To Start off CAP/CSA/27/5.2_Reg. Support office UNWTO COMMISSION FOR EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC UNWTO COMMISSION FOR SOUTH ASIA Twenty-seventh Joint Meeting Bandos, Maldives 4 June 2015 Item 5.2 of the Provisional Agenda Implementation of the General Programme of Work ACTIVITIES OF THE UNWTO REGIONAL SUPPORT OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Note by the Secretary-General The Secretary-General submits to the Joint Meeting of the two Commissions a report on the activities that have been undertaken by the UNWTO Regional Support Office of Nara in the region since the 26 th CAP-CSA Joint meeting which was held in Legazpi, Philippines in May 2014.
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Support Office for Asia-Pacific (RSOAP) June 2014 - May 2015 Activities Introduction UNWTO Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific (RSOAP) was established in 1995 in Osaka, Japan to assist with the substantial tourism growth in the region. In 2012, the office moved to Nara. RSOAP supports the mission and activities of UNWTO Regional Program for Asia and the Pacific (RPAP). Through seminars, events and research RSOAP aims to contribute to UNWTO priorities of: 1. Mainstreaming tourism in the global agenda 2. Improving tourism competitiveness 3. Promoting sustainable tourism development 4. Advancing tourism s contribution to poverty reduction and development 5. Fostering knowledge, education and capacity 6. Building partnerships RSOAP 2014-2015 Actvities Research Publication: Sustainable Cruise Development Strategies: Tackling the Challenges in Itinerary Design in South-East Asia Seminar: Linking Conservation of Nature and Culture with Community Revitalization Seminar: The Growth of Cultural Tourism on the Silk Road and Opportunities for the Japanese Outbound Market Meeting in Tokyo with United Nations Specialized Agencies and World Tourism Day Celebration in Mie Prefecture, Japan Japanese translations of UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, UNWTO Tourism Highlights 2014, and UNWTO World Tourism Barometer Press Release Presentation at The 5 th East Asia Local and Regional Government Congress Nara Tourism Statistics Week Seminar: Nomadic Culture and Tourism in Mongolia: Revitalization of Community through Sustainable Tourism Presentation: 4 th Expert Meeting ASEAN-Japan Cruise Promotion Strategy Meeting Tokyo Meetings on UNWTO 10 Year Framework Programme on Sustainable Tourism Thai Delegation Meeting in Presentations: ASEAN Product Development Meeting and ASEAN NTO Meeting Recruitment of international staff members through a collaboration with George Washington University 2
Logistical support at the 26 th CSA/CAP Joint Commission Meeting, UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Culture and Tourism, and UNWTO Asia-Pacific Executive Training Programme Greater cooperation with the UNWTO Volunteer Programme RSOAP 2015-2016 Activities Publish Sustainable Cruise Development Strategies: Tackling the Challenges in Itinerary Design in South-East Asia and continue research to develop and promote sustainable cruise tourism in the region Organize the UNWTO International Conference on Culture and Silk Road Tourism Promoting Sustainable Tourism Development Linking Conservation of Nature and Culture with Community Revitalization August 21, 2014 In collaboration with Ecotourism Japan, the International Ecotourism Society, and the Japan Eco-lodge Association, RSOAP hosted a seminar to present sustainable destination management concepts, the benefits of ecotourism, and introduced the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Criteria. Participants included regional tourism boards, tour guides, interpretive guides, ecotourism bodies, community leaders, nature schools, and scholars. The seminar served as a basis for a follow up conference hosted by the Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau under the auspices of RSOAP, held from January 30-February 1, 2015, which studied the application of the GSTC Criteria with local stakeholders and other prefectures. Nomadic Culture and Tourism in Mongolia: Revitalization of Community through Sustainable Tourism December 16, 2014 RSOAP and the Asia-Pacific Tourism Exchange Center (APTEC) hosted the seminar, Nomadic Culture and Tourism in Mongolia: Revitalization of Community through Sustainable Tourism in. Working together with a Doctorate in Anthropology from Nara Women s University, RSOAP organized the content and coordinated the logistics of the seminar. The seminar provided an opportunity to deepen the understanding of not only the abundant resources available in Mongolia but also sustainable tourism development efforts in the country. Participants exchanged ideas to promote Mongolia s rich cultural and natural resources and facilitate partnerships for 3
