social and environmental purposes to emerge. That was the case in 2018, when Rita and Diogo (founders of Impact+) decided to create another brand of the company: Impact House, a hostel committed with sustainability and NGO support in Lisbon. To define and to keeping improving our business in a sustainable way we could trust the SDGs as guidelines. We always saw the SDGs as our common goals as society that could only be attained with the contribution of all, governments, citizens, and, very importantly, companies. Independently of size, age and sector. In the tourism sector particularly, we knew the high risks of having a negative impact on host communities and natural resources. Therefore, we were aware of the importance of giving our contribution to change the sector aligned with the SGDs framework. Although we have practices and examples in all 17 Goals, we decided to choose 5 SDGs to share what we are doing in our sustainable hostel, Impact House. 2 – Zero hunger We are working to establish long-term business partnerships with small and local food suppliers, giving preference to NGOs. To make sure we minimize our food waste, we make accounts of the number of meals we have to make every day. We include our guests asking them to let us know when they are not going to have dinner or lunch, so we can adjust the quantities of food. If we have any food excess, we donate it to NGOs that make sure the food will be given to individuals or families in need. 4 – Quality Education
We are committed to give work opportunities to students at Impact House to learned how we work in the sustainable tourism sector. We have partnerships with tourism schools and universities and welcome interns every summer. Informal education is very important for us, we believe that volunteering is a great way to learning. Part of Impact House clients are engaged in international volunteer programs managed by the sister brand ImpacTrip. So, we not only make sure our guests have all their needs met to fully take part in their volunteering, but also, we invite all our guests to enroll in spontaneous volunteer activities to help our partners NGOs. Everything we do related with sustainability and NGO support we communicate and engage our clients. Our goal is to raise awareness and the levels of social and environmental consciousness. 7 – Affordable and clean energy At Impact House our electricity is exclusively from renewable sources. We made a contract with our energy supplier that finances the company investment in renewable sources of energy. We have in place the energy basics: Led lights and efficient home appliances, our guests and employees are incentivized to use public transportations in their daily commuting or trips among many other small initiatives to save energy. We also offset the Impact House CO2 emissions that we can’t avoid and we are working to calculate our own and our supply chain GHG emissions to achieve our 2030 commitment to be Net Zero. 12 – Responsible consumption and production We have a procurement policy that explicitly states our preference for non-profit and local suppliers, that recommends to analyze other options before buying new, and disregard for products packaged in single-use plastic. We are working hard to restructure our supply chain to be more aligned with our sustainability principles. We also extend these belief to our clients as we donate clothes, shoes, and hygiene products that are no longer used by our clients to NGOs that support homeless people and we incentivize our guests can swap clothes between them by using the swap spot, enlarging the life of fashion products.
Finally, we separate plastic, glass, paper and batteries for recycling, and we separate organic waste and compostable waste to use in our vermicompostor and then fertilize our food garden. Again, we engage our clients in the whole process. 17 – Partnerships for the goals This SDG is probably the most important for us because it is connected to the mission of the company Impact+. Our mission is to support our social and environmental non-profit partners. At Impact House, social and environmental partners are preferred suppliers and donations receivers. They are at the heart of everything we do, from the social shop where we promote and sell their products, to their art exhibitions we host every month, not forgetting the agenda of events we promote every week where these partners organize activities and raise awareness to different causes. These are some of our best practices, we hope some of them give inspiration to more companies in the tourism sector to be more sustainable and allied with the SGDs - we all gain with that. We invite you to see in loco, our doors are open to everyone. Written by Mariana Teixeira Mariana has dedicated her time and energy to managing companies, organizations, or projects with positive impact. She is a pessimistic-idealistic professional, obsessed with inequality and social problems and driven by purpose. She believes that social businesses will lead the change the world needs! Dance and gastronomy are her favorite ways to know a new culture and she trusts in the power of tourism to make the world smaller and the people closer. Mariana became a keen problem solver thanks to: her work experience in CSR consultancy, management challenges in both the private and social sectors, a master’s degree in development economics, a lot of volunteering hours and many adventures as a solo traveler.
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COVID-19 Related Travel restrictions - A Global Review for Tourism
22-04-2020
The scale of disruption caused by COVID-19 to global tourism is shown in a comprehensive report on travel restrictions from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The report, published at a time of unprecedented disruption for the sector, shows that almost all global destinations have imposed restrictions on travel since January 2020, including complete bans on all travel as they work to contain the pandemic. Over recent years, as the United Nations specialized agency for tourism, UNWTO has been regularly monitoring travel facilitation and observing a continuous trend towards more openness. COVID-19 has dramatically interrupted this. According to research carried out for the new report, as of 6 April, 96% of all worldwide destinations have introduced travel restrictions in response to the pandemic. Around 90 destinations have completely or partially closed their borders to tourists, while a further 44 are closed to certain tourists depending on country of origin.
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08-04-2020
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08-04-2020
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6th Sustainable Tourism Africa Summit 2020
30-03-2020
The Sustainable Tourism Africa Summit is an annual event whose purpose is modelling a sustainable future for tourism in Africa. The event brings together, for 3 days, tourism stakeholder from Africa and the rest of the world for the one purpose. The Sustainable Tourism Africa Summit features sustainable tourism masterclasses, presentation, workshops, side events, exhibitions and sustainable tourism awards. For the 3 days, the businesses, leaders and professionals present their solutions, business models and innovative products. The Sustainable tourism Africa summit also supports creation of networks that drive sustainability of business and destinations. The theme for 6th Sustainable Tourism Africa Summit is Sustainability and Optimizing Destination Africa~Our People. Our Planet. Our Prosperity. The 1st day, under the main theme;tourism resilience, recovery and crisis management. These will be a series of panel sessions by African Economic Communities, International and Regional Travel Tourism Associations and International and Regional Development Organizations. The 2nd day, under the main theme, will focus on Optimizing Destination Africa Through Sustainable Tourism Practice. These will be a series of presentations and panel sessions by leading sustainable tourism destinations and businesses. The 3rd day, under the main theme, will focus on Optimizing Destination Africa Through Technology & Research. These will be series of presentations and panel session by leading tourism & travel tech innovators and researchers. Afternoon session of day 1 & two is dedicated for workshops and idea pitches. Evening of day 3 will feature the Sustainable Tourism Africa Award which will be awarding Africa's top countries and destinations that are promoting sustainable tourism.
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Stay at home
20-03-2020
Hoof.club is an adventure group in IRAN And it has canceled all its events to prevent the outbreak of the Corona virus.
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2nd UNWTO Gastronomy Tourism Startup Competition
13-03-2020
The World Tourism Organization in collaboration with the Basque Culinary Center holds the 2nd Global Competition for Gastronomy Tourism Startups. Its main objective is to identify disruptive startups and projects that can transform the Gastronomy Tourism sector in the near future. Categories *Startup *Social innovation Calendar Launch: 28 January 2020 Deadline for applications: 6 April 2020 Announcement finalists: 4 May Final pitch session and announcement of the winner: 1-3 June Background Tourism is a driver of inclusive and sustainable economic growth, a cross-cutting sector with a high impact on the promotion of social welfare, with the aim of promoting the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. With continuous growth in the last decade, tourism generates approximately one in 10 jobs, and accounts for 10.2% of world GDP. At its intersection with the gastronomy sector, food tourism or culinary tourism, it is organized around experiential trips and assumes as part of its essence ethical and sustainable values related to the territory, heritage, local culture, local products, authenticity, tradition or culinary techniques at the local, regional or national level. Gastronomy tourism stimulates entrepreneurship and the generation of new companies and organizations that necessarily affect other industries transversally and fosters values such as: *Sustainability based on maintaining a balance between economic growth and gastronomic culture and heritage *The quality of initiatives from production to experience, along the entire tourism value chain *Authentic communication and a coherent narrative of gastronomic offerings with the participation of all the stakeholders of the sector; from chefs to the media *Cooperation among all actors throughout the entire value chain of the gastronomic and tourism sector *Authenticity by highlighting cultural heritage, local products and cultural values
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III Encontro para o Desenvolvimento do Cicloturismo 2020
12-03-2020
In its third edition, the Meeting for the Development of Cycling Tourism 2020 is an event dedicated to the promotion of bicycle tourism in Brazil through the qualification of the actors and the generation of research capable of offering subsidies for the expansion of this market. The event will deal with Governance for Regional Development in this edition and will take place on May 28th and 29th in the city of Blumenau (Santa Catarina), in the southern part of Brazil that concentrates the largest cycling tours in the country.
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Survey on how the SDGs have been incorporated into tourism
06-03-2020
The survey is conducted to glean the information from all around the world and from all the tourism sub-sectors. It will provide an overarching preview of the current situation of the carried-out activities on how the Sustainable Development Goals are incorporated into tourism. The results will pave the way towards consolidating the existing initiatives and creating better oriented practices during the UN Decade of Action. How to contribute: You are strongly encouraged to complete the Survey and also share it with your networks ranging from the private sector to civil societies and academia. Your contribution to the survey is really valued and the results and findings will be shared globally with all tourism public and private sectors. Why contribute: Tourism is a powerful vehicle to promote and reach the milestones of the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, given that it is one of the most important sectors in the global economy, a main job and wealth creator for many countries while enabling us to preserve our environment. Your actions, policies, plans, practices and etc. can make a huge contribution to the enhancement of the sustainable and responsible tourism. It is essential to mobilize everyone, everywhere to take action, locally and globally. Your activities can inspire the ones looking for the best practices. You can contribute to the new ways of accelerating SDGs action for those that are still behind in meeting the goals and create partnership and cooperation opportunities. Your responses will enrich the outcomes of this survey which will contribute to further empower tourism stakeholders to incorporate sustainability measures and policies in their daily work and objectives.
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NowHow
25-02-2020
NowHow is an invitation to bring the SDGs to life by applying values that for centuries have supported the sustainability of communities in rural Japan. Visitors invited to a small village in the mountains of northeast Japan are encouraged to see themselves as community interns. They learn about local culture and history, work alongside people who live in the community, and consider the relevance of village think to the health of modern urban society. Attention focuses in particular on 44 Vanishing Values that Prof. Ryuzo Furukawa has identified in the course of discussing "life before convenience" with several hundred people aged 90 and over throughout Japan and in other countries. How can these universal values advance progress to global goals? Why are they currently vanishing? What are the consequences of their impending extinction for the differentiation of Japan from other travel destinations? And what, in the first place, is the benefit of engagement between insider and outsider to the health of any community? NowHow is an opportunity to address all of these questions -- and to experience Japan's subtle power to mend a broken heart.
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Overtourism Solution
25-02-2020
Overtourism Solution is the new initiative with which the co-founders of Venezia Autentica (veneziaautentica.com) are looking to transfer their unique, on the ground experience, to more destinations around the world. Venezia Autentica (VA) is a localized social enterprise using digital technologies, communication, and social innovation to increase both the satisfaction of visitors and the retention of tourism revenue in Venice and make tourism beneficial for residents, visitors and the destination. The work of VA has been highlighted by features in media such as CNN, Forbes and Conde Nast Traveler, participation as speakers at prestigious international conferences and by awards competition. In the past few years, it is estimated that VA contributed over 3 million euros to 150 local businesses in Venice and that its content reached over 40 million users. By working with government, institutions, corporations, schools, organizations and any kind of individual and entities looking to see tourism become a force for good, Overtourism Solution seeks to help transform the tourism industry as a whole. Today Overtourism Solution is a pioneer, a rare initiative, proposing concrete solutions to an overgrowing problem: the negative impact of tourism. Frequently commenting on media, or advocating for change at events or directly to governments, Overtourism Solution is the ideal partner for governments, tourism boards, and associations who are looking to increase the satisfaction of visitors while making sure that tourism benefit the local community and destination.
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UNWTO Acceleration Programme
18-02-2020
The UNWTO Acceleration Programme is the first training platform specifically designed for the tourism officials of the World Tourism Organization's Member States in order to develop innovation and digital transformation skills and provide practical tools for project implementation in diverse destinations. Its objectives are: *To encourage government officials to foster innovation and digital transformation within their regions *To strengthen knowledge in innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem development *To introduce case studies and best practices which may lead governments to define concrete actions *To provide tools to drive digital transformation projects Its first edition gathered more than 50 participants from 20 nationalities, covering the 5 UNWTO regions. The attendees had an intensive agenda with keynote speeches, masterclasses and workshops about digital transformation, entrepreneurship, how to grow startups to scaleups, GovTech initiatives, public-private innovation, smart destinations and venture capital. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals led the discussions and allowed the participants to observe the importance of merging innovation and sustainability.
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Promoting Innovation for Productive Employment in Tourism Sector
17-02-2020
The initiative by name of Promoting Innovation for Productive Employment in Tourism Sector (PIPETS) aims to increase productive employment opportunities for jobless people in the key priority areas of the tourism sector for the economic development of Rwanda. The PIPETS project is set to achieve this by innovatively develop workforce employability competencies besides product market performances in the tourism sector. The workforce employability competencies are to be innovatively developed through dual education or training to take place alternately in two venues: the education or training centre and the company. The company-based is to be put to work through on-the-job training (coaching, instructional, and apprenticeship, understudy) methods. The education or training centre-based is to be put to work with the help of off-the-job-training (lectures, vestibule training, simulation exercises, sensitivity training, and transactional training) methods. This five-year workforce competency development initiative is to serve 1,000,010 unemployed people, mainly students and graduates including the energetic jobless people and 8,844 sectoral stakeholders in the economic development priority sectors of Rwanda. The effective product market performances to be innovatively developed will include product innovation, service innovation, process innovation, marketing innovation, and organizational innovation. This PIPETS project will be a result of the combined efforts of different stakeholders for the consolidated development of workforce employability competency and product market performance in the tourism sector of Rwanda. These stakeholders will be those from the private and public sectors that provide, deliver or manage tourism, and employment opportunities. These stakeholders are to be comprised of educators and trainers, funders, and regulators.
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Leave it Better than You Met It : Keep Ado-Awaye Clean
17-02-2020
ComeMakeWeGo Africa launches an environmental sustainability initiative with wastebaskets and bins at Ado-Awaye(Oyo State, Nigeria) to boost sustainable tourism. “Leave it better than you met it; Keep Ado-Awaye Clean” Lagos, Nigeria, Feb 13, 2020: -- In the cause to boost sustainable tourism around local communities in Africa, Comemakewego Africa, a leading destination marketing and community-driven sustainable tourism agency in Nigeria initiated an environmental sustainability project in Ado-Awaye, Oyo state, Nigeria. Comemakewego Africa has been the sole promoter of Ado-Awaye; A community in Oyo state known to have the only suspended lake in Africa(1 of the only 2 in the world), and the best hiking landscape in southwest Nigeria. Due to the dynamic strategies used for destination promotion, Comemakewego Africa has been able to get over 5000 hikers to the destination in less than 2 years, and as these numbers keep increasing, the brand believes there is a need to take actions in ensuring the environment is kept safe for both the locals and hikers. The launch event was attended by members of the local community and state government. To mention a few in attendance; Local community: The Royal Father (Alado of Ado-Awaye), the community chairman, elders of the community, youth representatives. State Government: Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Director of Culture, Director of Tourism, SA to the governor on student affairs, etc. While addressing the community leaders and representatives, Atabo David, who is the founder of Comemakewego Africa stated that “It is when the local people understand the benefit of development, that is when the government and private investors would be encouraged to bring further development”. This statement was to charge the community to ensure that every development coming into the community should be guarded jealously and taken care of, and also, the members of the community need to be at peace.
