PATA’s Creative Concept of ‘Good Tourism’ Adopted by UNESCO in China

Posted: Mon 12 Dec, 2011

December 12, 2011, Bangkok: UNESCO’s Funds-in-Trust Project named “Good Tourism” was launched in Yanoda, a Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone in Hainan province, China on December 3, 2011.

“Inspired by the ‘Rise of Good Tourism’ session during the PATA 60th Anniversary & Conference, UNESCO has initiated the project on “Good Tourism” in China to advocate for mutually supportive and beneficial interaction among travellers, tourism policy-makers, entrepreneurs, tourism operators, managers, scenic spots and local communities in China. The aim is to pursue the sustainable development of tourism,” said Beatrice Kaldun, Programme Specialist for Culture in the UNESCO Beijing office.

‘Good Tourism’ was first introduced at the PATA 60th Anniversary & Conference in Beijing, April 2011. It is a new balancing concept following ‘eco-tourism’, ’green tourism’, ‘low-carbon tourism’ and ‘responsible tourism’.

“We are grateful for UNESCO’s initiative to promote the PATA concept of ‘Good Tourism’ in China,” said Martin Craigs, PATA CEO. “The days of labelling tourism based on its particular contribution, i.e. environment, community or local heritage are receding. PATA believes that tomorrow’s industry should instead aspire to ‘Good Tourism’ -- that is tourism which is both balanced and sustainable and delivers a range of different benefits,” said Craigs.

UNESCO will collaborate with tourism authorities and industry players, researchers and consumers in China to debate the concept. The aim is to form guidelines for tourism industry stakeholders, including travellers.

The Good Tourism Project implementation will take two years. Hainan Provincial Tourism Development Commission will provide necessary support. The Yanoda Rain Forest Cultural Tourism Zone will become the first research site for the Good Tourism project and offer funds and necessary support for project implementation. The project outputs will be disseminated in China and other parts of the world.

PATA member, Prof. Walter Jamieson of Thammasat University in Bangkok and Prof. Zou Tongqian, Dean of the Tourism School at Beijing International Studies University, will drive the project. PATA Regional Director - Greater China, Kate Chang, attended the launch ceremony and introduced PATA and its Good Tourism related initiatives in China.

-ENDS-

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About PATA

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism within the Asia Pacific region. This year, PATA is proud to celebrate 60 dynamic years of developing responsible tourism.

In partnership with private and public sector members, PATA enhances the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within, the region.

The Association provides leadership and counsel on an individual and collective basis to over 80 government, state and city tourism bodies; nearly 50 international airlines, airports and cruise lines and many hundreds of travel industry companies across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

Thousands of travel professionals belong to 41 active PATA chapters worldwide and participate in a wide range of PATA and industry events. PATA’s Strategic Intelligence Centre (SIC) offers unrivalled aggregated data and insights. This included Asia Pacific inbound and outbound statistics, analyses and forecasts and in-depth reports on strategic analysis. For more information, please visit www.PATA.org