sustainable tourism development. More than 70 people attended including representatives from government offices, tour operators, travel agencies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and the general public. Research Publication: Sustainable Cruise Development Strategies: Tackling the Challenges in Itinerary Design in South-East Asia October 2014 - July 2015 RSOAP commissioned research to recommend strategies and best practices for sustainable cruise development in South-East Asia with a particular focus on the region s ports of call and value chain. The report examines the outlook of cruise tourism growth, the current situation in relevant destinations, and the best practices that may be applied for responsible cruise tourism in South- East Asia. The report describes ways to develop cruise tourism that mitigates cultural and natural degradation, promotes heritage resources, and maximizes economic impacts to all stakeholders. This research will be published as a UNWTO publication summer 2015. 4 th Expert Meeting ASEAN-Japan Cruise Promotion Strategy Meeting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia February 27-28, 2015 RSOAP presented an interim report on the Sustainable Cruise Development Strategies research to ASEAN Tourism Officials. RSOAP presented the research purpose to build awareness, provide strategy recommendations, and provide best practices for sustainable cruise tourism development. The presentation and the report contributed to the policy pillars of the ASEAN- Japan Cruise Promotion Strategy. The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) hosted the meeting. ASEAN Product Development Meeting and ASEAN NTO Meeting April 8, 2015 and May 28, 2015 Singapore, Singapore RSOAP presented the findings from the Sustainable Cruise Development Strategies: Tackling the Challenges in Itinerary Design in South-East Asia report. The first presentation on April 8 th discussed the opportunities and challenges of cruise tourism and presented recommendations for sustainable product development strategies at the destination-level. The second presentation on May 28 th was on how cruise tourism s benefits can be maximized and impacts minimized and the eight strategies were presented from the report to develop sustainable cruise tourism and responsible tourism in South-East Asia. 4
Building Partnerships United Nations Specialized Agencies Tokyo Meeting and World Tourism Day Celebration in Mie Prefecture Tokyo, Japan September 25 and 27, 2014 RSOAP and United Nations specialized agencies based in Japan coorganized a luncheon with UNWTO Secretary-General Dr. Taleb Rifai at United Nations University. Secretary General Dr. Rifai also met with Mr. Akihiro Ohta, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism (MLIT); Mr. Kazuyuki Nakane, Parliamentary Vice-Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan; Mr. Shigeto Kubo, Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA); Mr. Ryoichi Matsuyama, President of Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO); and Mr. Hiromi Tagawa, Chairman, Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA). A meeting was organized with Mr. Yukio Nishimura Professor at the Tokyo University Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) and a subsequent tour through the historic neighborhood of Kagurazaka. On September 27 th, for World Tourism Day, RSOAP hosted and coordinated a tour for Holly Morris to Mie Prefecture to meet with local stakeholders and to showcase the community development efforts in the region with the local Ama Divers. The 5 th East Asia Local and Regional Government Congress October 27-29, 2014 RSOAP presented at The East Asia Local and Regional Government Congress on tourism s potential impact on regional and community development and how local and regional governments can collaborate with UNWTO, in particular with the Affiliate Programme. Organized by Nara Prefecture and supported by Japan s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the event focused on three themes: Regional Economic Development, Community Development, and Tourism Promotion. Government officials from 40 regional and local East Asian districts of six countries attended. UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, Working Session, Towards a Resilient Tourism Sector Sendai, Japan March 15, 2015 RSOAP accompanied and supported Dr. Dirk Glaesser, UNWTO Director for the Sustainable Development of Tourism Programme, for the Working Session Towards a Resilient Tourism Sector. The objectives of the meeting were to discuss tourism s role to mitigate risks, plan, respond, and recover from disaster events. 5
Meetings on UNWTO 10 Year Framework Programme on Sustainable Tourism Tokyo, Japan March 16, 2015 RSOAP organized meetings to introduce the UNWTO 10 Year Framework Programme on Sustainable Tourism to Japanese stakeholders. Led by the UNWTO, tourism is one of the six programmes of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP). Dr. Dirk Glaesser met with Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), and Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA). RSOAP also organized a meeting with the Secretariat of the UNEP- 10YFP and the Institute for Global Environment Strategies (IGES) a member of the 10 Year Framework Programme on Sustainable Lifestyles and Education. This was a unique opportunity for the leads of the two programmes to meet to discuss the progress and future of the 10YFP. RSOAP seeks to serve as a coordinator between the two programmes and between the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) Members of the 10 YFP Programme. Thai Delegation Meeting April 18, 2015 Together with Nara Prefectural Government, RSOAP hosted delegates from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Thailand Immigration