Madrid,
Spain, 14 November 2018 – The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)’s
International Seminar on Harnessing Cultural Tourism through Innovation
and Technology and 40th Affiliate Members Plenary Session concluded with
a renewed call for community participation in development of cultural
tourism using cutting-edge technologies (12-14 November 2018, Hamedan,
Islamic Republic of Iran).
Cultural
and heritage attractions are key to tourism development in many
countries around the world, and innovation and technology can make these
attractions more accessible while preserving their essence, the seminar
concluded. It also stressed that innovation and technology should
empower, rather than disenfranchise, host populations and communities
and can assist them in retaining their authenticity, while cultural
heritage development and preservation should be a part of local and
national plans for socioeconomic development through tourism and
technology.
“Technology
and innovation, including ICT, can improve the quality of the tourist
experience. It can improve governance, profits and the wellbeing of
residents. And it can preserve intangible and tangible heritage
resources for the sustainable development of cultural tourism,” said
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili opening the event.
“The
world’s diverse range of culture and heritage form the best means and
ways to connect peoples of the world – but only if the rights and
privileges of both host and guest populations are respected and
responded to. And innovation and technology can help”, added Iranian
Vice-President Ali Asghar Mounesan, who also heads the Iran Cultural
Heritage, Handcraft and Tourism Organization (ICHTO).
The
seminar agreed that informed governance and policies surrounding uptake
of new technologies and innovative practices can guide tourism
development and open doors for the sector, with conservation and
revitalization of cultural heritage one of its main benefits. It also
highlighted that for tourism authorities, participation of, and
collaboration with, the host community should be a driver for
technology-driven change. It was urged that tourism development not only
maximize benefits and minimize costs for greater competitiveness, but
also respond to the expectations and needs of hosts and guests alike.
The
seminar was organized by UNWTO, ICHTO and Alisadr Tourism Company.
Alongside it, Hamedan played host to the UNWTO Affiliate Members’ 40th
plenary, in which active discussions were held as UNWTO’s Affiliate
Members voiced their opinions and suggestions on the Affiliate Members
Department’s Programme of Work for 2019.
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