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Barba Azul Nature Reserve
27-01-2020
Barba Azul Nature Reserve is the only private reserve protecting the Endangered Beni savanna ecosystem. This hyper-seasonal savanna eco-region, combined with raised forest islands, is characterized by 8 months of flooding followed by a severe dry period. It is the habitat of the endemic and Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis). Between 400 and 450 individuals are left in the wild, of which up to 155 forage at Barba Azul, making this reserve population the stronghold for the species. Not only is it important for the macaws, but Barba Azul also provides refuge for many other threatened birds, mammals and plants. Created as a sanctuary for the Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw, our conservation effort has given a safe home to many tame birds and mammals that can be seen like nowhere else in Bolivia. Hundreds of Macaws, with Toucans, Hawks, and enormous aquatic birds like the Jabiru, abound on our trails. Barba Azul is the best place to see giant anteater, maned wolf, puma, howler monkey and the gigantic black caiman. Barba Azul has it all, large open rivers where you can fish for Piranha, dense palm forests to see howley monkeys and Blue-throated Macaws, open cerrado forest, and massive areas of tall grass savanna offering a home to rare birds, armadillos, pumas, and giant anteaters. Barba Azul has several maintained trails through forest islands, savanna and open woodlands offering countless opportunities to see wildlife. Barba Azul is a great place for birdwatching with over 316 birds, with the record of 179 bird species seen in one day. The tame and abundant wildlife makes for a great observing experience, whether it is during a slow sundown river trip, or on horseback through the savannas, or sipping a cool drink on our veranda bird feeders overlooking the marsh, river and forest.
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ARCHITECTURE AND TOURISM. Active students
22-01-2020
An Initiative that shaped a new subject in architecture degree in Chihuahua, Mexico. The Projects of students are focused on the reinforcement of the touristic activities in Casas Grandes, a north Mexican town that has been renowned as one of the 121 “Pueblos Mágicos” (Magical Towns), a touristic program created by the Minister of Tourism of Mexico. Because of the rules of the program, Casas Grandes, and other magical towns have found complicated to be benefited (economically) from this government touristic program. They need a preliminary architectural and urbanistic design done, but there are not enough resources to hire a specialist in the field before have the economics supports. Therefore, it came to light the need to bring together university and social programs, actively and in a real way. The subject was created to be implemented in the final year of college. And Its structure was designed to reinforce sustainable values, innovation, and interdisciplinary focus: Project stages. 1. Masterclasses. Professionals from different fields help the students to open their perspective on the theme. 2. Bibliographic investigation. Students and teachers organize groups of work to investigate the different issues, on the basis of sustainability. 3. Field research. Study trip. 4. Field Analysis. 5. Conclusions. To determine what sustainable projects are the most feasible to the case of study. 6. Projects. Ideas proposal and development. Individual preliminary architectural and urbanistic projects. 7. Presentation to authorities. From the government and university. There was proposed one integral group project divided into eight individual project proposals. That is a great advance to Casas Grandes people to complete the requirements of the Ministry of Tourism of México, to earn the financial backing.
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Red-fronted Macaw Reserve
21-01-2020
The Red-fronted Macaw Reserve (50 hectares) is the destination for a wildlife and bird watching ecotourism holiday in Bolivia that supports indigenous communities. It is an initiative of Armonía and three communities of Omerque, to protect the largest breeding population of the Bolivian endemic and Critically Endangered Red-fronted Macaw (Ara rubrogenys). Not only does the reserve retain the largest known nesting site of the Red-Fronted Macaw, other endemic species like the Bolivian Blackbird (Oreopsar bolivianus) and Cliff Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus luchsi) breed here. The Quechua communities of San Carlos, Perereta and Amaya have become the guardians of the dry Andean wildlife, dedicated to the protection of the Red-fronted Macaw. They are managing de Red-fronted Macaw lodge to improve their community’s quality of life through the nature conservation. The reserve also protects one of the best conserved archaeological sites of the Omereque culture the ancient fortress of Tunas Mok’o.
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Global Tourism Plastics Initiative
20-01-2020
The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative aims to articulate, support and scale-up action by tourism stakeholders and is building a global alliance to fight plastic pollution. As part of the activities of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme, the Initiative is led by UN Environment and UNWTO in collaboration with Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Recognizing the global importance of the tourism sector and its role as an agent of change, the Initiative will support partner organizations in making better use of plastics in their operations and reducing plastic waste. In particular, action towards 2025 is being structured through the development of a menu of commitments for private sector, destinations and associations to define concrete roadmaps for implementation by 2025.
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Verdensmål Stevns
20-01-2020
Stevns Klint just south of Copenhagen in Denmark became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014.In order to generate sustainable societal, economic and environmental development, a partner program was created for all companies, associations, organizations, artists, etc. who wish to support sustainable development within the framework of UNESCO World Heritage. The partner program currently has more than 80 active partners and throughout the year events and activities are held in support of their work. It is aided by Stevns Municipality’s strategical focus on sustainable tourism and development. The partner program centers on working with the 17 SDGs. In order to help the partners integrate the SDGs in their activities, the local world heritage organization and the local business council developed a Sustainability Toolkit. The toolkit is an online form, that details each of the 17 SDGs and allows the partners to make their own notes on how they are working with selected SDGs. The toolkit thus offers an overview of how each partner articulates and translates selected SDG into concrete business initiatives. The partners also put down ideas for further developing work with the 17 SDGs inspiring each other to build upon current initiatives. By sharing the notes with each other using the toolkit, the partners now have a source of inspiration and knowledge sharing when integrating the SDGs in the development of their businesses. Additionally, the toolkit offers insights regarding the partners work with the SDGs as well as knowledge about those SDGs that are currently trending among the partners thus allowing the local world heritage organization and the local business council to develop the partner program further - still driven by the focus of its partners. In 2020, the partner program will create a vision with a project for the partners grounded in their SDG focus areas, which will have the partners working together in groups to strengthen sustainable development.
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Instrumentalization of tourism for socio-economic well-being: a proposal for application in emerging destinations within the framework of the Agenda 2030
15-01-2020
These are the main results of a dissertation that contains a total of fours papers with the main goal of quantifying the incidence of tourism on the socioeconomic conditions of the population in emerging destinations, within the framework of the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The dissertation is developed at the Universidad de Sevilla (Spain).
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Instrumentalization of tourism for socio-economic well-being: a proposal for application in emerging destinations within the framework of the Agenda 2030
15-01-2020
These are the main results of a dissertation that contains a total of fours papers with the main goal of quantifying the incidence of tourism on the socioeconomic conditions of the population in emerging destinations, within the framework of the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The dissertation is developed at the Universidad de Sevilla (Spain).
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14-01-2020
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IMAGINE - ICTs to promote sustainable heritage tourism in Indonesia
08-01-2020
Summer School 2020 of the UNESCO Chair in ICT to develop and promote sustainable tourism in World Heritage Sites (USI - Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland) IMAGINE ICTs to promote sustainable heritage tourism in Indonesia August 16-23, 2020 – Indonesia The 7th edition of the USI UNESCO Chair Summer School is realized in collaboration with Trisakti School of Tourism, in Indonesia. The USI UNESCO Chair Summer School in Indonesia will discover tangible Indonesian UNESCO World Heritage Sites and intangible Cultural Heritage in five cities (Jakarta, Cirebon, Pekalongan, Solo, and Yogyakarta). The Summer School will provide learning experiences about Indonesian Batik textile heritage, local gastronomy, as well as cultural visits and seminars. A special focus will be placed on the issue of how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be applied to enhance the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Indonesia and strengthen sustainable tourism, as well as connect locals and visitors. Seminars will be conducted in three Royal Palaces (Cirebon, Solo, and Yogyakarta) on Java Island. The Summer School also includes the two most prominent Indonesian UNESCO World Heritage Sites; the Borobudur and Prambanan Temple compounds.
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Taste and Travel SA de CV
08-01-2020
Taste & Travel offers authentic culinary experiencies with local taste and social sense in Mexico and we are expanding into the Latam region. Local Taste: we work with traditional cooks, usually women, from all the regions in Mexico Social Sense: we invest 1% of all our revenues in the purchase of crafts from local women artisans from the Triqui community in Oaxaca, Mexico, to help them preserve their cultural heritage.
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Digital communication of indigenous African heritage and fashion
08-01-2020
Southern Summer School of the UNESCO Chair in ICT to develop and promote sustainable tourism in World Heritage Sites (USI - UNiversità della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland) Digital communication of indigenous African heritage and fashion February 9-15, 2020 – Namibia The 2020 Southern Summer School, the first of its kind, is realized in collaboration with the University of Namibia and the University of Turku, in Finland. Africa is a rich continent with very diverse cultures, heritage sites and indigenous fashion designs, which can be found in different countries. ICTs are used to preserve and promote cultural tourism and fashion. This Southern Summer School aims to investigate how digital technologies could be leveraged to communicate, promote and market African fashion designs and cultural tourism. Additionally, the school aims to inspire participants to work with local stakeholders from cultural tourism and fashion. The school will offer a perspective of the Namibian cultural tourism and fashion. It will consist of lectures, visits to sites, hands-on exercise, as well as formal and informal activities, which are related to cultural tourism and fashion. Additionally, this school will contribute to celebrate the 150 years of Namibian – Finnish relationship.
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HomeCarShare - Sustainable Booking Platform
07-01-2020
HomeCarShare is a booking platform similar to booking or Airbnb, but 100% Portuguese and sustainable. Is possible to book or advertise(list) tourist accommodations with or without support vehicle (car, moto, boat or others) The best advantage we have in the economic point of you is that we share our income with our users (travelers and owners). We ask for a fee per booking where 40% is to finance the company activities and 60% is to give to our active users in a loyalty program. The best feature for us is the partnerships for sustainable development goals, where all bookings will support an environmental, social and/or local cause. We refund in a coupon the amount donated to reinforce the spread of word about the support of the causes and to incentive more support.
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HomeCarShare - Sustainable Booking Platform
07-01-2020
HomeCarShare is a booking platform similar to booking or Airbnb, but 100% Portuguese and sustainable. Is possible to book or advertise(list) tourist accommodations with or without support vehicle (car, moto, boat or others) The best advantage we have in the economic point of you is that we share our income with our users (travelers and owners). We ask for a fee per booking where 40% is to finance the company activities and 60% is to give to our active users in a loyalty program. The best feature for us is the partnerships for sustainable development goals, where all bookings will support an environmental, social and/or local cause. We refund in a coupon the amount donated to reinforce the spread of word about the support of the causes and to incentive more support.
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homiefoo
17-12-2019
ABOUT US? Homiefoo is the Social Super Market that inspires and connects all the travelers of the planet with incredible gastronomic experiences created by local people. But this is only the beginning! homiefoo combines the best of social networks with the characteristics of an OTA, which, added to our patented algorithm, we become the super dominant application that controls all phases of the journey from end to end. From the inspiration and planning phase, to the reservation of Everything for your trip, in one place! WHAT IS THE PROBLEM SOLVED? In 1st place; Homiefoo seeks to solve the problem of social inequality in the tourism industry. According to the UN, of the more than $ 1,700 BILLION generated by this large industry, only $ 5 of every $ 100 beneficiary to our local communities. This seems embarrassing to us! In 2nd place; the complex fragmentation in the offer of tourist services. More than 57% of travelers want the existence of a single application that manages to cover all their travel needs in one place. WHY DO WE DO IT? At homiefoo we believe that innovation and the development of new technologies must be motivated by the idea of ​​creating better living conditions for others. We want to declare that in what we believe in designing technology that democratizes society's entrepreneurship in the technological, open and sustainable tourism industry that fosters social cohesion, promotes cultural values, generates miles of jobs that reduce poverty and accelerate economic development. and community of Mexico, and of all our countries. That is why we have innovated and created a platform for locals and travelers just great. Not only because through it you can be inspired, experience, and live incredible experiences, but also because you make use of it, help create a better life condition for our society.
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Exclusive Art Tourism
17-12-2019
The Art Industry is underplayed and does not get the recognition that it deserves considering the role that it plays in cultural sustainability and its contribution to the economic growth of the country. As a result artists struggle to be seen and appreciated and often do not have the resources or capacity to promote and advertise their work. Although there are initiatives to try and provide a platform for such artists these are mostly uncoordinated leading to scattered efforts. The lack of local appreciation and understanding of the arts industry equates to a poor flow of traffic to galleries, art centres etc from the local population. Solution: -A Partnership between us as the (Tour Operator) and the Art Galleries, Artists and Community Art Centres to develop Exclusive Art Tours. -Taking tourists to the artists through planned art tours. The increase in traffic of people to art centres and galleries, some of which are in remote areas or rural communities will ensure that they become more visible and will do a lot in terms of rural development. The Project incorporates atleast 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals as the attached document highlights. For example; the support of under resourced communities (SDG 1 and 8), academic sponsorship of a young female artist in the rural communities as well as nurturing of their art skills (SDG 4 and 5), support of the women in the tourism circle (wives of our drivers and others in similar circumstances) to start income generating projects as well as giving them the necessary training (SDG 5 and 8). We also seek to strengthen the structures already in place to promote local art by partnering with them and supporting their efforts through the planned tours (SDG 17) Also support in creation or rennovation of existing creative hubs to incorporate more artists with diverse arts and crafts skills and thus provide them a platform to engage with the rest of the world through the tours (SDG 9).
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Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
16-12-2019
The history of Mistico Park, where Costa Rica's famous suspension bridges are located, started at the beginning of the 20th century. Landelina Rodríguez and Adrián Castillo, natives from La Fortuna, San Carlos, dedicated their life to work the land they had inherited from their parents on the slopes of Arenal Volcano. At the beginning of 21st century, the family decided to open this natural forest sanctuary to the public, and they hired a company to develop the Puentes del Arenal ecotourism project, which would allow thousands of people to enjoy the beauty of the forests in a comfortable and comfortable way. comfortable. safe. Under the Mistico Park brand, today the park offers not only the attraction of suspension bridges, but also a wide variety of routes that allow visitors to enjoy direct contact with nature, where many native species live in an ecosystem with great diversity biological In Mistico Park, inclusive ecotourism is promoted, which offers the highest level of comfort possible to all visitors with accessible trails. These have no stairs, have railings and the surface material is non-slip concrete. During our visit to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park we observed different joint ecosystems forming a belt of transition vegetation with a high level of biodiversity, that can be found along the border between two types of forests: highlands and lowlands, collecting species from both areas. Over years of evolution, plants from lowland rainforests, typical of Sarapiquí and Tortuguero, has experienced an altitude migration up to 500-600 meters, allowing it to meet and interact with plants from the highlands. For this reason, the treetops in Mistico Park offers a rich environment in biodiversity, with a strong presence of several species of epiphytic plants, birds, mammals, butterflies and much more. Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is a great example of good practices on implementing SDGs from local actions to attain sustainability.
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Tourismus und die SDGs
12-12-2019
With the initative "Tourismus und die SDGs" the Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism of Austria developed a website that offers information and best-practice examples on how to implement the SDGs in tourism with a special focus on Austria. The project is supported by a network of 11 SDG ambassadors who are key stakeholders in the Austrian tourism sector.
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Join #UNWTO for 'Transforming Tourism for Climate Action' at #COP25 - low- carbon growth is reachable!
02-12-2019

No time to lose!

Climate response - how?

#tourism can show the way!

Join #UNWTO for 'Transforming Tourism for Climate Action' at #COP 25- low carbon growth is reachable!