Bureau, The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), and the Ministry of Finance. RSOAP organized meetings between the delegates and officials of Nara Prefecture and at the Nara Kasugano International Forum IRAKA to showcase the conference space in Nara and discuss areas of future collaboration. International staff recruitment RSOAP partnered with George Washington University in Washington, D.C., with cooperation of UNWTO.Themis Foundation, Pacific Asia Travel Associatation (PATA), and Japan ASEAN Center, to recruit a Manager, a Deputy Manager and an Associate Program Officer to RSOAP. Together they form the Programme and Public Relations team. Greater Cooperation with UNWTO Volunteer Programme RSAOP collaborated closely with volunteers from UNWTO Volunteer Programme, to promote global ethics in tourism by preparing materials in Japanese. In addition, RSOAP worked with a volunteer who reported on the outcome of the UNWTO International Congress on Tourism and Pilgrimages and who supported the visit of an official from the Kumano Tourism Bureau. 6
Fostering Knowledge, Education and Capacity Publications: UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, UNWTO Tourism Highlights 2014, and UNWTO World Tourism Barometer Press Release. RSOAP translated the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and UNWTO Tourism Highlights 2014. Both are available on the UNWTO Headquarters website. RSOAP translated the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer Press release into Japanese in order to disseminate UNWTO statistics to Japanese media which is available on the Japanese version of the RSOAP website. The UNWTO Tourism Barometer Press Release is distributed to media in Japan, Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), academics, and the Japanese travel trade market. Improving Tourism Competitiveness The Growth of Cultural Tourism on the Silk Road and Opportunities for the Japanese Outbound Market Seminar at JATA Tourism EXPO Japan 2014 Tokyo, Japan September 26, 2014 Together with UNWTO Silk Road Programme, Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), RSOAP organized a seminar on The Growth of Cultural Tourism on the Silk Road and Opportunities for the Japanese Outbound Market. Secretary General Dr. Rifai and Ms. Yumi Yamaguchi, Vice- Commissioner of JTA provided opening remarks. The keynote speaker was Holly Morris, a presenter from the television show, Globe Trekker. To address the growing interest in authentic cultural experiences, presenters shared examples of Silk Road products that appeal to the Japanese, including cultural accommodations. This was followed by Mr. Peter Wong, Executive Chairman, China Chamber of Tourism and Chairman, Culture Resources of Development Co Ltd and Mr. Saba Kikhadze, CEO of Caucasus Travel and Former Chairman of State Department of Tourism and Resorts of Georgia. In addition, speakers from the private sector in Japan and in Uzbekistan gave presentations. The seminar brought together National Tourism Administrations, destination management organizations, tour operators, and media experts. The seminar aimed to discuss strategies for stakeholders to work more effectively together to optimize growth for the Japanese market along the Silk Road. Nara Tourism Statistics Week November 17-21, 2014 7
Nara Tourism Statistics Week included the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) /EUROSTAT 13 th Global Forum on Tourism Statistics and the UNWTO Special Workshop on Tourism Statistics. Nara Tourism Statistics Week marked the first time the Global Forum on Tourism Statistics took place in Asia. RSOAP worked closely with the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), Nara Prefectural Government, Nara City, and Kinki District Transport Bureau to host the international participants. At the UNWTO Special Workshop on Tourism Statistics, 192 participants from 47 countries exchanged information and ideas on how to better monitor domestic tourism and measure sustainability in tourism. Additionally, RSAOP hosted a lunch and the coffee breaks, and coordinated two excursions for the participants. Additional Activities RSOAP article contribution to the UNWTO Asia-Pacific Newsletter RSOAP assistance in the selection process of a Japanese intern to UNWTO Headquarters RSOAP collaboration with the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) to promote UNWTO events on its social media platforms 2015-2016 Activities 1. RSOAP will continue to promote and present the strategies outlined in the Sustainable Cruise Development Strategies: Tackling the Challenges in Itinerary Design in South-East Asia publication. There will be a follow-up to the report based on the needs of UNWTO Member states. 2. RSOAP will organize the UNWTO International Conference on Culture and Silk Road Tourism. The core theme is on creative tourism. The conference aims to stimulate discussion on collaborative creative tourism resource development and sustainable destination management. Speakers will exchange best practices and share recent developments designed to infuse shared heritage and contemporary creativity into today's cultural tourism market. Proposed conference topics: Cultural Heritage and Creativity along the Silk Road Cities as Creative Hubs Creative Tourism: Opportunities and Challenges Taking a Collaborative Approach to Creative Tourism 8