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UNWTO Seeks Input into New Study on Climate Change and Tourism in Asia and the Pacific

UNWTO Seeks Input into New Study on Climate Change and Tourism in Asia and the Pacific

UNWTO is seeking government and private sector participation in its new study entitled ¨Tourism´s Response to Climate Change: An Examination of Tourism Related Initiatives in Asia and the Pacific, ¨ through the completion of brief online surveys.  

SCROLL DOWN TO GET INVOLVED IN THE SURVEYS

Climate change is an issue of growing importance for the global tourism sector. Though its impacts vary across regions and individual destinations, recent years have shown that changes in climate can create a myriad of environmental, social and economic challenges for destinations. The tourism sector´s response – the way it adapts to and mitigates these impacts – is of paramount importance to the sustainability of the sector, and to the sustainability of destinations themselves.

Until now, there have been no in depth studies into the impacts of climate change on tourism in Asia and the Pacific. This year, UNWTO´s Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific, in collaboration with the University of Queensland (Australia) is producing a new study to review existing climate change related policies, programmes and initiatives in the region, and to  showcase best practice case studies from across the Asia Pacific.

To ensure that the study accurately reflects the region´s attitudes and current actions in response to climate change, UNWTO is seeking your participation. If you are a tourism ministry representative or business owner we want to hear from you.

We have designed two brief online surveys to garner your experiences with climate change and your organization´s thoughts about its impact on the tourism sector. If you would like to have the opportunity to be featured as a case study in this publication, there is an opportunity to complete your contact details in the survey.

Should you have any questions about the study or your contribution, please contact project manager Dr. Lisa Ruhanen at l.ruhanen@uq.edu.au. We thank you in advance for your contributions and interest in this important study and look forward to receiving your responses.


SURVEYS:

Are you from your country´s tourism ministry? Please click here to complete the survey for government representatives.

Are you a business owner or tourism operator? Please click here to complete the survey for tourism businesses.

 

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Asia’s tourism businesses commit to UNWTO Global Code of Ethics

PR No.: PR12038

Some of Asia’s most prominent tourism businesses have signed the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, committing to implement the ethical provisions of the Code in their policies, plans and business operations. The signing took place at the first Regional Conference on Tourism Partnerships on Future Tourism for Asia and the Pacific in the presence of UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai and H.E. Mr. Yoo Jinryong, Korea´s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (1 June, Seoul, Republic of Korea).

It is the first time that Asian tourism businesses have pledged to adhere to the Code. Eight companies from Korea and Hong Kong (China) joined more than 100 others from all over the world who already subscribed to the fundamental idea that the realization of responsible tourism requires that the private sector, like their counterparts in the public sector, embrace the principles of ethical, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. The signing was witnessed by H.E. Mr. Yoo Jinryong, Korea´s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, who was present at the conference.

“This is a testimony of the commitment of these companies to the principles of a more sustainable and responsible tourism sector,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai. “I trust that this will lead the way for other companies from Asia and the Pacific, a region which is one of the main engines of sustainable tourism growth today and in the foreseeable future,” he added.

The Code is UNWTO’s core policy document and represents a guide for the development of sustainable tourism. Adopted in 1999 by the UNWTO General Assembly and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001, it is designed to guide the development of tourism in a way that maximizes the socio-economic benefits of the sector, while minimizing any negative impacts.

The signatory companies and associations were Asiana Airlines, Hana Tour, Korean Air, the Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA), the Korea MICE Association, the Korea Tourism Association (KTA), Lotte Hotel and Resorts and Sanctuary Resorts.

This group of companies and an association joins another 119 companies spread over 13 countries: Armenia, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Ecuador, France, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands, Spain, Tunisia and Uruguay.

 

Relevant links:

1st UNWTO Regional Conference on Tourism Partnerships: Future Tourism for Asia and the Pacific

UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

 

Contacts:

UNWTO Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60

 

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

Tel: +34 91-567-8100

Fax: +34 91-567-8218

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MICE Industry – An Asia-Pacific Perspective

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In Asia and the Pacific, one of the fastest developing regions in the world, MICE industry development can be a key driver of economic growth, regional cooperation and intellectual development. This publication brings together the theoretical background of MICE tourism as well as best practice examples from around the Asia Pacific Region. Together these show how MICE tourism can bring benefits beyond profits and short term jobs to include adding competitive advantage to destinations, diversifying source markets and engaging both hosts and guests in global, regional and local issues.