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Salam Pakistan 4 Treveler's Perspective
29-11-2019
Pakistan, a growing destination !! Did you know that Pakistan is a very attractive country for those who like high mountains, beaches, deserts, waterfalls, culture, history and good food. Visitors go there several times and if you have been there once, you might always want to visit again. Salam Pakistan 2020 presents to you travelers who have traveled from Sweden and the rest of Europe to Pakistan to explore its beauty. An afternoon full of experiences where travelers share their perspectives of their journey within Pakistan. In addition, we offer our guests entertainment in the form of traditional dance performances and live music. Come and meet our travelers on the spot, at this year's Salam Pakistan 2020 "Travelers' Perspective" event. Who knows, you might hang with them next time !! Follow us and stay tuned for more info. www.salampakistan.se #SalamPakistan2020 #SalamPakistan #CulturalExchange #sustainabletourism #responsibletourism #visitpakistan
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Sociology of Leisure and Tourism
27-11-2019
The Sociology of Leisure and Tourism course at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) will help undergraduate students to understand tourism from a sociological perspective. Students will analyze and study topics such as: -Sociological perspectives on environmental sustainability in tourism -Sociological perspectives on cultural sustainability in tourism -Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals -The role of tangible and intangible cultural heritage for host communities -Integration of local communities in the tourism value chain -The importance of the collaboration between local communities, governments, and members of the hospitality industry Moreover, being the class taught in Las Vegas, which is one of the most famous tourism destinations in the world, students will reflect on the city's role in the hospitality industry, especially focusing on sustainability and tourism practices. Students will use research-based material produced by both the Department of Sociology and the International Gaming Institute at UNLV. Instructor: Marta Soligo - marta.soligo@unlv.edu
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Destination Mapping, Analysis and Strategic Action Planning in in Guyana
22-11-2019
In November 2018, the Swisscontact Tourism Advisory Services and Trainings team executed an assignment in the South American country of Guyana, contracted by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). Objectives of the assignment were on-the-job training for strategic destination assessment, training for a “Living Destination Development & Management Action Plan (LiDDMAP)” and the anchoring of this knowledge through capacity building, structure and guidance, for selected staff and partners of GTA. The focus of the assessment process were two destinations: The capital of Georgetown and its surroundings and the Rupununi Savannah in the South of the country.
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Travel Kollekt - Guidebooks re-invented
22-11-2019
Travel Kollekt (travelkollekt.com) is an on-demand, web-based publishing tool that is bringing the paper and books back to the travel experience. We reinvent the concept of the travel book, with an on-demand publishing tool that is bringing the paper and books back to the travel experience. The company bridge the digital with analog, using reverse printing to create a new tactile and aesthetic experience. The tool is designed to empower people to organize their travel research and enable them to create their own travel guide books. It is a new approach towards responsible travel, giving people authorship of their journey. Travel Kollekt meets a growing demand of travellers who want to have personalized, responsible travel information and curated expert content at hand. We're taking a stand against the trend of "suggested" experiences and algorithms. Instead we empower travelers to think for themselves. Knowledge gives people the power to make better choices; that’s why we celebrate the research and reading process before and during a trip. Our tool is designed to empower independent travelers and professionals to organize their travel research and enable them to create personal travel books. We truly believe that every journey is a book yet to be written. Travel Kollekt gives travellers authorship of their journeys. It’s a new approach to travel, a more responsible way to lead with it and have a memorable personal experience. The perfect solution for independent travellers looking for personalization and inspiration. Our responsible vision We empower responsible travellers. We do this by tackling the first barrier to sustainable behavior: a lack of information. Supporting a global movement of independent travellers with tools to be more conscious. We want to play a role in encouraging people travelling with intention proving them that planning, sustainability, and serendipity can go hand in hand.
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18-11-2019
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Hotelplan Suisse
11-11-2019
Hotelplan Suisse is strengthening its cooperation with OceanCare: Activities as swimming with dolphins or visiting dolphinaria will no longer be advertised and hence travellers' awareness raised.
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Destination Pledges Research: Objectives, Strategies, Implementation
07-11-2019
To date, this project has explored destination pledges in Iceland, Palau, Hawai’i, New Zealand and Finland from an organisational perspective. The project has focused on the motivations, strategies and impacts related to these destination pledges. Sixteen semi-structured interviews have been carried out with a total of 19 participants. Participants were high-ranking representatives of organisations involved in developing, managing and implementing activities related to the Icelandic Pledge, the Palau Pledge, the Hawai’I Pono Pledge, Tiaki – Care for New Zealand and the Sustainable Finland Pledge. Please see attached results summary for an overview of initial findings. Please contact the researchers for more details: Dr Julia Albrecht, University of Otago, julia.albrecht@otago.ac.nz Eliza Raymond, GOOD Travel, eliza@good-travel.org
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Development also brings change
05-11-2019
Swisscontact implemented the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs’ WISATA project in Indonesia since 2010. The objective was to develop first one, then four tourism destinations, thereby creating the conditions for more jobs and better income opportunities. Ruedi Nuetzi directed the project since the very beginning, before closing it down in summer 2018. Read the interview with him here:
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Tourism awareness and entrepreneurship
05-11-2019
Interested candidates can join me for in-depth analysis and explore business opportunities within the tourism industry. Here I will focus more on opportunities in rural periphery than in urban to achieve sustainability in all dimensions.
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Establishing Conscientious consumer Choices: Efforts to Reduce Packaging Waste within the Hospitality Tourism Industry
04-11-2019
In partnership with George Brown College my academic partner Doris Miculan Bradley and I are proposing research to support contributions to SDG 2, 12 and 14. We are currently in the proposal stage in order to access funding to explore best practices employed with the goal towards reduction of packaging waste among Hospitality Tourism organizations. In order to complete a successful application we are seeking a letter of support from a UNWTO representative expressing the benefit our work will have on contributing to the achievement of SDG 1, 12, 14. Attached is a letter requesting the letter of support with further detailed information regarding the project and what needs to be included in the letter of support. We are working on a very tight time line and need confirmation that a letter is being drafted no later than November 8, 2019 to be followed by the actual letter no later than November 16, 2019. It is encouraged that your time and support be afforded to our work pending approval. Thanks and appreciation are garnered in advance as we look forward to your support being emailed to drleerosen@majicinmotion.com. Dr Donna Lee Rosen will be your contact person for this initiative. 647-801-8860
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Establishing Consiceitious consumer Choices: Efforts to Reduction of Packaging waste within the Hospitaity and Tourism Industry
02-11-2019
My name is Doris Miculan Bradley, along with my academic partner – Donna Lee Rosen, we are submitting an application for research funding in order to study best practices in efforts to reduce waste in packaging. Attached is a letter requesting a statement of interest to engage in and participate in our research efforts. The letter outilnes the benefits to the UNWTO and the alignment ot SDG 2,12,14. Regretfully, we are under a deadline of November 8th, 2019, 8:00am. We feel that your letter of support will directly impact the opportunity for research funding. Please feel free to reach out to myself or Doris at dleerosen@georgebrown.ca or dorisbradley@georgebrown.ca for further clarification if needed.
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Venezuela Voluntary National Review
01-11-2019
The recognition of the role of tourism in sustainable development and the emphasis placed in the SDGs on the development of public policies for sustainable tourism is a landmark breakthrough that provides a unique opportunity for all governments to create a sound and favourable policy foundation. The first two years of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda have shown that countries are making headway in aligning national strategies, adapting institutional frameworks and adjusting policies to realize the SDGs. The countries’ efforts have been reported in the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), presented by UN Member States during the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in 2016 and 2017. In Venezuela’s Voluntary National Review 2016, tourism is mentioned as one of the three most dynamic economic drivers, together with agriculture and non-petroleum exports.
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Cargo bikes and my hidden mission
01-11-2019
I have been working i tourism for over 12 years. Three years ago (before I was aware of SDGs) I started my own experience company - Copenhagen Family Tours. I wanted to give families with small kids the opportunity to go on a sightseeing bike tour all together and give them an unforgettable experience of my local town Copenhagen. In the beginning I did not know if this would work and what difference I could make. I just knew that cycling is healthy, CO2 friendly and makes you happy. On my third tour I discovered my mission and what difference I could make: When we said goodbye to my American guests, the kids gave me a hug and asked their parents when they would get themselves a cargo bike. There it was. Without even mentioning sustainability or CO2 during the tour, I had indirectly planted the idea of (cargo) bikes as alternative means of transportation for families in the kids' and thus also the parents heads. It might not be a huge impact, but it is MY impact and I am proud of it and it makes me going on with my little business.
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Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Summit: North Lake Tahoe
28-10-2019
By harnessing the collective power of the industry for a common purpose, we can tackle some of the seemingly unmanageable issues facing destinations. Our Meaningful Travel Summits provide not only immediate impact through volunteering but help create lasting impact by leveraging the power of the travel and tourism industry. As a destination with incredible natural assets, it’s not hard to see why North Lake Tahoe is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. But Tahoe remains pristine because of the commitments of local businesses and individuals to keep Tahoe blue. We will focus our work and conversations around water, climate change, forest health and how a destination like Lake Tahoe overcomes the challenges created as a popular tourism destination. What lessons can we as a greater industry learn from our colleagues and destination partners? Join us in North Lake Tahoe for two days of inspiration and action. From executive level decision-makers to product development and sales teams -all levels of the business join our programs. Representatives from companies such as Delta Air Lines Vacations, Brand USA, Collette, Booking.com, Apple Leisure Group as well as industry associations and consortia such as CLIA, ASTA, USTOA, Signature Travel Network and US Travel are prior program sponsors and are expected to attend. Tourism Cares also has deep media partnerships with Travel Weekly, AFAR Magazine, Travel Market Report, TravAlliance and others.
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RED ROCKS ARTS FOR CONSERVATION PROGRAM
28-10-2019
Art has been used to tell conservation stories that have captivated the world and make people act. Artists have painted different images that speak for animals and plants that cannot speak for themselves. Red Rocks Initiatives founded the Red Rocks Art Gallery in Kinigi where it engages the local community in tourism, conservation and sustainable development in and around Volcanoes National Park. The Arts for Conservation initiative is a partnership between Red Rocks Cultural Centre and local artisans at the Kinigi Community, we opened doors to a cooperative of 12 members who produce arts and handcrafts. The gallery targets education, art, research, and community development programs. Arts for Conservation activities include painting and learning more about painting. Tourists visiting our art gallery may participate in painting with local artists, and also learn painting techniques from them. Visitors are welcome to take their paintings home as a souvenir. The community and their families benefit directly from this project since many of our artists are community members. Since the art exhibits emphasize conservation, the local community now understands the essence of protecting the park.
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II ENCONTRO DE INOVAÇÃO EM TURISMO: INTERAÇÃO ENTRE ACADEMIA, MERCADO, SETOR PÚBLICO E SOCIEDADE CIVIL
23-10-2019
The “II TOURISM INNOVATION MEETING: INTERACTION BETWEEN ACADEMY, MARKET, PUBLIC SECTOR AND CIVIL SOCIETY”, designed by UNIGRANRIO Tourism Research Center, coordinated by Professor Deborah Moraes Zouain, aims to stimulate the interaction between the different actors in the field of tourism, so that innovation in the destination happens. The event will be held on October 29, 2019, from 9a.m. to 5p.m., at the Museu Histórico Nacional, in Rio de Janeiro, with support and funding from FAPERJ, and will be attended by researchers, entrepreneurs, public managers and representatives of civil society. Through the use of the Design Thinking methodology and thematic round tables, it will be possible to identify bottlenecks and propose solutions in the 4 main tourist areas of Rio de Janeiro: Downtown, Port Zone, South Zone and Barra da Tijuca, considering the different tourism segments. . Therefore, the event will seek to create a collaborative environment that enhances the knowledge of the participants involved and contributes to this post-Olympic period in the city of Rio de Janeiro .The event aims to contribute to the strengthening of business networks, as well as to the development of an innovation mindset, whether in the short, medium or long term, and is a driving force for co-creation and cooperation between different organizations. In an increasingly competitive world market, this relationship between academia and the market, the public sector and civil society becomes essential for the production of knowledge and scientific and technological development. The event relates especially to the SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals - as well as SDG 9 Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure, when proposes that the articulation and participation of all actors involved in tourism development shall promote innovation and a sustainable growth to the sector. Farther, it is possible to relate the results aimed with the event to several SDGs, such as SDG8, SDG 10, SDG11 and SDG12.
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Birding Festivals in Honduras
15-10-2019
Honduras Turismo y Marketing S.A., organizes birding festivals geared towards locals to create interest in birdwatching as a healthy and rewarding hobby and promote conservation under the theme "healthy habitats for birds are also healthy for humans". Our birding festivals include presentations & workshops in topics relating to birds, birding, tourism and conservation, and are complemented with birding walks led by local birding guides and volunteers from the local birding clubs. Our first festival in the Caribbean Coast of Honduras in March 2019 won the Mindful Birding Award for promoting ethical birding (the 1st international recipient of the award). Our second festival in Marcala (scheduled for November 2019) will focus on the importance of tree-shade grown coffee habitat for migratory birds from North America. During the festival we will join in the celebration of World Migratory Bird Day. The Marcala Birding Festival will also showcase local coffee farmers that are diversifying their farm income with agritourism as a way to counteract issues in coffee production from climate change and volatile coffee prices. Our third festival is scheduled for Copan in 2020 and will focus on birds in Mayan mythology and iconography. For the logistics of the festivals we hire national birding guides as trip leaders and source food, entertainment, ground transportation, and lodging from locally owned and operated entrepreneurs and companies.
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From Industrial Chocolate to Locally Made Chocolate
15-10-2019
Do you know how to make chocolate? When you visit Oveng lodge camp (a beautiful eco tourism camp in Cameroon), you can participate in a chocolate making workshop. The young Master who gave us the workshop for 1h30 minutes is very professional and teaches you the technique step by step. The site is also housing a plantation where you can taste fresh cocoa. The young Master supervises, but the cocoa making is done by yourself: it was very interesting. In the end, you leave with your 100% pure cocoa chocolate. I should have come with a small reusable jar because I have already stopped using single use plastic. It was a nice surprise that this young man from the Village is fully supported by the Site Oveng, school, and training hotel and catering. If one wants to fight against the rural exodus, the education, social and professional insertion of  young people in activities generating income within their locality is important.
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Urbanity Culture, Art And Sustainable Tourism Development
14-10-2019
Throughout the history of human civilization, some countries enjoyed a dynamic economy due to the capability of their people. This achievement created a thriving economy in a society, whose people provided the necessary context for the growth and excellence using their culture and art. This could also lead to the continuity of the human civilization and society. Creating a cultural, artistic, and tourism center with an economic nature opens up new possibilities to people to respond to their social and cultural concerns, and brings about dynamism and hope for a brilliant future. Today, large numbers of tourists from all over the world travel to become familiar with various cultures and arts of nations of the world, and the creation of a market for the exchange of cultural and artistic goods of different nations will naturally be tempting and appealing.
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Think Sustainably - The Local Guide for Sustainable Helsinki
14-10-2019
City of Helsinki launches local sustainability programme in response to citizen concern about climate change. According to a survey carried out by the City of Helsinki in 2018, two thirds of residents identified the climate crisis as their major concern when thinking about the future of the city. In response, Helsinki has launched Think Sustainably, the world’s first online service that enables making sustainable choices as easy as using an app. The Think Sustainably empowers residents and visitors to make informed daily choices, rating the Finnish capital’s restaurants, attractions, shops and accommodation against bespoke sustainability criteria developed by Helsinki Marketing in collaboration with the independent think tank Demos Helsinki, local interest groups and sustainability experts. The service also includes a route planner feature that enables choosing emission-free transportation options to the wide variety of experiences on offer in the city. Cities house more than half of the world’s population and are responsible for over 70 per cent of the world’s energy-related carbon emissions (C40). The City of Helsinki recognises that cities are at the forefront of combating climate change and implementing innovative policies. The City is aware of the need of systemic change in habits and the programme is the latest initiative to support its 2035 carbon neutral target. In developing Think Sustainably, The City has recognised the unique role that cities play in creating solutions to enable change in everyday lifestyles to address the global climate crisis. The Think Sustainably digital service provides residents, visitors and business owners with practical tools to rethink their daily behaviour and make more sustainable lifestyle and business decisions. Currently gathering feedback from users, the Think Sustainably service is publicly available with plans to roll the programme out further and review its impact in 2020.
