The three day long 3rd UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture will be held in Istanbul in Turkey from 3rd to 5th December. This conference will be developed and strengthened on the outcomes of the two preceding editions of this event and their respective Declarations: the 2015 Siem Reap Declaration, which recommended closer and targeted affiliations among stakeholders of culture and of tourism; and the 2017 Muscat Declaration, which committed its endorsees to enhancing the contribution of tourism and culture in national SDG strategies.
Both these declarations simplifies the idea that our emphasis should not just on creating tourism and culture partnerships, but also make use of most of their potential to positively impact community, and enliven the overall tourist experience.
Istanbul edition will give attention to on technology, models for tourist management and the approaches that bring maximum benefits to both visitors and locals, while upholding cultural values and heritage in line with thorough tourism principles and the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.
‘For the Benefit of All’ is the theme of the 2018 World Conference that puts forward two priorities as follows:
1) making further inclusive partnerships between tourism and culture stakeholders that contribute to SDG implementation; and
2) Promoting tourism development that persuades cultural interaction and ensures the benefits are shared by all communities involved.
This Edition will further emphasize how cultural tourism can make an significant input to the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in terms of poverty reduction, combating inequality and promoting comprehensive growth.
