New Summit launched to tackle global challenges of culture and heritage in tourism
The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage is launching a dynamic new leadership summit to help grapple with major challenges and opportunities of culture and heritage in tourism. Stakeholders are invited to make their voices heard at the summit, the first of which takes place in Valencia, Spain, 24th-25th September.
WTACH Chairman, Chris Flynn, said the Global Leadership Summit programme has been designed to attract representatives from governments, tourism boards, leading private sector decision makers, tour operators, corporate sponsors, community representatives, NGOs, media and others.
“With the summit theme ‘Celebrating our Past – Securing our Future,’ our programme encourages attendees to contribute to new directions, priorities and attitudes towards culture and heritage in tourism,” said Flynn.
The aim of the summit is to better conserve and promote responsible cultural and heritage tourism around the world – and for tourism to be the protector of the world’s culture and heritage.
Key sessions include the case for investment in heritage destinations, balancing tourism growth with heritage conservation, the latest global trends in cultural and heritage in tourism, better capacity building, training and education. There will be a session when anyone in the delegation can contribute.
Nigel Fell, Chief Executive of WTACH shares “we believe that focused efforts can improve the lives and wellbeing of local communities and custodians through better implementation of best practices.”
Key sessions include the case for investment in heritage destinations, balancing tourism growth with heritage conservation, the latest global trends in cultural and heritage in tourism, better capacity building, training and education. There will be a session when anyone in the delegation can contribute.
A list of respected high-level speakers from national government organisations, lending institutions, heritage organisations, tourism departments, local communities, academia, and private sector representatives will convene for a day and a half in Valencia. They will focus on creating viable businesses and building better livelihoods for people living in heritage communities connected to tourism.
A sample of the stellar line-up of international guest speakers already confirmed includes: Rajan Data - BBC, London as Key Moderator, Dawn Drew - Summit MC, Global Tourism Destination Specialist - New York; Anne Grady - Senior Advisor to the European Parliament - Brussels; Imad Barrakad, Chairman SMIT (Morocco Agency for Tourism Development) - Rabat, Morocco; Bruce Poon Tip - Founder G Adventures, Toronto, Karl Burrows - Head of Maori Tourism Development - Tourism New Zealand - Auckland; Debbie Flynn - Managing Partner and Global Practice Leader - Finn Partners - London; Emma Nardi - President, International Council of Museums (ICOM) - Rome; Judy Kepher-Gona, Founder, Sustainable Travel & Tourism Agenda - Nairobi; Scott Wayne - President - SWA Development – Sustainable Destinations - Washington DC; Nada Hosking - National Geographic Explorer & Social Impact Leader - Austin, Texas; Miguel Angel Perez - Brands & Markets Director, Visit Valencia, Valencia.
The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH) will present the Summit with host organisation Visit Valencia in the heart of Valencia, Spain – Europe’s Green Capital 2024.
While the summit formally concludes on the evening of 25th September, there will be optional training on the morning of the 26th for culture and heritage tourism practitioners. Spaces are limited to 25.
An early bird registration for the event is only available until 7th July. Visit wtachgls.com
Image: A selection of speakers who will exchange ideas at the inaugural summit on culture and heritage in tourism, which will take place in Valencia, Spain 24th-25th September.
