ITB: Silk road, child protection, Myanmar focus for UNWTO

Kayah State

UNWTO’s activities at ITB will focus on the development of the Silk Road, the World Tourism Network on Child Protection and showcasing Myanmar

One of the major events organized by UNWTO at ITB Berlin will be the 6th UNWTO Silk Road Ministers’ Meeting (9 March).

Tourism ministers from and high-ranking officials from over 20 countries will discuss how public/private sector partnerships (PPPs) can contribute to advancing tourism on the Silk Road.

The discussions will include marketing and promotion, infrastructure development, heritage management, aviation, major events and risk and crisis management.

At the forum UNWTO will also launch the Silk Road Action Plan 2016/2017. The 5th UNWTO Silk Road Tour Operators’ Forum will take place on 10^th March to empower inbound Silk Road tour operators in better understanding, and working with the international travel trade.

UNWTO will also hold the 31st Meeting of the World Tourism Network on Child Protection on 10 March. This is an initiative to prevent all forms of child and youth exploitation in the tourism sector.

Under the chairmanship of Carol Bellamy, the Chair of the Network and former Executive Director of UNICEF, the meeting will focus on Responsible Business Strategies and Child Protection in Tourism,

The event will include contributions from ABTA, TUI Group, as well as the Chair of the High Level Global Task Force to End Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism Najat Maalla M’jid, who will share the results of the Global Study on the Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism.

UNWTO has partnered with the International Trade Centre (ITC) to promote the Kayah State of Myanmar during ITB Berlin. ITC has been working with the Government of Myanmar since 2014 on an inclusive tourism project aimed at supporting the local tourism sector through the development of cultural and eco-tourism products.

UNWTO will join ITC and Myanmar to showcase the multiple benefits arising from this project by co-organizing a series of events throughout the fair including a press conference, a seminar and a number of business to business events.

The showcase will include: A high-level panel session relating to authenticity and sustainability in Kayah State; a promotional get-together on the Myanmar stand, a community-based tourism B2B networking event, and a press conference.

Valere Tjolle

Download the full program of UNWTO activities at ITB HERE

Know more about the Myanmar activities at ITB Berlin HERE

31st meeting of the World Tourism Network on Child Protection: HERE

Valere Tjolle @ValereTjolle [email protected]