Rural development through tourism: United Nations Tourism Summit wraps up in Vietnam
The UN Tourism Conference on Tourism for Rural Development, held recently, underscored the transformative potential of tourism in rural communities. The strategic framework adopted at the conference outlined a clear path forward to strengthen and build on the Network's foundation.
Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director of UN Tourism, expressed her belief that the conference demonstrated the potential of tourism to transform rural communities. She emphasized that sustainable tourism can foster economic resilience, protect cultural heritage, and create equitable opportunities for rural communities.
One of the key initiatives of the partnership is the showcasing of Best Tourism Villages, which brings together villages recognized as Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism, as well as those in the Upgrade Programme. The conference also focused on creating training programmes and conducting joint research to support rural tourism.
Le Thanh Long, Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, commended the Tourism for Rural Development Programme by UN Tourism, stating that it aligns with Viet Nam's development strategy. The partnership aims to promote responsible tourism practices, foster technological innovation, and encourage knowledge exchange and capacity building.
The conference highlighted the power of tourism to create jobs, safeguard nature and cultural heritage, and promote social inclusion. Rural tourism provides significant employment opportunities by supporting local businesses such as guided tours, boutique lodging, festivals, and artisan food production. These activities often stimulate local entrepreneurship and indirectly generate demand for suppliers, helping diversify rural economies beyond traditional agriculture.
Tourism also encourages the maintenance and celebration of local traditions, arts, crafts, and historic landmarks by creating economic value around cultural capital. This asset-based community development approach leverages unique local culture as a foundation for sustainable tourism, ensuring cultural practices are preserved while generating income for communities.
Furthermore, tourism can foster social inclusion by involving diverse groups within rural communities in tourism-related activities and decision-making. It supports the creation of peer networks, cooperative ventures, and locally-rooted enterprises that empower residents, including youth and marginalized groups, to participate in and benefit from economic growth.
Key discussions at the conference included policy frameworks for rural tourism development, growing agriculture and tourism synergies, market access and integration, innovative digital tools, and funding mechanisms. Panelists from organizations like the Asian Development Bank, FAO, Mekong Tourism, PATA, and companies like Fliggy, Intrepid Travel, JTB, Meta, Planeterra, and Traveloka shared insights on advancing rural tourism.
The conference also focused on empowering local communities, women, and youth. UN Tourism and Fliggy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their collaboration on rural tourism development. Attendees reflected on the Network's achievements, assessed its current state, and discussed ways to improve planning, coordination, and ownership among the villages.
The Second Annual Meeting of the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Network was hosted during the conference, with 50 representatives from over 30 villages attending. Discussions provided key takeaways on integrating tourism with agriculture, ensuring inclusivity, and leveraging partnerships to drive long-term impact in rural destinations.
In conclusion, the UN Tourism Conference on Tourism for Rural Development underscored the transformative potential of sustainable tourism in rural communities. By creating jobs, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting social inclusion, tourism acts as a catalyst for rural transformation, integrating economic, social, and cultural objectives in line with sustainable development goals highlighted by the UN.
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