Tourism megatrends to be discussed at global eco 2013

Global Eco 2013 Conference Theme: Tourism Megatrends – Global Eco Action Agenda

The Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference will be held on the 18-19 of November at the Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort, in Noosa, Queensland, with an additional day on Wednesday 19 November, featuring half-day applied Forums. The program will focus on the six global megatrends identified by the CSIRO.

This year, Global Eco with the support of Australia’s foremost research organisation CSIRO, will develop an action plan to respond to the megatrends that will impact Asia-Pacific tourism.

Under the theme: Tourism Megatrends – Global Eco Action Agenda, the conference will examine how experiential, responsible and eco tourism will be affected by global megatrends in the Asia Pacific over the next 20 years. Six key megatrends will be examined.

The megatrends identified by CSIRO are strongly influenced by the Asia-Pacific – its demographics, technological superiority, cultural diversity and biodiversity.

With a very ‘hands-on’ approach, Global Eco delegates will help create the future as they develop a plan to respond to these megatrends. Delegates will drive the agenda. This two-day program will be very fast moving. Theme stream presentations will be very focused – 90 second presentations by ‘opinion leaders’ – then the discussion and debate moves on. Outcomes will be captured in the Global Eco Charter – Ecotourism Megatrends.

The Queensland Government commissioned CSIRO to develop a report onglobal megatrends creating opportunities and challenges over the coming 20 years. This report forms the basis of the Global Eco Asia Pacific agenda for 2013.

According to CSIRO a megatrend occurs at the intersection of multiple trends. Megatrends represent particularly important and far-reaching events that will substantially impact the tourism sector. Global Eco will focus on six of the megatrends identified in the CSIRO report:

The Orient Express – The world economy will significantly change over coming decades. Rapid income growth within emerging economies will create new markets and new sources of competition. Major growth opportunities are associated with attracting new tourists from developing Asia.

A Natural Advantage – Global biodiversity and natural habitats are disappearing at alarming rates. Those areas of remaining pristine natural habitats are of increasing value. As the world’s population grows and becomes increasingly urbanised tourists will be drawn to nature-based experiences. Natural assets will become an increasingly important drawcard.

Great Expectations – As incomes grow people shift their discretionary expenditure towards experiences as opposed to products. The experiences future tourists will seek will be authentic, personalised and often involve social interaction.

Destinations like Australia, which are expensive must demonstrate they are ‘worth it’ – perhaps exotic and boutique destinations can rely more on the ‘worth it’ and value for money factor rather than purely price.

Bolts from the Blue – Sudden and hard to predict events such as extreme weather and infectious disease outbreaks have greater likelihood in a world with a changed climate, antimicrobial drug resistance and increased human mobility. When combined with the growing importance of safety perceptions these events will have both positive and negative impacts on tourism expenditure.

Digital Whispers – Models of human communication and decision-making are changing over time. Information flows much more rapidly and via widely distributed channels. The perceived credibility of information sources is also changing. The online world has created new risks and opportunities for the tourism sector.

On the Move – Humanity is becoming increasingly mobile. In addition to tourism, people are travelling further and more frequently for many reasons such as trade, business, events, conferences and healthcare. Technological advances in aviation and the transport sector will enable the continued rise in mobility.

Six leading specialists will guide the presentation of the megatrends. Six world leading operators will present case studies on the innovations that have them in front of the pack when its comes to responding to the megatrends. These presentations will be invited.

Further info: http://www.globaleco.com.au/conference-theme.php

Valere Tjolle

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