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Australia’s South West Tourism Observatory (ASWTO)
14-10-2019
The Australia’s South West Sustainable Tourism Observatory (ASWTO) is the first of its kind in Australia and will be hosted by the Tourism Research Cluster of Curtin University supporting the formulation and implementation of sustainable tourism policies, strategies and management processes through continuous and systematic measurement of sustainability indicators. The observatory is supported by a committed group of public and private stakeholders and will start monitoring a set of 20 region-specific indicators covering 11 thematic areas, including: tourism seasonality, employment, energy-, water-, and solid waste management, economic benefits, governance, regional production cycles, inclusion and accessibility as well as landscape quality.
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Advancing Development in Zimbabwe: Tourism Vocational Training in Zimbabwe
10-10-2019
The overall objective of the project is to expand vocational training for the tourism sector with a view to enabling tourism employees and unemployed youth and women to make a career in the tourism sector.
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Making Sustainable Tourism a Key Driver for Biodiversity Conservation and Inclusive Development in Cross-Border Parks and Protected Areas of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC)
10-10-2019
The main objective of this project is to develop sustainable tourism in cross-border parks and rich biodiversity in protected areas in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and contribute to poverty eradication, job creation, environmental and cultural preservation.
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Advancing Sustainable Development Through Tourism: Regional Capacity-Building Programme in Tourism Statistics and Tourism Satellite Accounts
10-10-2019
The overall objective of this project is to strengthen national tourism statistical systems through regional capacity building workshops, in order to better understand the role of tourism in the national economy and contribute to evidence-based decisions in tourism policy, planning, and development.
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Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) Pioneering Use of the MST Methodology
10-10-2019
To build a statistical infrastructure for measuring the sustainability of tourism, and in particular its economic, social, and environmental dimensions, at national and subnational levels.
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Strengthening Governance through the development of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs)
10-10-2019
The overall objective is to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the destinations by building sustainable and effective DMOs that create a framework favourable towards inclusive tourism growth that benefits tourists and local communities alike.
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Becoming Leaders in Tourism Through UNWTO Executive Education courses
10-10-2019
The overall objective is to strengthen institutional knowledge on building a sustainable and responsible tourism sector, as well as on the role of tourism in the 2030 Agenda.
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Research on Tourism Education and Training
10-10-2019
The overall objective of this project is to increase the understanding of required changes in tourism education based on research on developments in the tourism sector and its needs.
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The UNWTO Tourism Education Fund
10-10-2019
The overall objective is to provide opportunities to future tourism leaders to enhance their capabilities and skills so that they are able to contribute to sustainable development through tourism.
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Increasing the Employability of Women and Youth through the Development of Curricular Content at the Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Leve
10-10-2019
The overall objective is to develop curricula in tourism that corresponds to the needs of the tourism sector and of the labour market and increase the employability of women and youth.
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UNWTO.TedQual: Quality assurance in Tourism Education & Training to foster employability
10-10-2019
The overall objective is to foster employment and employability in tourism, especially for women and youth
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Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building on Financing Tourism for the 2030 Agenda
10-10-2019
The overall objective of this project is to empower policy makers to leverage the role of tourism and its financing to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, and to secure more donor resources for tourism at the national and global levels.
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1st UNWTO Foreign Direct Investment Guidelines for Poverty Reduction and Job Creation Massachusetts Institute for Technology (MIT)
10-10-2019
The overall objective is to enhance public-private partnerships through FDI investment in tourism and contribute to poverty reduction and job creation.
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Doing While Advancing Peace and Development: Practical guidelines and Recommendations for Conflict-sensitive Tourism Practices in Post-conflict and Fragile States
10-10-2019
The overall objective is to create a tourism sector that is aware of its role in contributing to peace and conflict prevention in general and in post-conflict settings in particular.
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Enhancing economic growth through a Local Community Tourism Awareness Campaign in Jordan
10-10-2019
The overall objective of this project is to develop and implement a programme to raise awareness about tourism as an important sector of Jordan’s economy, with benefits that can accrue to the local population.
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Advancing Sustainable Development Through Tourism: Support in Building the National Brand of Tajikistan
10-10-2019
The main objective of the project is to advance sustainable development by providing support to the Government in the implementation, management and monitoring of its national tourism brand.
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Supporting local rural communities in the southern region of Yerevan, Armenia
10-10-2019
The project´s main objective is to leverage Armenia’s rural heritage into an engine of economic growth, helping to develop remote areas and boost the regional and national economy by empowering local communities.
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Circular Food for Sustainable Tourism in the Asia- Pacific Region
10-10-2019
The overall objective is to accelerate the necessary shift towards SCP through planning and strategy tools, including sustainable food solutions for corporate change across the value chain.
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Supporting Regional Development through Rural Tourism in Ukraine
10-10-2019
The project´s main objective is to leverage Ukraine´s rural heritage as an engine of economic growth, helping to fight rural depopulation and boost the regional and national economy by empowering local communities.
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Viengxay District Tourism Master Plan
10-10-2019
The overall objective is to create a sustainable tourism sector in Viengxay Town that provides decent jobs and contributes to socio-economic welfare, as well as to the preservation of cultural and natural assets.
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Boosting sustainable development in Mongolia through Tourism Promotion
10-10-2019
The overall objective of this project is to contribute to economic development through increased international tourism flows.
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Boosting Sustainable Development in Fiji through Tourism
10-10-2019
The overall objective of this project is to boost the economy and drive social development of Fiji through a Sustainable Tourism Development Policy.
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TuMoDeLo: Turismo – Motor de Desarrollo Local in Costa Rica (Tourism – Engine for Local Development)
10-10-2019
The overall objective of this project is to improve the lives of farming communities in Costa Rica by consolidating a public-private partnership that connects the tourism and agriculture sectors for the implementation of sustainable procurement practices.
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08-10-2019
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Teaching and educating about the principles of Sustainable travel and tourism in Cameroon.
08-10-2019
As a new Community Ambassador for the Communities SGDs Ambassador Sustainability Objectives of the Youth Kmer Volunteers for SDGs program, throughout this year I will continue to teach and educate on the principles and tips of sustainable tourism. This tourism creates sustainable jobs in the community, respects the local culture and respects the environment. Obviously help, invest, work in synergy with other groups of young people to make a better Cameroon, a Cameroon where no one is left behind. The more I traveled, I realized I can not just travel without learning. I started to be a tourist and more I started to enjoy learning I started to enjoy sharing my travels journeys AS A CAMEROONIAN TRAVELER IN CAMEROON! I started to get involved I was doing while while traveling. To respect local cultures To protect the environment by going almost zero waste each time By teaching my travels After 5 years of local tourism with 3 included on sustainable tourism, 1 year as active contributor I have been selected as a SDGs Community Ambassador. So the initiative is to build a Community of responsible and sustainable travellers who will help the Government implement strategies to build a strong and sustainable tourism industry in Cameroon.
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Tourism and Trade for Development in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda
07-10-2019
The main objective of the project is to support inclusive tourism development and thereby help maximize the contribution of trade in services to development, job creation, and achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Contributing to sustainable development through tourism: the implementation of a national hotel classification system in Tunisia
07-10-2019
The overall objective is to enhance the tourism sector in Tunisia through a hotel classification system that contributes to economic growth, decent jobs, and well-being.
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Advancing development through tourism: strengthening the system of tourism statistics and development of a tourism satellite account in Cameroon
07-10-2019
The overall objective of this project is to strengthen the national tourism statistical system to permit a better understanding of the role of tourism in the national economy and contribute to evidence-based decisions in tourism policy, planning, and development, with the aim of turning tourism into an engine for socio-economic development in Cameroon.
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Estefanya Gordillo Loyola
30-09-2019
This descriptive research involves the social construction of 4 SDGs and their goals based on the main representatives of the tourism industry in Ecuador. This study to understand the planning and actions taken by industry agents, opening a discussion on the challenges of sustainable tourism in Ecuador to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
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CURSO DE TURISMO SOSTENIBLE Y DESARROLLO LOCAL EN ÁREAS RURALES
25-09-2019
El curso está basado en el concepto del turismo como motor para la creación de actividades económicas y de empleo decente en las áreas rurales. Se analizaran las claves necesarias para que el turismo pueda ser una alternativa socioeconómica sostenible, y cuáles son los elementos a tener en cuenta para diseñar una estrategia de desarrollo rural basada en el turismo. Durante la formación se combinarán presentaciones de expertos con visitas de estudio e intercambio de experiencias entre los participantes de diferentes paises.
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RED ROCKS COMMUNITY CONSERVATION CENTER
25-09-2019
Red Rocks community conservation center works with community livelihoods in biodiversity areas through research and projects that implement grassroot conservation of wildlife. We build community networks for conservation by the established summer institute. The community conservation center is based on the vision to create a sustainable business model in conservation work by creating eco-tourism schemes that focus on conservation based tourism. RESEARCH CENTER The research center is geared towards continued work that ensures we build sustainable business models for our environment and communities, we work to find sustainable solutions for the co-existence of our wildlife species alongside community people by improving the understanding of wildlife ecology, status and conservation requirements. Our activities involve developing practical solutions that mitigate wildlife-human conflict, environmental damage and climate change. SUMMER INSTITUTE The center’s summer Institute offers short-term opportunities to work on conservation and research projects through direct exposure to diverse wildlife plus also engaging students in the study and discussion of principles and best practices for sustainable conservation with hands-on experience. WILDLIFE PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION Our wildlife protection and conservation work comprises projects that are committed to the protection of the volcanoes endangered wildlife through conservation awareness and community engagement. We collaborate with communities to address a multitude of issues that impact people and wildlife
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The Green Wall
19-09-2019
The Green Wall was founded in 2019 by Acacia Sustainability to provide consumers with sustainable alternatives to products and services used every day. The Green Wall aims to empower everyday consumers with information about products and services that are being sold today to reduce consumers impact on the environment. We hope that this will help in the shift to a low carbon economy and increased the demand for sustainable products and services. By making the choice to stay in a hotel or resort that has been certified by an eco-label such as Green Globe, Green Key, Travelife or EarthCheck, you are choosing accommodation that have taken steps to achieve several SGD’s. Hotels and resorts that have received an eco-label have taken steps to achieving several SDG’s. Green Globe for example identified three key goals that relate to sustainable tourism and are built into their more than 40 sustainability criteria to receive certification: Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production; and Goal 14: Life below water. To search for hotels and resorts that have achieved an eco-label certification, visit The Green Wall’s Hotels & Resorts page.
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Giving back - Social and Responsible Tourism
19-09-2019
Impacto social a comunidades necesitadas, apoyando a micro empresarios locales por medio del comercio justo, voluntariado y donaciones a programas de desarrollo local por medio del turismo socialmente responsable. Ofrecer a un grupo selecto de viajeros la oportunidad de impactar positivamente a las comunidades locales, quienes tienen el deseo de ayudar y contribuir a la desigualdad en el mundo, con su tiempo y recursos. We support local communities through social and responsible tourism programmes, involving local artisans and entrepreneurs. We provide  high-end customers and luxury travellers the opportunity to give back to Guatemalan communities, working together with NGOs supporting with donations, volunteering and fair trade.
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Contributing to the carbon neutrality of travelers visiting Mauritius.
19-09-2019
Mauritius Conscious Travel achieves a sustainable milestone. Mauritius Conscious Travel, a sustainable travel agency in collaboration with AERA Group, the pioneer of carbon finance in Africa, contributes to the carbon neutrality of travellers visiting Mauritius. Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Mauritius Conscious Travel has achieved its 1st carbon offset transaction by compensating 79 tons of CO2 emissions. The monetized carbon credits collected by the travel agency are destined, through AERA, to the 1st solar photovoltaic project in Mauritius: La Ferme Bambous. In their efforts to reduce the CO2 produced by their trips, Mauritius Conscious offers tailor-made packages including eco-friendly accommodations, use of public transportation and non-motorized activities for positive impact including clean-ups in nature, reforestation efforts and bio-agriculture workshops in collaboration with local NGOs. Romina Tello, CEO of Mauritius Conscious Travel highlights ‘Limiting the negative aspects of tourism is no longer enough. Today, tourism needs to embrace restorative actions to benefit the places we visit.’
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Women Empowerment through Arts & Crafts
19-09-2019
Red Rocks initiatives for sustainable Development improvised ways to empower women so that they can become their own agents of positive change. Community arts and crafts projects made a positive contribution toward empowering Women to improve their wellbeing, enhance the sense of self and self and economical gains.
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National Dance Award with History 2020
17-09-2019
2° National Dance Award with History 2020, is an initiative imagined by the Society of Historical, Archaeological and Geographical Studies of Chile, in conjunction with the directors of the Oriental Dance Academy Najmah All Sahara. The event, after being included in 2019 in the list of international events that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has become the most important contest for rescue of the cultural heritage of Oriental Dance in Chile. With the main objective of stimulating creation in the field of historical research and geographical - historical analysis of oriental dance and tribal fusion in the continent, the meeting has been designed to educate the audience through dance and its interpretations with historical foundations, promoting good health and well-being through dance, with emphasis on social inclusion and gender equality. The contest, which hopes to bring together important representatives of the country and the American continent, will be held in the beautiful World Heritage City of Valparaíso; promoting tourism and the multicultural relationship. The alliance between the Dance Academy and the History Society, goes to show that both history and dance are made up of multiple aspects, beyond the technique or trajectory of those who represent them, in such a way that we have created a unique space for the multidisciplinary study of dance's history and its artistic interpretation. The event is sponsored by the Historical Bulletin (ISSN 0719-7802), a scientific journal that will publish all the reviews submitted to the contest.
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Día Mundial del Turismo
09-09-2019
En el marco de la Semana Mundial de Acción por los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible y en el Primer Festival de Acción por los ODS Costa Rica 2019, estaremos celebrando el Día Mundial del Turismo, con la charla Turismo y empleo: un futuro mejor para todos. Esta actividad totalmente gratuita se realizará a las 9:00 am en el Auditorio de Administración Universitaria de la Universidad Técnica Nacional (Sede Central, Villa Bonita) Alajuela, Costa Rica.
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Travel4SDGs - #Interrail4SDGs
09-09-2019
I love traveling. I know a lot of people that too. Tourism grows and at the same time, tourismphobia does. Here, I want to share my ways of traveling in a sustainable way and to help local development with a social impact. Now I'm doing an interrail 4 SDGs, visiting different social projects, NGOs, co-working spaces, asylum seeker, social centers, squatting places,... If you know anyone I can visit, tell me, please! At the same time, I'm traveling with toys of different races, sexual orientations and wheelchairs to take photos for social inclusion. My name's Mari Trini. I'm 29 years old. I consider myself a citizen of the world. I'm a Multimedia Content Creator freelance. This interrail is the first trip of more than I hope come, 4SDGs! It's an interrail with a social conscience, since this trip has been a #MySocialRights photo prize from the European Commission. Specifically, "#MySocialEurope photo competition - How should the Future of social Europe look like?" organized by DG EMPL - DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. Trying to answer that same question ("How should the Future of social Europe look like?") and following the European Pillar of Social Rights structured around: equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions and social protection, I will continue taking photographs, while traveling through Europe with the Global Pass ticket. Now I'm looking for: - inspirational projects I can document, taking photos and / or making videos. - sponsors to help me with the budget and can buy some material as a drone, a 360 camera,...to can do the project more innovative, create better multimedia content and achieve a good dissemination.
