Toxic tourism – congestion, communities and culture under un microscope

Samarkand UNWTO conference supports sustainable cultural tourism to benefit communities

The importance of building new partnership models for the sustainable development of cultural tourism got relevant at the 99th session of the UNWTO Executive Council meeting in Samarkand.

The event was held in one of the world’s great world heritage sites, although not subject to the crowds of low-value tourists plaguing other UNESCO destinations such as Florence, Venice and Bath.

The conference was particularly timely given the upcoming conference of ministers of culture and ministers of tourism at Siem Riep next February. This event is intended to build a global partnership on tourism and culture.

The UNWTO Executive Council stressed the need to promote new governance models to foster closer cooperation between tourism and culture in order to advance the sustainable development of cultural tourism.

Issues discussed included congestion management, the role of local communities in tourism development and cultural preservation, as well as the promotion of events, creative industries and contemporary culture and history in enriching the visitor experience.

Valere Tjolle

Toxic tourism – congestion, communities and culture under un microscope

Samarkand UNWTO conference supports sustainable cultural tourism to benefit communities

The importance of building new partnership models for the sustainable development of cultural tourism got relevant at the 99th session of the UNWTO Executive Council meeting in Samarkand.

The event was held in one of the world’s great world heritage sites, although not subject to the crowds of low-value tourists plaguing other UNESCO destinations such as Florence, Venice and Bath.

The conference was particularly timely given the upcoming conference of ministers of culture and ministers of tourism at Siem Riep next February. This event is intended to build a global partnership on tourism and culture.

The UNWTO Executive Council stressed the need to promote new governance models to foster closer cooperation between tourism and culture in order to advance the sustainable development of cultural tourism.

Issues discussed included congestion management, the role of local communities in tourism development and cultural preservation, as well as the promotion of events, creative industries and contemporary culture and history in enriching the visitor experience.

Valere Tjolle

Great sustainable offers this week: 93% off reports and guides here  Keys to sustainably successful destinations revealed here  Going to WTM, want to attract high value green tourists? here