Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UNWTO

Around the world, we are seeing growing number of people travel for cultural reasons: to hear different languages, to learn about history and to enjoy art, music, architecture or gastronomy. Kyoto is an excellent example of how this interest in the past and the present can be used to build a sustainable cultural tourism for the future generations. Here, the successful merging of the unique, yet complementary, cultural expressions and tourism development model, is driving economic growth and employment, while also preserving the city’s emblematic World Heritage Sites.

Interest in cultural tourism is set to increase in line with the expected growth in the wider tourism sector over the years ahead. However, growth alone is not enough. The public and private sectors must work together to ensure that tourism is a driver of economic stability and environmental protection on one side, as well as of equality and inclusivity, on the other side.

This conference offers us the chance to share our knowledge and look to the future. Right now, 41% of the global population is under the age of 24.  The theme of “Investing in Future Generations” is, therefore, highly relevant. Cultural tourism cannot only provide this generation, and the generations that follow them, with decent jobs. It should ensure they live in a world filled with cultural wonders and different traditions, and to explore and enjoy them as both tourists and locals. Furthermore, cultural tourism can help promote diversity and intercultural dialogue, the foundations of peace and mutual understanding.

This is the fourth edition of the UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture and as such will build on several landmark agreements in this increasingly relevant field, namely the 2015 Siem Reap Declaration, the 2017 Muscat Declaration, and the 2018 Istanbul Declaration. I wish to express my gratitude to the Japan Tourism Agency, the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Kyoto Prefecture and Kyoto City for hosting the event, and I wish all participants an enjoyable and productive conference. 

TABATA Hiroshi, Commissioner, Japan Tourism Agency

I am honored that the 4th UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture will be held in Kyoto, Japan.

Tourism and culture have always been inseparable. We recognize that experience and protection of culture is a global issue. At the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting organized by Japan as a chair country, countries agreed to encourage tourism in which people experience unique culture and promote protection of culture. In addition, the countries share numbers of cultural tourism issues, such as the passing on of tradition, mutual understanding and regional development. It is important to share knowledge and to promote new initiatives. At the conference, we are looking forward to sharing knowledge and have a fruitful discussion in order to develop tourism and culture.

Kyoto, an ancient capital of Japan, is one of the world's renowned cities of culture and tourism. It has numerous historic sites designated as UNESCO World Heritage, including Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion). Kyoto is also blessed with the traditional cultures that have been handed down through history, including tea ceremony and ikebana (flower arranging).

I am confident that Kyoto can offer a meaningful experience for the participants, as well as delighting them with traditional culture and arts that forms part of its uniquely elaborate omotenashi.

I am looking forward to meeting you in Kyoto on 12 and 13 December, 2019.

MIYATA Ryohei, Commissioner, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan

We are very pleased and grateful that the UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture is being held on such a splendid scale for the first time in Japan in one of Japan’s foremost cultural and historical cities, Kyoto.

In countries now around the world, the rich tangible and intangible cultural assets and art culture in their various regions are being utilized to promote tourism, which leads to industrial and economic development and international exchanges. At the same time, countries are facing the urgent issues of how these cultural assets can be preserved and handed down to future generations. Within this context, I believe that the theme this conference will focus on, “Investing in future generations – tourism, culture, and the SDGs,” is very timely and meaningful.

I sincerely hope that the discussion and exchanges at this conference will gather the wisdom of the world on this theme, promote collaboration among culture, tourism, and industry, and help realize the development of sustainable cities and regions. Moreover, we will be very pleased if all of you participating in this conference from around the world will avail yourselves of this opportunity to experience the culture of Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, and the surrounding Kansai region, as well as enjoy the diversity and depth of Japanese culture, which has such a long history.

I sincerely hope that the conference and your stay in Japan will be fruitful, and I wish you all the best in your current and future activities. 

I am confident that Kyoto can offer a meaningful experience for the participants, as well as delighting them with traditional culture and arts that forms part of its uniquely elaborate omotenashi.

I am looking forward to meeting you in Kyoto on 12 and 13 December, 2019.

NISHIWAKI Takatoshi, Governor, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

Dear All, 

Welcome to Kyoto. I am pleased to see you here.

Kyoto was the political and cultural capital of Japan for over 1000 years, until the end of the 1800s. Throughout this long history, Kyoto has become a home to many cultural heritages, including a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

We are also close to rich natural regions such as the sea, forests, and tea plantations, all just a short distance from the city center. We have lived with nature in order to cultivate a unique culture which has become a part of everyday life. I have no doubt these traits will charm you all.

Because Kyoto is blessed with many attractions, it is the perfect location to host the UNWTO/UNESCO international conference under the theme of tourism and culture.

We strive to create a sustainable society for future generations, while passing down our diverse cultures and being directly responsible for the effects of tourism. I anticipate demonstrating our methods in this conference.  

I look forward to seeing you all in Kyoto.

KADOKAWA Daisaku, Mayor, Kyoto City, Japan

Dear esteemed participants,     

As the mayor of the host city, I am honored to welcome you to the 4th UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture in Kyoto.     

As the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto City is the historical, cultural and spiritual heart of the country and enjoys worldwide recognition. It is also among the few cities in the world that have preserved their urban functions and culture for more than a thousand years.      

I believe that Kyoto is the ideal setting for this conference, whose theme is “Investing in future generations”.      

The citizens of Kyoto have a strong sense of self-governance, and local communities have always played a leading role in the city’s development. They have also been instrumental in preserving traditional culture and lifestyles and transmitting them to future generations.     

In addition, with our responsibility and pride as the city where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, Kyoto is actively working to achieve the SDGs and make sustainable tourism and culture a reality. We would like to take this conference as an opportunity to share our best practices with you.

I look forward to meeting you in Kyoto on the 12 and 13 December 2019.