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A Sustainable Hero Trail to discover the 17 SDGs.
30-08-2019
You learn about the 17 SDGs in a challenging trail. What are the SDGs? What do they each stand for? And above all what can you do to contribute to a better world for everyone? Hidrodoe is in 2019 one of the six SDG Voices in Belgium. For a whole year we tell and educate about the SDGs. Hidrodoe is a tourist attraction in Belgium. A interactive science center about water. This extra exhibition/trail is included in the normal admission price.
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Help the local economy while travelling
30-08-2019
.The story of this Kaba. For a cultural festival I needed traditional outfits. I could have taken some at home but the travel instructions came down the day before and were "travel light" Result i just take 1 that I wear before the big ceremony. The day before the official ceremony, I went to the market with my travel friend. Understand Nkongsamba is a shopping city. You will find everything. Absolutely everything. I bought and left 3 material at 11am at her cousin's. An amateur stylist I told her to have fun as its pleases her. At 17 am this outfit was ready. The other 2 ready the next day. What I like most about tourism is "leaving money on the spot", contributing to the local economy. Events like the Festival help boost the small and big business. Oh I also took a bag for my camera, it's the one hanging on my arm and that was very useful for 5 days :) Traveling is good Traveling useful is even better. # Tourism4Sdgs # SDGS8 #Cameroon #Cameroon #NKongsamba
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Panama City Tourism Observatory
27-08-2019
The Tourism Observatory of Panama City is the first of its kind in Panama. Established in 2018, the objective of the Observatory is to collect and organize timely and quality information for the planning of tourism in the country, supporting decision makers in the planning and strengthening of sustainable tourism in Panama. Leading the way in tourism data management, the Observatory will be leading the way for similar initiatives throughout the country, gathering valuable experiences for future expansions. With the purpose to increase also the public participation, especially from local communities, in development processes, the Observatory is hosted by the National Tourism Chamber of Panama and counts on the support of many different stakeholders in the destination.
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Aegean Islands Observatory
27-08-2019
Established by the University of the Aegean in collaboration with UNWTO and with the support of the Ministry of Tourism of Greece, the first Sustainable Tourism Observatory in Europe opened in the Aegan Islands, the main archipelago of Greece, in early 2013. The observatory has several physical sites, one in Rhodes for the South Aegean, another in Chios for the North Aegean, and one at the University of Aegean in Mytilene, on the island of Lesvos. The monitoring efforts focus on the environmental, social and economic impacts of tourism in the Aegean archipelago and seek to serve as a model to expand the concept to a national level. The monitoring and implementation of sustainable tourism practices are being realized in close cooperation with the tourism public and private sector in the area of the Aegean.
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Tourism Observatory of the City of Buenos Aires
27-08-2019
The Tourism Observatory of the City of Buenos Aires is a General Direction within the Buenos Aires Tourism Board, under the direct supervision of the President of the Buenos Aires Tourism Board. The Buenos Aires Tourism Board reports to the General Secretary of International Affairs, under the direct supervision of the Mayor of Buenos Aires, who is the Head of the government of the city. The mission of the Buenos Aires Tourism Observatory is to gather data and generate key information to guide the private and public sectors’ decision making process and to become global leaders in the production of strategic knowledge using Big Data and innovative research methods, thus strengthening tourism governance and taking effective data driven decisions in an ever-changing and competitive market.
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Antigua Guatemala Sustainable Tourism Observatory
27-08-2019
The Antigua Guatemala Sustainable Tourism Observatory is located in the city of La Antigua Guatemala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Observatory will periodically collect data and scientific evidence as it monitors the effect tourism has on the historic city. This data will then be used to assess how tourism can best be used to help drive sustainable growth and development.
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Navarre Tourism Observatory
27-08-2019
As first Tourism Observatory in Spain to join INSTO, the Navarre Tourism Observatory aims to be the reference site for stakeholders at all levels and to support them with Tourism Intelligence in the successful strengthening of tourism as a strategic activity for the region in a context of maximum sustainability. The Observatory is hosted by the Directorate of Tourism and Trade of the Government of Navarre and builds upon already established monitoring activities in the economic area, extending its efforts to a wider monitoring approach, including regular measurement of social and environmental impacts of the sector.
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South Tyrol Sustainable Tourism Observatory
27-08-2019
The South Tyrol Sustainable Tourism Observatory was established in 2018 and is aiming at continuously monitoring, evaluating and communicating on South Tyrol’s (i.e. the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen) tourism developments and the impacts they have. With the generated data in areas such as mobility, climate change, regional products and quality control, employment and many other topics, the Observatory will support awareness raising activities and decision-making processes of different stakeholders groups, serving the local community as think-tank that fosters communication, collaboration and evidence-based destination management.
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Alentejo Sustainable Tourism Observatory
27-08-2019
The Alentejo Sustainable Tourism Observatory was created through a partnership between Portugal Tourism, the Regional Tourism Board of Alentejo, the University of Évora, as well as both the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre and Santarém. ASTO is the first monitoring entity within a nation-wide observatory initiative launched by the Portugese Government in the framework of the 2027 Tourism Strategy. Monitoring areas include, among others: Community Participation, Tourism Seasonality, Competitiveness of Tourism Businesses, Water Availability and Conservation, Local Satisfaction With Tourism; Destination Economic Benefits; Employment.
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Toba Lake Tourism Observatory
27-08-2019
Hosted by the University of Sumatera Utara, the observatory monitors Pangururan in which there are 25 villages and 3 urban villages.
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Sanur Tourism Observatory
27-08-2019
Hosted by the Research Centre for Culture and Tourism of the Udayana University, the Observatory monitors Sanur tourism destination consisting of three villages which are Sanur Kauh Village, Sanur Village and Sanur Kaja Village.
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Sonoma County Sustainable Tourism Observatory
27-08-2019
The monitoring area of the Sonoma County Sustainable Tourism Observatory is strategically located 45 minutes North of the Golden Gate Bridge and the metropolitan areas of San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Thanks to the region's premier position as a wine destination, its proximity to major innovation hubs and its abundant variety of culinary and scenic attractions, the area attracts millions of visitors every year. The observatory is the first of its kind under the umbrella of the Coalition to Observe and Advance Sustainable Tourism (COAST), which aims to serve as an anchor for a possible network of Pacific Coast observatories, connecting key tourism destinations along the Pacific Coast of North America from San Francisco and the Channel Islands , stretching from San Francisco and the Channel Islands in the south to Vancouver and Victoria BC in the north. The observatory aims to share best practices which have been developed in the destination and learn from other member destinations of the INSTO network to advance its work, especially in the areas of water management, the impacts of agricultural-tourism growth, climate change responsiveness, the viable regeneration of essential public places, employment and local living opportunities, among others.
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Pangandaran Tourism Observatory
27-08-2019
Pangandaran is located on the southern coast of the island of Java and has become a popular tourist destination because of its famous surfing beach. Hosted by the Bandung Institute of Technology, the Observatory focuses on monitoring tourism impacts in the Batukaras Village, which is located in the Cijulang District of the Pangandaran Regency.
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Sleman Tourism Observatory
27-08-2019
Hosted by the Magister and Doctor Tourism Program of the Graduate School of Gadjah Mada University, the University the observatory seeks to foster an increased understanding of sustainable tourism development in the regency. The initial regional scope of the observatory focuses on the tourism village of Pulesari in Wonokerto, Turi district of Sleman, which is increasingly known for its potential of outdoor activities. The work of the observatory includes the assessment of the village as a destination for sustainable tourism and the analysis of current and possible tourism activities in that area.
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Lombok Tourism Observatory
27-08-2019
Hosted by the Faculty of Economics of Mataram University, the observatory monitors two destinations, namely Sesaot and Senggigi, both nature-based tourist destinations. While Sesaot is only in its initial phase of development and located within the island, Senggigi is - in comparison - more known due to its coastal character with beaches, housing already a small variety of different accommodations. For both destinations, it is the goal to qualify them as sustainable tourist destinations based on local involvement, creating positive impacts for all stakeholders.
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Croatian Sustainable Tourism Observatory
27-08-2019
The Croatian Sustainable Tourism Observatory (CROSTO) is hosted by the Institute for Tourism in Zagreb, which is responsible for monitoring sustainable tourism in the Adriatic Croatia. CROSTO advises local communities on minimizing possible negative impacts of tourism development and measures their economic benefits and energy, water and waste control. The country's commitment to sustainability has been emphasized in its Tourism Development Strategy 2020. The initiative aims at fostering innovation in the framework of sustainable tourism.
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The Tourism and Events Observatory of the City of São Paulo
27-08-2019
The Tourism and Events Observatory of the City of São Paulo (OTE) is a pioneer in data collection and analysis for the tourism in the State capital. Lead by the Department of Research and Market Intelligence of São Paulo Turismo, OTE was created in 2008 with the goal of analyzing the tourism behavior and the events segment in São Paulo.
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Guanajuato Tourism Observatory
27-08-2019
The Tourism Observatory of Guanajuato was created in 2008 and is an organization dedicated to permanently research, analyze, evaluate and consult about the performance of the tourism sector. It is monitoring tourism activity in the entire State of Guanajuato through an inter-sectoral and multidisciplinary approach that allows for measuring and monitoring tourism in various relevant aspects. It focusses its efforts especially on issues regarding governance, tourism demand, tourism services offer, infrastructure, local community benefits, tourist attractions and sustainability.
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Jiangmen Observatory
27-08-2019
The Jiangmen Observatory is the ninth observatory in China. Situated at the Pearl River Estuary and south of the South China Sea, Jiangmen has a permanent resident population of 4.51 million inhabitants.The monitoring efforts of the observatory focus especially on measuring the overall development of tourism, including local economic benefits, local satisfaction, employment, seasonality, water, sewage and waste water management, as well as the protection of the existing World Culture Heritage Sites in the destination.
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Xishuangbanna Observatory
27-08-2019
Xishuangbanna is an eco-tourism area rich in natural, historical and cultural resources which include folklore, tropical rain forests, rare plants and wildlife. An additional feature of Xishuangbanna is the composition of its population, with 13 ethnic groups besides the Han living in this region. The focus of the observatory lies on monitoring sustainability and indigenous groups, ensuring that tourism generates socio-economic benefits for the various communities.
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Changshu Observatory
27-08-2019
Changshu is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, and is part of the Yangtze River Delta. The city covers an area of 1276 square kilometers (including the Yangtze River water area). In Chinese county-level city, it is the first city owning the title of “National Garden City” and “International Garden City”. For the past 5 years, income from the tourism sector has increased on average by more than 20% on a yearly basis. Meanwhile, the number of visitor has risen by more than 10% yearly. The observatory focuses on two major themes: 'the development of the tourism industry in developed areas and enhancement of residents' quality of life and overall happiness' as well as 'the development and ecological conservation of the tourism industry in developed areas'.
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Henan Observatory
27-08-2019
The Henan Observatory is focusing on two cities within the Henan province, namely Luoyang and Jiaozuo. The province is situated in the central-eastern part of China on the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. It is one of the main birthplaces of Chinese Nation and Chinese Civilization, where cultural sites and natural landscapes coexist harmoniously. Overall, there are 4 ancient capitals within the province. Luoyang, capital during multiple dynasties, is home to Baima Si (White Horse Temple). Founded in the 1st century, it's among China’s first Buddhist temples. Nearby, the Longmen Grottoes have Buddhist rock carvings dating to the 5th century. Due to these attractions, tourism has become a core sector of Henan’s economy. The observatory's monitoring efforts include research regarding the socio-economic and environmental aspects of tourism development as well as the protection of historical relic and the tourism development around these sites.
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Kanas Observatory
27-08-2019
Bordering Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia, Kanas is a lake nature reserve in north-west China. The lake is located in a valley in the Altai Mountains, near the very northern tip of Xinjiang and the major tourism attraction in that part of the country. Due to its rural characteristic with its vast natural resources, the Kanas Observatory focuses its monitoring efforts especially on tourism in remote and border areas.
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Chengdu Observatory
27-08-2019
Chengdu is the fourth most populated city in mainland China and the capital of the Sichuan province and an important economic hub in western China. Chengdu's history dates back to at least the 4th century B.C., when it served as capital for the Shu Kingdom. The city is one of China’s most visited destinations, which is why the Chengdu Observatory is naturally focused on tourism and urbanization, along with post-disaster reconstruction.
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Zhangjiajie Observatory
27-08-2019
Zhangjiajie, a city in the northwest of China's Hunan province, is home to the famed Wulingyuan Scenic Area. This protected zone encompasses thousands of jagged quartzite sandstone columns, many of which rise over 200m, as well as caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites. The third observatory in China was established at the entrance of the National Park of Zhangjiajie in the Hunan province, China. The park is the first national forest park in China, receiving up to 40 000 visitors a day during high season. Tourism is the main sector in the area, and the focus of the Zhangjiajie Observatory is tourism for regional development.
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Huangshan Observatory
27-08-2019
A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of China’s major tourist destinations, Huangshan is a mountain range in the southern province of Anhui, famous for its unique granite peak scenery. Besides the scenic area around the site, the observatory focuses its efforts also on two villages, namely Xidi and Hongcun, which are located in Yi county, Huangshan City, and which are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These two villages are vivid illustrations of a type of human settlement created during a feudal period and based on a prosperous trading economy. The observatory monitoring these sites focuses especially on environmental and cultural heritage protection.
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Yangshuo Observatory
27-08-2019
Yangshuo is a county in the northeastern region of Guangxi, about 1.5h away from the city Guilin. The area is most famous for its dramatic karst mountain landscape and outdoor recreation. In 2006, the observatory which focuses on both Yangshuo and Guilin, was the first to be established, due to the fast rise in tourism in the region, and the growing importance of the sector to the area. Its focus lies especially on community participation and tourism impacts.
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UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories
27-08-2019
The UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) was created in 2004 with the main objective to support the continuous improvement of sustainability and resilience in the tourism sector through systematic, timely and regular monitoring of tourism performance and impact and to connect dedicated destinations in order to better understand destination-wide resource use and foster the responsible management of tourism. Through the systematic application of monitoring, evaluation and information management techniques, the initiative provides policy makers, planners, tourism managers and other relevant stakeholders with key tools to strengthen institutional capacities to support the formulation and implementation of sustainable tourism policies, strategies, plans and management processes.
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Waikato Tourism Monitoring Observatory
27-08-2019
The Waikato Tourism Monitoring Observatory is the first observatory to open in New Zealand and is hosted by the Waikato Management School of the University of Waikato. The Waikato Observatory seeks to support the strengthening of the world famous surfing town Raglan as a sustainable destination, while continuing to protect the unique landscapes and the biodiversity of Waitomo and its iconic tourist attraction the Waitomo Caves. The observatory focuses its monitoring efforts especially on crucial socio-cultural aspects such as ‘local and visitor satisfaction’, ‘destination economic benefits’, ‘tourism seasonality’ and ‘development control’. Over time, efforts will be extended, covering additional thematic areas related to waste management, housing issues, water supply and sewage management, among others.
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Summer School LeVERAGE: ICTs for Tourism Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism for preserving LiVing hERitAGE
27-08-2019
2019 Summer School of the UNESCO chair in ICT to develop and promote sustainable tourism in World Heritage Sites, established at USI - Università della Svizzera italiana (Lugano, Switzerland). The 2019 Summer School of the UNESCO chair takes place in Switzerland: the activities of the first two days (August 24th and 25th) are running within the 2019 edition of the MEM Summer Summit in Lugano, then the group is moving to Val Müstair, home to the Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The focus is on living heritage, which is living practices and expressions passed down from generation to generation and constantly recreated by communities in response to their environment, their relationship with nature and their history. The importance of living heritage is not the cultural manifestation itself but rather the wealth of knowledge and skills that is transmitted. Lectures, visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Biospheres reserves, hands-on exercises and a range of formal and informal activities will allow participants to understand how to leverage ICTs for a sustainbale tourism that is able to preserve and transmit living heritage.