 

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Domestic Tourism in Asia and the Pacific

Domestic Tourism in Asia and the Pacific

Domestic tourism is estimated to represent around 5 to 6 billion trips globally. This report provides an in-depth analysis of domestic tourism in 16 Asian countries highlighting its crucial contribution to the socio-economic development of one of the fastest growing tourism regions the world. The study comprises four major components: a country profile, case studies, domestic tourism data and detailed recommendations for the development of domestic tourism. With contributions from academia, public officials and tourism professionals, this study aims to serve as practical guide for a more holistic and sustainable approach to the development of domestic tourism and a useful groundwork for further research into the topic of domestic tourism in Asia and the Pacific and in other regions.

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Key Outbound Tourism Markets in South-East Asia – Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam

Key Outbound Tourism Markets in South-East Asia – Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam

Asia and the Pacific is not only a major tourism destination region but also an increasingly important tourism outbound market. This study, a collaborative project between Tourism Australia (TA) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), aims to provide an up-to-date perspective of the major tourism trends in five key South-East Asian outbound markets: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The report includes a regional overview in terms of tourism and travel patterns, a detailed, country-specific analysis and a comparative evaluation of current and future potential tourism generating countries.

 

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Japan reasserts commitment to deeper cooperation with UNWTO

Recognizing tourism as one of the leading economic sectors in Japan, a high-level delegation visiting UNWTO reaffirmed the country’s commitment to improve sustainability in tourism, widen travel facilitation and increase Japan’s involvement in the international tourism community as part of the world region with the highest rate of tourism growth.

A high-level delegation from Japan visiting UNWTO (3 May 2013), spearheaded by the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Manabu Sakai, underscored the existing strong bilateral relationship and highlighted Japan’s strategic steps to increase its international visibility.

Among the key points discussed with UNWTO were the recently launched tourism campaign “Discover the Spirit of Japan”, promoting intangible cultural heritage and people as key tourism assets, against the backdrop of the evolving tourism approach of the country. Within this context, easing visa policy towards countries of South East Asia seems an important element to attract additional visitors, considering the growth dynamic of this region.

UNWTO has been operating a Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific (RSO) in Japan since 1995, initially in Osaka and relocated in 2012 to Nara. The Organization scaled up its support to the country´s tourism sector after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Overall, Japan has been able to achieve an outstanding recovery in recent years, with almost 35% growth in international tourism arrivals and 37% in tourism receipts last year, also experiencing an exceptional turnaround in outbound figures in 2012.

 

Contacts:

Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60

 

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

Tel: +34 91-567-8100

Fax: +34 91-567-8218

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UNWTO/Tourism Australia report highlights the potential of South-East Asian outbound tourism

PR No.: PR13028

Over the past decades, Asia and the Pacific has consolidated its position not only as one of the major tourism destination regions, but also as an increasingly important outbound market. Asia accounts for 14 of the world´s top 50 source markets in terms of international expenditure. ‘Key Outbound Tourism Markets in South-East Asia’, a new joint report by UNWTO and Tourism Australia, responds to the growing need to better understand five of these dynamic source markets and the opportunity they represent to destinations around the world.

‘Key Outbound Tourism Markets in South-East Asia,’ launched at the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), Australia´s premier tourism trade event (Sydney, 26 April), provides an up-to-date perspective on major tourism trends and developments in five key South-East Asian outbound markets: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

In 2012, these five countries accounted for US$ 49 billion in international tourism expenditure, almost doubling up from US$ 25 billion in 2006. The increasing size of the prospering middle class in South-East Asia is a crucial factor behind the growth in travel out of Asian markets.

“According to UNWTO’s long-term outlook in Tourism Towards 2030, the number of international tourist arrivals generated by source markets in Asia and the Pacific is expected to more than double from 205 million in 2010 to 541 million in 2030. UNWTO is very pleased to have partnered with Tourism Australia in producing this report that sheds new light on the travel trends of some of these countries and thus empowers destinations in Asia and beyond to be more competitive when approaching these fast growing source markets”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said the study would help the Australian tourism industry to better understand, communicate with, and serve these five, key emerging outbound markets. “Each market is different, but they all possess significant potential, which we need to understand to really make the most of this Asian Century,” Mr McEvoy noted.

In addition to economic and demographic factors, the region’s expansion has also been boosted by developments at the technological and supply-side levels. This includes a boom in air travel, driven largely by the emergence and expansion of low-cost carriers, and the growing access to the internet.

‘Key Outbound Tourism Markets in South-East Asia´ is one of a number of collaboration initiatives between UNWTO and Australia in recent years. It is hoped that the report will serve as a useful resource for destination planners, strategists, marketers and researchers, to better understand the characteristics and potential of outbound travel from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

 

Useful links:

Tourism Australia's website

Key Outbound Tourism Markets in South-East Asia

 

Contacts:

UNWTO

Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60

www.UNWTO.org

 

Tourism Australia

Corporate Media Relations Manager: Leo Seaton

Tel : (+61) 447 463197

Twitter

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