The contribution from the tourism industry to the economy of a developing nation can be quite a significant one especially to the local community. It is crucial that development in this segment of the economy be carefully monitored to ensure its sustainability from the perspective of the local environment and community. This will be addressed during the inaugural meeting of Asia Pacific Network for Sustainable Tourism in Bangkok, organised by PATA, which will see delegates from government, civil society and tourism trade groups around the region. Read more

Asia Pacific Network for Sustainable Tourism: Inaugural Meeting in Bangkok

11 October 2012:

The Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism is now regionalizing its work. With the engagement of PATA, an inaugural planning meeting of Asia Pacific Network for Sustainable Tourism (NEST) will be held in Bangkok on November 6-7, 2012. Up to 40 stakeholder representatives from around the region are being invited to attend. UNEP is hosting the event and will cover the cost of registration and participation for all delegates. UNEP is inviting selected countries and agencies.

The Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism had its origins from the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, which declared that “fundamental changes in the way societies produce and consume are indispensable for achieving global sustainable development.”

The global effort to encourage sustainable consumption and production, known as the Marrakech Process, fostered voluntary task forces on specific topics, including tourism. An International Task Force on Sustainable Tourism Development, chaired by France, helped support nearly 40 projects between 2006 and 2009 and had a membership of 18 countries and 25 organizations.

The members of this Task Force recommended establishing a broader institutional and financial base to continue and expand its work and build on its momentum. That led to the Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism. Now it is time to regionalise the work of the GPST.

This has commenced in the Caribbean and now planning is underway to determine interest and structure for an Asia Pacific network for sustainable tourism (Asia Pacific NEST) between international development organizations including those within the United Nations system, governments, civil society and tourism trade groups.

The mission of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism is to foster partnerships for advancing sustainable tourism principles at destinations through the adoption of clear policies, innovative and transformative projects and the sharing of knowledge and experience, with an objective to create effective partnerships for sustainable tourism.

With the engagement of PATA, an inaugural planning meeting of Asia Pacific NEST will be held in Bangkok on November 6 and 7, 2012. Up to 40 stakeholder representatives from around the region are being invited to attend.

UNEP is hosting the event and will cover the cost of registration and participation for all delegates. UNEP is inviting selected countries and agencies.

As the longest serving former Chair of PATA’s Sustainable Tourism Committee, Noakes led the PATA Board’s acceptance of the words “responsible development” and “sustainable growth” within the PATA Mission Statement, a position that required large cross-sectoral support across the membership.

PATA’s mission statement is as follows: “The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a membership association acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. In partnership with PATA’s private and public sector members, we enhance the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within the region.”

Source: www.pata.org