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ComeMakeWeGo Ado-Awaye : Getting the community involved in their own development
26-08-2019
Getting the community involved in their own development is one of the reasons why I began ComeMakeWeGo Africa. We tell local communities; "Invest in what you have, with what you have, and watch how people would be eager to invest more in you. Flashback to some months ago, when we decided to focus on promoting AdoAwaye - an untapped destination in Nigeria with Africa's only recognized suspended lake, and one of the best hiking spots in Nigeria. We can remember how the community chiefs welcomed me, at first they thought I was bringing plenty of money from the government for them - but instead, we were evangelizing on how they should invest as little as they have to move the place forward before government or other people can show support. They complained about the lack of funds and we usually responded; "what funds do you really need when we have people among you with needed skills, and we can get basic materials from almost everywhere around your village.." Boom! They have understood us! and now, they have started investing In what they have with what they have. Now the people of AdoAwaye are saying; We dream of better Chalets, but now, we have one made of wood. We dream of better staircases, but now, we have one made of wood. We dream of bigger investments, but now, we are investing in ourselves. At ComeMakeWeGo, we believe in Sustainable Development; hence, we have ensured that; 1. All trees cut down to make the wooden stairs were replaced- #SDGs 12,13 & 15 2. We have kept a policy in place to adequately compensate the local laborers involved in the construction. - #SDGs 1, 2, 8.
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CAMEROONIAN TRAVELLERS PROMOTING LOCAL AND RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION
26-08-2019
THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL DINING ON A TRAVEL Tourism and local consumption. Whenever I travel, I always consume local menus. That's to say if I'm in the North, I obviously eat rice couscous with vegetables, rice porridge. ➡️If I am in Central-Southeast, I eat vegetables, freshwater fish and beef. In coastal areas I eat seafood and marine species. Obviously Grassfield obviously couscous and all the sauces that accompany. The only things I eat are not the forbidden menus in my own culture (snake, palm tree rat for example) and the species that are forbidden to hunt / protected. If I have never tasted a dish, I will find out, respect my host and his culture. Why? I realized that eating and buying locally grown seasonal foods was much better. FoodThe local food is part of the culture. And traveling means learning and respecting culture, preserving heritage. Experiencing the local culture is a big part of traveling and trying traditional food is largely related to this cultural experience. Traditional foods are part of the heritage of a country or region and are deeply rooted in the memory of the local population. Responsible production and consumption is the way to go, according to # SDG12 FoodLocal Food supports the community, helps create decent jobs and boosts economic growth in line with # SDG 8. Supporting the local community is a very important aspect of the trip. Choosing to have a coffee in a local café, a snack in a street meal or a lunch at a local restaurant is a simple way to become a socially responsible tourist. Eating in local places supports local businesses and the local economy, while creating connections between locals and travelers. Travelers who stay only a few days in the same place may think that there is not enough time to build relationships, but eating will be part of the local community's perception of tourists and sometimes even nationalities.
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Understanding Tourist Behaviors towards resources of a destination
25-08-2019
Creating micro videos of tourist behaviors towards resources of a state, Educational videos that create awareness of such behaviors and the regulations.
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Layag: Tourism and Hospitality Research Conference 2019
23-08-2019
In line with World Tourism Day, Lumina Foundation for Integral Human development through the Network of Professional Researchers and Educators and Lyceum of the Philippines University Batangas through the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management will host the first LAYAG whose aim is to gather academicians, researchers and industry partners to share their research output related to sustaibale tourism and contribute to the growing industry. For more information email us at layag.lumina@gmail.com
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Sustainable city discovery: fall in love with any city
22-08-2019
We started Secret City Trails for locals to fall in love with their own cities again. We developed our first riddle game in the centre of Amsterdam showing locals places they had no idea existed. Some spots are hiding in plain sight, others are truly hidden and only found by solving our riddles. After the positive feedback on our first game in Amsterdam, Kristina and I travelled to other cities we’d lived in and created discovery games there too. Initially we focused on targeting locals in new cities. But, we soon learned about the huge opportunity of marketing our games to travellers. Did you know that cities represent half of global international travel? Today we can stay with locals, book all our flights and accommodation online, but the way we discover cities has barely changed over the last 50+ years. The most popular way to discover - and learn about - a city is still large group walking tours. We’re both frequent travellers and we had grown bored with (free) group walking tours that started at fixed times, generally took us to a city’s main (crowded) sights, took place with too many people (you can’t hear the guide) and had to be pre-booked. Our city discovery games are made up of riddles which guide you from one place to the next. Along the way, as you solve the riddles by answering questions about your surroundings, you unlock stories about heritage, history, art and culture. All games are played via a web app and don’t require any downloads! It’s creative locals who follow our ‘playbook’ (guidelines) and create wicked adventures. In exchange for creating and maintaining their city games, they receive a share of the revenue of each game sold (thus we empower local entrepreneurs!) Not only has travel to cities has grown rapidly, there’s an increase in demand for more experiential and sustainable travel . We're excited to promote cultural heritage all over Europe, take more travellers off the beaten path and work with more locals across our region.
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Red Rocks Cultural Festival
20-08-2019
Since its inception, a few years back, the cultural tourism week has brought about positive gains to communities through its focus on bringing Tourism, Conservation and community for a sustainable development. The event brings community, conservation and tourism stakeholders together for sustainable development around the Volcanoes National Park. Through the cultural tourism week communities have a chance to exchange ideas and learn from one another how they can use their talents, culture, and other local tools for development through effective sustainable planning, maximizing social and economic benefits to locals, and reducing tourism’s negative impact to cultural and environmental heritages? During the event local community members will be happy to share their success stories concerning harnessing tourism as a means of socio-economic and sustainable development. Apart from celebrating viable conservation efforts that the local community has undertaken, attendants will also have the chance to meet different tourism and conservation players from a broad spectrum in the industry who will provide with significant details about the history of ecotourism around the Virunga massif, and the greater need to promote awareness of ecotourism concepts and approaches the government and private institutions have undertaken to encourage growth of ecotourism. Rwanda is a small country that prides itself in its rich and diversified cultural heritage. Passed from generation to generation, they include customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions and values among others, and often expressed as either tangible or intangible cultural heritage. Our community members will exhibit hands-on experience of how Red Rocks is keeping our cultural heritage alive. There will be a show of how local community benefits from tourism activities together with the ways we can preserve our pristine culture for the benefit of future generation. Visitors will participate in different cultu
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Asian Ecotourism Standard for Accommodations
20-08-2019
In response to the disbandment of the Japan Ecolodge Association, the GSTC recognized standard, Environmentally Sustainable Accommodations International Standard (ESAIS), has transferred all its rights to Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN) as the end of year 2017. The revision of the original standard took place within AEN to reflect 1) the changes made to comply with the updated GSTC Industry Criteria and 2) the Asian ecotourism contexts and deleted the Japanese contexts that were not relevant for other Asian countries. The shaded criteria comply with the GSTC-HTO standard. The adoption of the standard will help the nature-based lodges to achieve SDGs and collect relevant evidences. ​Rules to meet the standard: All criteria are encouraged to be used for all nature-based lodges and resorts regardless of the size. It can be used as a checklist. Depending on the country or geographical setting, some criteria are difficult to apply thus they are made as optional criteria. We will be setting the rules for ones that satisfy our standard in the form of recognition and/or awards with an opportunity for annual internal and periodic third party auditing. The details will be made available here on the website.
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Asian Ecotourism Standard for Accommodations
14-08-2019
In response to the disbandment of the Japan Ecolodge Association, the GSTC recognized standard, Environmentally Sustainable Accommodations International Standard (ESAIS), has transferred all its rights to Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN) as the end of year 2017. The revision of the original standard took place within AEN to reflect 1) the changes made to comply with the updated GSTC Industry Criteria and 2) the Asian ecotourism contexts and deleted the Japanese contexts that were not relevant for other Asian countries. The shaded criteria comply with the GSTC-HTO standard. The adoption of the standard will help the nature-based lodges to achieve SDGs and collect relevant evidences. ​Rules to meet the standard: All criteria are encouraged to be used for all nature-based lodges and resorts regardless of the size. It can be used as a checklist. Depending on the country or geographical setting, some criteria are difficult to apply thus they are made as optional criteria. We will be setting the rules for ones that satisfy our standard in the form of recognition and/or awards with an opportunity for annual internal and periodic third party auditing. The details will be made available here on the website.
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Volunteer World
13-08-2019
Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.
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ginexan
09-08-2019
ginexan
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RED ROCKS POTTERY WORKSHOP
08-08-2019
Pottery is more than an activity in Rwanda, but it is a way of expressing our cultural values and telling our story through imagination, creativity and skill. The beauty of the end product shows who we are. Telling our story and living the story are two different things. This is why on 21st of July 2019, we organized a pottery workshop at the Red Rocks Campsite and welcomed participants from all walks life to experience the story of Rwanda people of the Northern Province of Musanze through pottery.Working side by side with the community, our visitors were provided with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the traditional Rwandese methods of ceramic production. As a sustainable tourism organization, we seek to create transformation from our travel experiences and provide deeper connections between cultures. Our visitors had to get their hands dirty. They had to form that bond and learn from the people by practically participating in the local activities. This is what makes our programs unique. All the pieces made during the workshop were produced by our visitors and artisans from the community. The workshop had some benefits for both the community and visiting tourists; it was a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day at work. Those who attended met new people, and created new bonds while working in a creative and tranquil environment.
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capacity building form sustainable tourism in rural areas with different stakeholders perspective
05-08-2019
The respct of local community and convresation of environment
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Travellers 237 with no plastic
26-07-2019
As a traveller, we need to practice a more sustainable way to follow our journey . As such, decision was made to stop using plastic single use bottles when travelling in Cameroon. Reusable bottles are a solution to be me responsible travellers.
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Jawhartourism
25-07-2019
My self vaibhav from jawhar maharashtra india fron tribal area and working from last three years to genrate local environment through tourism to stop migration of local tribal people in nearby cities. Www.jawhartourism.com +919226872187 +917720092187
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Red Rocks Education Initiatives for Sustainable Development
22-07-2019
The above statement is the premise behind establishment of Red Rocks Kindergarten in Nyakinama village, Musanze district, where 150 children between the age of three and five years now enrolled to receive early childhood education. Most of the children come from vulnerable families in this tourism rich district. The children are provided holistic education and we initiated this program to provide the best care for these young kids from poor rural families who otherwise would not have had access to early intervention in education at this young age due to their family backgrounds. The early years of life are critical for a child’s growth and development. Kids who are well nurtured, instructed and cared for during their earliest years in a family and social environment are more likely to grow physically and mentally healthy, develop language, thinking, social and emotional skills and achieve their full potential when they become adults. The establishment of the kindergarten is part of Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development’s efforts to integrate tourism, conservation and community development around the Volcanoes National Parks, their parents have been actively involved in income generating activities like making of traditional handcrafts they sell to tourists to uplift their living standards. We realized that apart from helping their parents to market their skills and products, their children also needed an early good start in life and this is how the idea of the kindergarten was born. With support of donors and well-wishers, we also purchase them scholastic materials they need so that they can have the best education possible at their early age. We teach the children positive values and Rwandan culture so that they can be agents to push forward the country’s rich cultural heritage and also involve them in bible studies to instill discipline in them at early age. Our government has made positive strides in provision of education, but still there are some
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Taketombo Corp. - Social Innovation Design Enterprise
22-07-2019
TAKETOMBO instigates social innovation activation in rural craft towns of Japan. The hype generated for 2020 Tokyo Olympic, and Japan's government's new target to drive tourist growth from 20 to 40 million in-bound visitors by 2020, and 60 million by 2060 maybe driving economic growth for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. It is also creating negative impact to these major locations: local residential lives disruption, trash, traffic, pollution ...etc. It is also accelerating rural-to-urban migration. Overall population with age over 65 is at record high of 28%. (World Economic Forum (4/2019). Some rural towns are seeing as high as 32-35%. Simulation also shows hundreds of regional municipalities may disappear in 40-50 years. Consolidation of shrinking municipalities are also destroying their history and cultural identities (as towns assume new names with little to no relevancy to town history). OPPORTUNITY - Leverage explosive tourist growth and trending experiential tourism & eco-tourism development. - Leverage No.1 Competitive Advantage of Japan: Artisanship & Diligence - Diversification - Create a new sustainable practice that stimulate economy growth of declining towns. CREATIVE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY - RESILIENCE COMMUNITIES - ECONOMIC GROWTH (1) Divert investments and draw attention from overcrowding Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka (2) Leverage foreign interests to create aspiration for new generation rural lifestyle for the locals. (3) Leverage global creative ideas and Japan artisanship to create new functional objects or art objects. Open new market and business channel. (4) Protect and sustain craft legacies. (5) Activate declining rural towns. Bring new traffic to towns through quality experiential tourism and cultural exchange, one town at a time. (6) Bring awareness to Cultural Sustainability. (7) Renew legacy craft town "brands".
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KitManif
17-07-2019
KITmanif, an interactive and dynamic platform, proposes to event organizers to move towards sustainable development by including this component in the organization stages of the event. The organizers of small or large events will not only be able to consult the given information, but also to create their personalized "kit" free of charge, according to the profile of their event, in order to archive tips, procedures, practical tools, as well as the references of local providers that they can share with the various members of their committee. In short, a complete and "tailor-made" kit to facilitate the success of sports and cultural events, reaching towards sustainability. "KITmanif" is fully in line with the sustainability objectives of the 2030 Agenda.
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Architecture and tourism. Academic participation.
16-07-2019
A project of teaching innovation in the university, Instituto Superior de Arquitectura y Diseño de Chihuahua ISAD (Higher Institute of Architecture and Design of Chihuahua). Through the creation of a new subject that makes the future architect's laboral perspectives bigger by the union of tourism, heritage, and architecture. Looking at the national social and political reality. Architecture is one of the main subjects for tourism, nevertheless is rare to find interest in tourism inside architecture degree programs. It´s because of that, this project is important and necessary for the development of both knowledge sciences, tourism, and architecture. Always with the sustainable principles present. --- Background It is intended primarily to reinforce four competencies derived from the WORLD CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION - Higher Education in the Twenty-First Century - Vision and Action. 9 October 1998 1. Interdisciplinarity. 2. Scientific investigation. 3. Specific objectives. 4. Social trends. STUDY APPROACHES Interdisciplinary focus. Scientific. Method. Participation in existing programs Study case: The touristic program Pueblos Mágicos (Magic towns). Architecture, sustainability, and tourism in Chihuahua, Mexico. The students will analyze the touristic program "Pueblos Mágicos" and make architecture and urbanism projects under sustainable aspects.
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16-07-2019

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Lausanne Montreux Congress
09-07-2019
Our vision is to become a leading global sustainable destination and use the power of events and meetings to further catalyse the sustainable development of our region for the benefit of our visitors, clients and citizens.
