EMPOWERING TOURISM DESTINATIONS’ SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH INNOVATION

Under the theme ‘Empowering Tourism Destinations’ Sustainability through Innovation’, Kasane, the capital of Chobe District in Botswana, hosted over 100 tourism stakeholders from 19 different countries on 7-9 December 2017. The delegates, 40% of which represented private sector organizations, exchanged experiences and knowledge of innovative approaches to enhance tourism and conservation planning, financing and marketing.

The potential of geospatial technologies and big data as a growing tool for better tourism planning and management and the opportunities offered by adopting circular economy approaches in the tourism value chain to advance the fight against climate change were among the most salient debates. The importance of the relationship between tourism, biodiversity and wildlife protection as well as the key role of partnerships were also debated in the scope of the implementation of the Agenda 2030 through tourism.

The Symposium and Conference led to the adoption of the ‘Kasane Call to Action on Sustainable Tourism: The Tourism We Want’, which represents the contribution of the 10YFP Sustainable Tourism Programme to the legacy of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. The Call was developed following a participatory approach and aims to guide the action of the 10YFP network on tourism in the years to come.

The events were hosted by the Botswana Tourism Organization and co-organized by UNWTO and the governments of France, Morocco and the Republic of Korea, with the support of the 10YFP Secretariat and UN Environment.

Related links:

Programme of the events, presentations and videos : here

Further information on the 10YFP Sustainable Tourism Programme: here