The Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT) is harnessing the ‘tourism and community development’ theme of World Tourism Day 2014, to be held this Saturday, September 27.
“Tourism is a people-based economic activity built on social interaction, and as such can only prosper if it engages the local population by contributing to social values such as participation, education and enhanced local governance,” emphasises Talib Rifai, Secretary General United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
This year’s World Tourism Day draws special attention to the role of tourism in contributing to one of the building blocks of a more sustainable future for all: Community development. This focus is in line with the global transition to the Sustainable Development Goals as the guiding principle promoted by the UN from 2015 and beyond.
GIFT researchers are contributing to sustainable tourism development at multiple levels.
GIFT Director, Prof. Susanne Becken announced a new partnership at the Third United Nations International Conference on Small Island Developing States, to work with key agencies globally, and in the region to enhance tourism resilience. The impacts of climate change and extreme weather events are a key focus of this new partnership.
“Reducing vulnerabilities to disasters is an absolute must if we want to achieve any real progress in terms of sustainable development,” highlights Prof. Becken.
Elsewhere, GIFT Adjunct Professor, Steve Noakes continues inputs to an international consultancy in Myanmar on a tourism business development project, focusing on micro/small enterprises in impoverished communities. This is all part of the A$9 million Business Innovation Facility program in Myanmar that is funded by the UK Government.
Across the past few years, Myanmar has experienced significant double-digit growth in international arrivals, with the first five months of 2014 having seen a massive 46% increase in arrivals.
“My work in Myanmar has been focussed on supporting local tourism related businesses to adjust their business in ways that create more jobs, opportunities, products and services for the local community,” confirmed Adjunct Professor Noakes.
“With such a rapidly expanding tourism industry we are calling on researchers to invest their time and effort into the project to ensure sustainability of the Myanmar tourism industry.
“Despite the obvious economic positives of the current situation, there is also potential for problems to manifest as the destination grapples with the economic, social and environmental consequences of rapid tourism growth.”
Sharing lessons learned across the various projects in different parts of the Asia Pacific region is critical to maximise progress towards sustainable development.
“The diversity of our projects and global partnerships, including important links with the UNWTO, are a real plus for our research team at GIFT,” added Prof. Becken.
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