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Jornadas Internacionales de Turismo, Educación y Ciudadanía
05-07-2019
Docentes pertenecientes a las carreras de Tecnicatura y Licenciatura en Turismo, y del Instituto de Educación y Ciudadanía de la Unidad Académica Río Turbio, dependiente de la Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral, presentan las Jornadas de Turismo, Educación y Ciudadanía; tomando como eje principal Turismo para la educación y educación para el turismo: potenciando el desarrollo de la comunidad. Con el fin de comprender, estimular, fomentar y difundir los beneficios que ofrece la educación, relacionada con el turismo, hacia la comunidad y potenciales visitantes; se promoverá el intercambio de experiencias y conocimientos para que sean aplicados local y regionalmente. Se buscará generar un marco propicio para la presentación de trabajos y estudios, por medio de la promoción sobre el rescate y puesta en valor del patrimonio cultural tangible e intangible de una región, fortaleciendo la interculturalidad en la educación, fomentando la potenciación de nuevas oportunidades de desarrollo y sustentabilidad del turismo y los beneficios que este conlleva. El desarrollo de estas jornadas busca crear un punto de encuentro para propiciar sinergias que logren un desarrollo local armónico y sustentable, estimulando el intercambio de conocimientos y experiencias que enriquezcan la calidad de vida de las comunidades en un evento participativo y dinámico. TEMÁTICAS Se invita a profesionales, investigadores, representantes de organismos oficiales, gestores del turismo, estudiantes avanzados o interesados a presentar trabajos referidos a los temas referidos a continuación. Para ello se han definido los siguientes ejes: TEMA 1: El turismo como herramienta educativa para la ciudadanía TEMA 2: Turismo en ámbitos externos a las instituciones educativas TEMA 3: Políticas Públicas, estado y gobierno TEMA 4: Turismo, Educación y Sociedad
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Alliances for Action: One Product. One Chef. One Origin
02-07-2019
Overall Objective The overall objective of the project is to work with farmers and micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries and to connect them with top chefs, buyers, consumers and influencers alike in the food and tourism industries to generate value-added markets using native ingredients. This will be done through an innovative, inclusive and responsible business model that ensures quality, promotes the uniqueness of healthy food products, and generates inclusive impact and better income generation opportunities for farmers.
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EAST AFRICA TOURISM EXPO
28-06-2019
The East Africa Tourism Expo, is the region’s biggest travel show that brings together stakeholders in the tourism sector including high-value target consumers and destination sellers, travel service providers under one roof in a world-class setting. The event will be held in Uganda, between November 14th – 17th, 2019, under the Theme;"Enhancing Tourism as Engine for Social and Economic Transformation" at Kololo Independence Grounds, Kampala Uganda The opportunity that EATE provides is networking with like minded organizations operating in the Tourism sector is second to none. It is our ambition to provide you with the opportunity to showcase your products and services, share experiences, listen to new ideas and discuss emerging issues with your colleagues from all over the world during the Expo.
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Evaluation Platform of Sustainability for Global Systems
25-06-2019
This service provides several functions to monitor our socio-economic status based on a vast amount of data collected from multi-dimensions.
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Katú: Sustainable Gastronomy in Alajuela - Costa Rica
19-06-2019
Sustainable Gastronomy Day emphasizes the need to focus the world’s attention on the role that sustainable gastronomy can play. It also reaffirms that all cultures and civilizations are contributors and crucial enablers of sustainable development. The set of dishes and culinary uses of a particular place is one more expression of the natural and cultural diversity of the planet. Chef Cristian Morera Leiva is very clear about the concept of sustainable gastronomy, in his restaurant Katú he combines the legacy of the Costa Rican indigenous culture, the local economic development, as well as the protection of the environment. We went to visit him for tasting the delicious menu, we also knew the details that make this restaurant an example on sustainability to follow:
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TOURISM AND TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT 2020
19-06-2019
TOURISM AND TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT 2020. THEME>>>THE FUTURE FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM IN AFRICA BIOMETRICS>>> ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE>>>DATA Brandworld Media in partnership with Technology Mirror is proud to present the 2nd edition of the TOURISM AND TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT with the theme THE FUTURE FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM IN AFRICA.>>>BIOMETRICS . ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE . BIG DATA. The future of travel is technology-based, so tourism jobs will require both technical and advanced soft skills used to effectively implement and manage smart initiatives. The greatest societal impact of digital transformation in tourism may be the effect on the sector’s workforce, which directly and indirectly represents 1 in every 10 jobs worldwide. Like in other economic sectors, intelligent automation will change the nature of some travel jobs and eradicate others altogether. However, digitally-enabled growth will also generate new employment opportunities that could outpace the automation of existing roles, especially as strong growth is forecast for the sector. Tourism and Technology Summit is a project driven by a vision to disrupt the Tourism industry in Africa through Technology.It works with the public & private sector to drive the growth & development of the industry through: • Emerging technology driven by innovations • Sector inspiring policies that enhance growth & development • Thoughtful stakeholders’ engagement. • The exposure of players to knowledge on global best practices that engender quality services. Under SDGS 17 PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS, the summit aims to focus on how Technology can deliver smart solutions to enable and grow the Tourism industry in Africa.
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Agroturismo Urbano
18-06-2019
Trabajo de grado Las huertas urbanas como elemento impulsor del agroturismo en Bogotá, el trabajo se realiza en Colombia-Bogotá, se trabaja con dos casos en particular ubicados en la zona urbana, se establecen objetivos metodologia y alcances de la investigación, en este trabajo participarón Angela Camila Pela, Oscar Alejandro Navarrete y Andres Perez Cortes de la Universidad Publica Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca, en este sentido se explicaran algunos resultados y detalles especiales del trabajo. en este trabajo se analizaron los elementos de las huertas que constituían beneficios para el sector turístico y recíprocamente, como el sector ayudaba a las comunidades que desarrollaban la agricultura dentro de la urbe, se evidenciaron elementos potenciales para consolidar las huertas como un insumo turístico, y así mismo, se estudiaron las ruralidades que se daban dentro de la urbe, y como se creaban dicotomias de los conceptos de turismo y ruralidad, y especialmente de urbano y agroturismo. En este sentido, el trabajo visualizo ODS específicos como la seguridad alimentaria, que responde al hambre cero, creación de empleo, disminución de la pobraza a travez de la inclusión de propuestas innovadoras y el consumo y la producción responsable.
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Social innovation & Creative Entrepreneur
17-06-2019
BEING A CHANGEMAKER When most are obsessed with traveling to Tokyo and Kyoto, I took on the challenge to disperse and divert. Behind the bling and glam of metropolitan Tokyo and temples and geisha in Kyoto, there is a different side of Japan that deserves much more attention.
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Social innovation & Creative Entrepreneur
17-06-2019
BEING A CHANGEMAKER When most are obsessed with traveling to Tokyo and Kyoto, I took on the challenge to disperse and divert. Behind the bling and glam of metropolitan Tokyo and temples and geisha in Kyoto, there is a different side of Japan that deserves much more attention.
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Social innovation & Creative Entrepreneur
17-06-2019
BEING A CHANGEMAKER When most are obsessed with traveling to Tokyo and Kyoto, I took on the challenge to disperse and divert. Behind the bling and glam of metropolitan Tokyo and temples and geisha in Kyoto, there is a different side of Japan that deserves much more attention.
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Architecture and tourism. Academic participation.
17-06-2019
A project of teaching innovation in the university, Instituto Superior de Arquitectura y Diseño de Chihuahua ISAD (Higher Institute of Architecture and Design of Chihuahua). Through the creation of a new subject that makes the future architect's laboral perspectives bigger by the union of tourism, heritage, and architecture. Looking at the national social and political reality. Architecture is one of the main subjects for tourism, nevertheless is rare to find interest in tourism inside architecture degree programs. It´s because of that, this project is important and necessary for the development of both knowledge sciences, tourism, and architecture. Always with the sustainable principles present. --- Background It is intended primarily to reinforce four competencies derived from the WORLD CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION - Higher Education in the Twenty-First Century - Vision and Action. 9 October 1998 1. Interdisciplinarity. 2. Scientific investigation. 3. Specific objectives. 4. Social trends. STUDY APPROACHES Interdisciplinary focus. Scientific. Method. Participation in existing programs Study case: The touristic program Pueblos Mágicos (Magic towns). Architecture, sustainability, and tourism in Chihuahua, Mexico. The students will analyze the touristic program "Pueblos Mágicos" and make architecture and urbanism projects under sustainable aspects.
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Level of Satisfaction of the Customers in terms of Service Quality of Real Eagle Restaurant, South Forbes Golf and Country Club, Silang, Cavite
17-06-2019
This study assesses the level of satisfaction of Filipino respondents on the quality service of Real Eagle Restaurant, South Forbes Golf and Country Club in Silang, Cavite. The reason for this topic is primarily because the researchers aim to contribute to existing literature pertaining to service and food quality. Additionally, the researchers seek to deliver a more exhaustive paradigm that fully explains customer satisfaction. In this way, it makes a way for the creation of effective and appropriate marketing strategies that not only benefit the researchers and/or the Lasallian community, but also the restaurant itself. The level of satisfaction is measured based on the dimensions included in the SERVQUAL model developed by Parasuraman and Berry in 1985 namely, reliability, assurance, tangibility, empathy, and responsiveness. This research is quantitative in nature which makes the dissemination of survey questionnaires the most suitable way to obtain the required data. A total of 45 respondents were gathered through convenience sampling. This study also follows a descriptive correlational design that allows researchers to utilize descriptive statistics, while also figuring out whether or not there is a relationship between reliability, assurance, tangibles, empathy, responsiveness, and customer satisfaction. Results of this study were verified statistically using the ANOVA table, while taking into consideration the average means of the each dimension of service quality. Findings reveal that Real Eagle Restaurant’s service quality is Very Satisfactory according to the respondents and each dimension of SERVQUAL model, it has exhibited high levels of service quality with very minimal improvements to be implemented. The researchers were able to create an employee development program, as well as a customer satisfaction program that seek to address the recurring and common problems that were identified in the process.
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RED ROCKS VOLUNTEERISM PROJECTS
17-06-2019
Our volunteerism projects allow enjoying the sights and sounds of Rwanda while at the same time making a difference to the host community. This is an excellent way to get the most out of your holiday in Rwanda, and spend some time with us making a difference to the hosts and the environment. There are so many remarkable, charitable projects that Red Rocks initiatives are involved in, both conservation and community led which our clients can visit and be a part of – from clinics, to schools, to hospitals, to self-improvement, to conservation projects. When you travel and give your skills and your time it makes us feel better, not only about ourselves, but also about the potential difference that you are making in the world. It makes us feel part of something bigger than just us … alive. Become a part of ongoing efforts to support sustainable development while exploring Rwanda and its culture. BRIEF INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHAT WE DO Red rocks initiatives believes that benefits of the local people need to, come from what they own or what has been initiated benefit in order to value them. We provides a multitude of benefits to surrounding communities including establishing mechanisms where local people can engage with the tourist and ensure their interests are considered in management decisions. Local environmental education programmes are established to promote understanding among the local population of the need to conserve natural resources and use them sustain-ably. Where possible, we also engage with development organizations to provide social welfare services around our initiatives area particularly in the fields of education and health.
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Baúl del Turismo
17-06-2019
El Baúl del Turismo tiene su origen en la necesidad de contar con un espacio especializado en información académica de turismo, es común que al implementar procesos de investigación en el campo o por tarea nos enfrentamos a la búsqueda exhaustiva de información que si existe en la web, pero que se encuentra dispersa en cientos de páginas, lo que toma mucho tiempo valioso únicamente en identificar estas fuentes. Esto motivo la creación de un espacio donde se pueda acceder a textos, podcast, videos y de más información técnica de manera gratuita, la misma información que se encuentra en la web pero en un solo lugar. De esta manera, basados en el principio de democratización del conocimiento el Baúl del Turismo busca compartir información a todos los interesados en la actividad turística, ya sea por motivos académico, profesionales o interés en general. Buscamos que el Baúl siga creciendo, teniendo como visión convertirse en una verdadera plataforma del conocimiento, al momento contamos ya con más de 100 libros de descarga gratuita en su mayoría enviados por sus propios autores y tenemos más de 3.000 seguidores en toda Latinoamérica, sin embargo es necesario contar con el apoyo de nuestros seguidores ya que realmente somos todos los que construimos este Baúl del conocimiento.
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OLD HOKURIKU BANK BUILDING A Historic Preservation & Cultural Education Initiative - Nanto City, Japan
17-06-2019
TAKETOMBO is a social innovation venture dedicated in instigating social innovative activation to promote cultural sustainability, and divert attention and investment in aging and declining rural towns outside of glamorous Tokyo and Kyoto. Aging population and rapid decline in rural population resulted in abandoned property and under-utilized public facilities. Up-keeping a 90-year old building (the ex-Hokuriku Bank) has become a financial burden for the local government. Aging structure that lacks seismic reinforcement also poses life-safety concern. Nanto City government's plan is to sell the property for private ownership. If no suitable bid received, the building will be demolished. In December 2018, Taketombo proposed to Mayor of Nanto City in bringing in overseas design work group to conducting feasibility and design research. Mr. Mayor Tanaka immediately agreed to postpone public bidding to allow concerning groups to conduct due diligence, the public can also hold proper hearing to collect feedback and reach a consensus in 2019. ​ However, the Government will cease ownership of the building by the end of 2019, and Inami Art Association will lose its museum space. If there is no undertaking of the building (retrofitting, renovation, management), demolition is still possible. This is a grass-root / community-driven / educational initiative in exploring ways to protect and preserve cultural assets for historic town with social and economic challenges. A design study group from Department of Interior Architecture specializing in Architecture Adaptive Reuse (Master of Design) is invited as the partner in the Inami design-study initiative. Visiting group will conduct qualitative to quantitative research, deep dive into unique cultural and social aspect of Inami, and propose design interventions to built environment as part of the due diligence; and to promote good design practice through adaptive reuse.
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Wen
15-06-2019
Cambodia Tourism
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Wen
15-06-2019
Cambodia Tourism
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African Sports Tourism Week
13-06-2019
African Sports Tourism Week is the sports travel market event where stakeholders from both sports and tourism landscapes cross-fertilize ideas and exchange a hand of fellowship towards maximizing the opportunities in sporting events/holiday, with the sole goal of arriving at an Africa that consciously approaches sports as tourism.
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The 3rd Philippine Research Conference on Tourism and Hospitality
13-06-2019
Ensuring inclusivity in tourism and hospitality is the overarching theme of the Philippine Research Conference in Tourism and Hospitality (PRCTH). Running on its third year, the conference is aimed at presenting inclusivity which traverses issues along the value chain of sustainable tourism from integrated destination planning and operations to technology systems of products and services that create impacts on the value of tourism and hospitality. Memberes of the Academia- faculty and students alike (graduate and undergraduate), the Local Government Units, and Industry Practictioners are envisaged to participate in the conference.
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CULTURAL TOURISM WEEK 2019
23-05-2019
The annual Cultural Tourism Week at Red Rocks in Musanze is back and in its seventh year running, the Cultural Tourism week is a forum through which Rwandans reflect on the gains made in conservation efforts and also showcase and partake in the country’s rich cultural heritage. The event typically attracts conservationists, government and local leaders, community members, tourism industry players and policy makers, as well civil society organizations, creating abundant networking opportunities. The activities kick off on 31st August and close with the Cultural tourism week after party on the evening 06th september 2019 , there will be a local display of events and products that reflect the country’s art of conservation for cultural heritage and this will run alongside discussion dialogue and conversations on wild life and nature protection.
