The first UNWTO event conducted in the Pacific Islands analyzed the potential of sustainable tourism practices in the development of the region. The training programme was aligned with the celebrations of the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.
The UNWTO Asia/Pacific Executive Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea since 2006, provides a unique platform for senior-level officials to come together and discuss pertinent issues related to policy, strategy and development of tourism in the Asia Pacific Region.
The first session of the programme, organized in cooperation with the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, discussed tourism development in Papua New Guinea as a tool to create new employment opportunities, reduce poverty and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As underlined by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, “you are a blank canvas to the world with the opportunity to fill as colorful, beautiful and wonderful image of Papua; your country should continue working to promote itself in a positive light for next year´s APEC Summit.”
Papua New Guinea Minister of Finance, James Marape, said “we will definitely shift our focus away from mining and oil, and bring more attention into the tourism sector, which in our view can bring an immense potential to our country. In five years we will see what this country will be.” In the bilateral meetings after the event, the Minister of Tourism, Tobias Kulang, expressed the commitment of the country to collaboratively work on a national tourism strategy for the next 12 years.
All the 21 foreign delegates representing 16 countries from the Asia Pacific Region had the opportunity to share best practices and case studies from their respective countries on sustainable tourism. Furthermore, through a series of lectures, group discussion and debates the delegates examined resource efficiency, safeguarding natural and cultural heritage. Special attention was given to the impacts of climate change and the ways in which tourism in Asia and the Pacific can contribute to the SDGs through inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development employment and poverty reduction.