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International Institute for Peace through Tourism, Iran Chapter
22-05-2019
After many months of preparation, on April 18th was held the First IIPT Iranian Working at the headquarters of the company “Miniature Group” in Tehran. With this meeting Fabio Carbone, lecturer and researcher in Heritage, Tourism and Intercultural Dialogue, IIPT Ambassador-at-Large and Special Envoy for Iran, officially launched the challenge of creating an Iranian Chapter of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT). The meeting was attended by over 50 people came from all over Iran, representatives of different sectors of Iranian tourism industry (public, private, non-governmental and academic). Mostafa Khoshabi (Miniature Group) did the honours, as host who from the very beginning is supporting the project on the field, together with Sassan Ghassemi. Fabio Carbone, IIPT ambassador at large and special envoy for Iran, had finally his speech. He presented the IIPT in detail and then presented the idea of ​​creating an IIPT Iran Chapter. In particular, with his passionate speech Fabio Carbone highlighted the immediate and long-term benefits of an approach to tourism development in Iran based not only on economic profit, but also and above all on the socio-cultural development and the promotion, through the tourist activity, of the intercultural dialogue for the construction of peace. Industry, academics, representative of the government and civil society joined the meeting. The “Tehran Agreement on the creation of the IIPT Iran Chapter” is the document produced in the end of the working meeting. We can now officially say the Iranian tourism industry got committed to the SDGs, specifically the SDG #16 by embracing the IIPT principles and get engaged with the creation of the IIPT Iran Chapter.
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Ekôa Park: Parque Ecológico
22-05-2019
O Ekôa Park é um paraíso ecológico dentro da maior área contínua remanescente de Mata Atlântica, que encanta e inspira por meio de experiências únicas e transformadoras, conectando você com a sua natureza. Localizado em Morretes, na região litorânea do Paraná, ocupamos uma área privilegiada destinada ao lazer, entretenimento, educação ambiental e desenvolvimento profissional. O parque foi criado a partir da necessidade de proteger e preservar uma reserva de 238 hectares de Floresta Atlântica. Infelizmente, ainda é comum áreas protegidas por lei, mas sob a tutela privada, sofrerem com desmatamento irregular, invasão de posseiros, caçadores, palmiteiros entre outras ameaças. Acreditando no poder da transformação, o empreendimento foi idealizado para mudar esse cenário, agindo como um catalisador de novas oportunidades e disseminador de conhecimento. Nossa missão é ensinar por meio da natureza, encantando e sensibilizando nossos visitantes para promover a conservação do patrimônio natural e da biodiversidade. O Ekôa é aberto ao público aos sábados, domingos e feriados para “day use” – e também recebemos grupos fechados de escolas e empresas para atividades imersivas ao longo da semana.
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Celebration of Crete's Biodiversity, Historic Food and Wine Routes
22-05-2019
Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries Educational Network Open Seminars June 24-29, 2019 or September 23-28, 2019 5-Day Seminar in Crete, Greece: Celebration of Crete's Biodiversity and Historic Food and Wine Routes. Explore Crete's magnificent countryside and historic sites with resident specialists. Enjoy botanical hikes, visits to organic farms, olive groves and wineries. Savor traditional cuisine in tranquil villages. Adventures and classes include: Botany-biodiversity, archaeology, agroecology, heirloom seed saving, Minoan cooking techniques, cultural-culinary heritage preservation initiatives, traditional and modern Cretan cuisine, herbal medicine, and our silk road-spice route history. This program is designed for researchers and enthusiasts of cultural-natural heritage protection and responsible travel. Our presentations are private, tailored for our small group. Accommodation is in a traditional village in lovingly restored family-owned lodges. Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries “School without Walls,” was founded in 1997 by Nikki Rose, a Greek American journalist, seminar director and professional chef living in Crete. The mission of CCS is to help provide tangible support to residents working on action programs to protect their cultural and natural heritage. The CCS Network of over 50 resident specialists organizes dynamic accredited academic study tours, and seminars for culture-nature enthusiasts. Rose is author of "Crete: The Roots of the Mediterranean Diet." CCS is an award-winning program for best practices in Responsible Travel/Sustainable Travel, featured in National Geographic Traveler and Center for Sustainable Destinations, World Travel and Tourism Council, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and The International Institute of Peace Through Tourism. CCS is working on a documentary focusing on “heritage protectors.”
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Access to clean water for 400 vulnerable malagasy
13-05-2019
This project will enable provision of safe water in vulnerable households living surrounding protected areas in Madagascar. Two hand pumps boreholes will be installed with a budget of $5,994 to boost the livelihood of 400 people. One borehole costs $2,945, has a capacity to pump between 20-35 liters per minute and serve 200 people. This project will improve well-being, reduction in women and children's burden collecting water. Starting with just $14.98 you can boost the livelihood of 1 person
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The role of the creative economy in territorial dynamics
09-05-2019
My research (Doctoral thesis) is to understand the impact of the creative economy on territorial dynamics, emphasizing gastronomy and wines as facilitators of wealth creation for small communities.
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6th Asia Pacific Youth Exchange in Thailand
06-05-2019
Asia Pacific Youth Exchange Thailand is a two weeks exchange program held from 4 – 16 August 2019 under the theme of “Sustainable Tourism,” aiming at the Youth Empowerment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through social innovation and social entrepreneurship. The program expects the participation of 150 international delegates from more than 20 countries around Asia-Pacific and the world. APYE components include 1) Leadership Development Training, 2) Local Immersion and 3) Youth Symposium. Throughout the program, delegates will have practical experience from the engagement with local communities and work in international teams to develop a social business proposal for Thai communities. WHAT WILL YOU LEARN IN APYE? - Meet inspiring speakers to learn about SDGs in the forum at United Nations Conference Center in Thailand - Join Design Thinking Process to create your own Social Innovation - Experience living in local community and co-create Social Business ideas for Sustainable Tourism in Thailand - Meet mentors to enhance your Social Entrepreneurship skills - Connect with youth from more than 17 countries in Asia Pacific and other regions Program Date: 4-16 August 2019 Place: Bangkok, Thailand Apply now! Let’s be a part of the 6th APYE Thailand. Website: http://www.apyethailand.org/ Application Link: http://bit.ly/6thAPYEapp The application is open to all youth from the Asia-Pacific and other regions who have great interest in the SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT and TOURISM. Up to 50% Scholarship for applicants are available
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Celebration of Crete's Biodiversity, Historic Food and Wine Routes
29-04-2019
Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries Educational Network Open Seminars June 24-29, 2019 or September 23-28, 2019 5-Day Seminar in Crete, Greece: Celebration of Crete's Biodiversity and Historic Food and Wine Routes. Explore Crete's magnificent countryside and historic sites with resident specialists. Enjoy botanical hikes, visits to organic farms, olive groves and wineries. Savor traditional cuisine in tranquil villages. Adventures and classes include: Botany-biodiversity, archaeology, agroecology, heirloom seed saving, Minoan cooking techniques, cultural-culinary heritage preservation initiatives, traditional and modern Cretan cuisine, herbal medicine, and our silk road-spice route history. This program is designed for researchers and enthusiasts of cultural-natural heritage protection and responsible travel. Our presentations are private, tailored for our small group. Accommodation is in a traditional village in lovingly restored family-owned lodges. Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries “School without Walls,” was founded in 1997 by Nikki Rose, a Greek American journalist, seminar director and professional chef living in Crete. The mission of CCS is to help provide tangible support to residents working on action programs to protect their cultural and natural heritage. The CCS Network of over 50 resident specialists organizes dynamic accredited academic study tours, and seminars for culture-nature enthusiasts. Rose is author of "Crete: The Roots of the Mediterranean Diet." CCS is an award-winning program for best practices in Responsible Travel/Sustainable Travel, featured in National Geographic Traveler and Center for Sustainable Destinations, World Travel and Tourism Council, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and The International Institute of Peace Through Tourism. CCS is working on a documentary focusing on “heritage protectors.”
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Celebration of Crete's Biodiversity, Historic Food and Wine Routes
26-04-2019
Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries Educational Network Open Seminars June 24-29, 2019 or September 23-28, 2019 5-Day Seminar in Crete, Greece: Celebration of Crete's Biodiversity and Historic Food and Wine Routes. Explore Crete's magnificent countryside and historic sites with resident specialists. Enjoy botanical hikes, visits to organic farms, olive groves and wineries. Savor traditional cuisine in tranquil villages. Adventures and classes include: Botany-biodiversity, archaeology, agroecology, heirloom seed saving, Minoan cooking techniques, cultural-culinary heritage preservation initiatives, traditional and modern Cretan cuisine, herbal medicine, and our silk road-spice route history. This program is designed for researchers and enthusiasts of cultural-natural heritage protection and responsible travel. Our presentations are private, tailored for our small group. Accommodation is in a traditional village in lovingly restored family-owned lodges. Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries “School without Walls,” was founded in 1997 by Nikki Rose, a Greek American journalist, seminar director and professional chef living in Crete. The mission of CCS is to help provide tangible support to residents working on action programs to protect their cultural and natural heritage. The CCS Network of over 50 resident specialists organizes dynamic accredited academic study tours, and seminars for culture-nature enthusiasts. Rose is author of "Crete: The Roots of the Mediterranean Diet." CCS is an award-winning program for best practices in Responsible Travel/Sustainable Travel, featured in National Geographic Traveler and Center for Sustainable Destinations, World Travel and Tourism Council, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and The International Institute of Peace Through Tourism. CCS is working on a documentary focusing on “heritage protectors.”
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The Indicator Analysis of the Sustainable Development in Ukraine
18-04-2019
This research project aims to scrutinize the current system of monitoring the sustainable development in Ukraine and to improve its consistency with the globally and regionally (EU) practiced ones in order to clarify the geospatial patterns across the country based on the international and national benchmarking. The project pursues academic and educational goals of the Regional Studies and Tourism Chair of the Geography Faculty of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. The research focuses on the objectives as follows: 1. Scrutiny and critical analysis of indicators and studies of SR and SDG in Ukraine 2. Analysis of the consistency of the indicators of the SD and SDG Ukraine-UN; Ukraine-EU 3. Integrated model of SD-SDG indicators in Ukraine - feasibility, functionality, etc. 5. Benchmarking the international experience of localization, monitoring, information representation, policy of SD and implementation of the SDG 6. Information / digital transformation and sustainable development 7. Public-private partnership and sustainable development 8. Analysis of state strategic (profile) documents and budget programs / projects on compliance with the principles of SD and adapted for Ukraine SDG 9. Sustainable development / achievement of the CSR at the macro and mezzo regional level 10. Comparability of STD/ Tourism for SDG Ukraine-UN, Global Council for Sustainable Tourism (GCST), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), EU (ETIS) 11. Comparison of indicators of SR / Tourism for the UKRAINE-EU CSR. 12. Stable production and consumption in tourism 13. Benchmarking the international experience of localization, information representation, STD policy and implementation of the SDG in tourism. 14. Prospect for the sustainable tourism development observatory (INSTO-UNWTO network - Kaniv Nature Reserve of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv) 15. Prospect for the virtual tourist observatory in accordance with the requirements of the European Commission on the
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ASEAN Youth on Sustainable Tourism
18-04-2019
Young generations are believed to play an important role in the efforts of achieving Sustainable Tourism Development goals. UNWTO’s former Secretary-General Taleb Rifai once stated that “Young people, recognized by the United Nations as a major force for development and social change, have the potential to drive sustainable development in the tourism sector”. Endorsing this belief, AYST exchange program is initiated by students, and for ASEAN students, and non-ASEAN students who have interests in ASEAN community development to learn about issues in Tourism Industry globally. This is a professional and empirical learning environment where young tourism professionals can meet experts and fellows from different countries, participate in field trips to local businesses and heritage sites, encounter real situations, raise their voices, and stimulate initiatives and leadership towards Sustainable Tourism Development. Main purposes of AYST program include: Raising awareness of younger generations about Sustainable Tourism Development in the ASEAN region. Stimulating dialogues, workshops, cultural exchange and discovery, networking and more, for young people within ASEAN, on Tourism and Sustainability. Building a community of young tourism professionals for knowledge and expertise exchange in the region. Strengthening the ASEAN community of youth by driving peace and mutual understanding through Tourism. Empowering cross-border exchanges and collaborations to unlock the potentials of ASEAN young human capital in the Tourism sector.
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Walk for SDGs
18-04-2019
We are walking to create awareness about the SDGs. This 11km walk will involve youths between the ages of 15-30 olds to express their support towards the goals and how they can contribute to it. This will be a pre-event to our major event called the SDGs for Ghana Tourism where we will discuss ways we can use the SDGs to develop the country. Also, we will come up with projects which will be run with volunteers across the world.
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4th UNWTO Euro-Asian Mountain Tourism Conference
18-04-2019
The Future of Mountain Tourism” is the theme of the 4th edition of the UNWTO Euro-Asian Mountain Tourism Conference. The conference spotlights the significant opportunities to be seized and the challenges facing the development of mountain tourism. It highlights the need for collective efforts in overcoming current challenges that mountain destinations are facing to adapt to new consumer trends and market changes, to address seasonality by diversifying tourism products in an innovative manner while protecting natural and cultural resources. It is conceived to create a long-term and shared vision for mountain tourism and it features some 15 international speakers from Europe and Asia and includes a session on the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme and the Sustainable Development Goals, as a framework to align actors across sectors and borders on policies and actions. The Bavarian Minister for Economics, Development and Energy, UNWTO Secretary-General, and the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, inaugurate the conference, alongside the Chief Executive of the Berchtesgaden District and host of the event. A total of six panel debates and various thematic presentations provide the opportunity for participants to address themes such as the new tourist, the impact of demographic change, digitalization and mobility, tourism experiences for all four seasons, transnational cooperation and the contribution of tourism to the Sustainable Development Goals, among others. The conference is organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Berchtesgadener Land Region, with the support of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany. This edition follows the conferences held in Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea and Georgia over the past decade.
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The Indicator Analysis of the Sustainable Development in Ukraine
01-04-2019
This research project aims to scrutinize the current system of monitoring the sustainable development in Ukraine and to improve its consistency with the globally and regionally (EU) practiced ones in order to clarify the geospatial patterns across the country based on the international and national benchmarking. The project pursues academic and educational goals of the Regional Studies and Tourism Chair of the Geography Faculty of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. The research focuses on the objectives as follows: 1. Scrutiny and critical analysis of indicators and studies of SR and SDG in Ukraine 2. Analysis of the consistency of the indicators of the SD and SDG Ukraine-UN; Ukraine-EU 3. Integrated model of SD-SDG indicators in Ukraine - feasibility, functionality, etc. 5. Benchmarking the international experience of localization, monitoring, information representation, policy of SD and implementation of the SDG 6. Information / digital transformation and sustainable development 7. Public-private partnership and sustainable development 8. Analysis of state strategic (profile) documents and budget programs / projects on compliance with the principles of SD and adapted for Ukraine SDG 9. Sustainable development / achievement of the CSR at the macro and mezzo regional level 10. Comparability of STD/ Tourism for SDG Ukraine-UN, Global Council for Sustainable Tourism (GCST), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), EU (ETIS) 11. Comparison of indicators of SR / Tourism for the UKRAINE-EU CSR. 12. Stable production and consumption in tourism 13. Benchmarking the international experience of localization, information representation, STD policy and implementation of the SDG in tourism. 14. Prospect for the sustainable tourism development observatory (INSTO-UNWTO network - Kaniv Nature Reserve of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv) 15. Prospect for the virtual tourist observatory in accordance with the requirements of the European Commission on the
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Dream and Delhi
25-03-2019
This is a blog about how a woman entrepreneur from Manipur is trying to persuade her community to get involved in mushroom farming. Farmers used to burn off the hay after harvest. In India this is unfortunately a common practice these days which choked the capital city of New Delhi with smog. Hay is of no commercial value for farmers and stocking them is a waste of time and effort for them. In this scenario, Ms. Prava’s Initiative is relevant. She wants to promote the use of hay in mushroom cultivation so that she can prevent the burning of hay in her village. She is also worried about the forests being cut down during months of unemployment. Villagers cut trees for firewood since they have no money to buy fuel for cooking. Prava believes that mushroom cultivation solves this problem to a large extend