Seeking to advance use of innovation and cutting-edge technologies into cultural tourism practices, destinations and products, the International Seminar on Harnessing Cultural Tourism through Innovation and Technology will be held in Hamedan, Iran alongside the 40th UNWTO Affiliate Members Plenary Session (12-14 November 2018).

The seminar recognizes the significance of innovation in managing and promoting cultural tourism, which is one of the largest global tourism markets, and the opportunities of integrating innovative governance into the management of cultural tourism destinations. Through disrupting the sector and creating opportunities for improving governance, competitiveness and cultural resource preservation, innovation and technology are instrumental in enhancing cultural tourism development.

The seminar will feature three panels, exploring how big data, innovative business models, digital services and marketing, and other new technology can ensure long-term sustainability, profitability and competitiveness for cultural tourism products while preserving their authenticity. The keynote panel will explore how innovation and technology generate new opportunities for, and motivate new players to enter, the cultural tourism sector.

An estimated 4 out of 10 tourists choose their destination based on its cultural offering. The conference will explore how this choice is increasingly motivated by intangible factors such as a place’s culture, history, traditions and atmosphere, or its association with famous people, ideas or events.

Host city Hamedan, historically home to Iran’s famous scientists and poets, is nowadays known for its rich heritage of handicrafts, namely pottery design. The small town of Lalejin in Hamedan Province was designated the World Pottery Capital by the World Crafts Council on July 2016. Nearby Alisadr, the world’s largest water cave, is another renowned tourist attraction.

The seminar, which also spans the UNWTO Affiliate Members’ 40th plenary, is jointly organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handcraft and Tourism Organization, and Alisadr Tourism Company.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today welcomes Luis Araújo, President, Turismo de Portugal, as our newest Member and Destination Partner.

Mr. Araújo joins peers from Visit California, NYC & Company, Las Vegas Convention & Visitor Authority, and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority to become our fifth Destination Partner in five months. This announcement thus marks WTTC’s first formal alliance/affiliation with a Destination Partner based in Europe.

The Destination Partner membership category – our newest member classification – amplifies the voice of major National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) and Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) from across the globe, and will serve to tackle issues within the Travel & Tourism sector such as overcrowding and crisis preparedness.

WTTC’s partnership with Turismo de Portugal follows a hugely successful joint-event hosted in Lisbon this month. On 11 September, WTTC and Turismo Portugal welcomed over 150 CEOs, Ministers and industry leaders from across Europe at our inaugural Europe Leaders Forum, to discuss key issues affecting the region’s Travel & Tourism sector including travel facilitation, sustainable growth, and the future of work.

Luis Araújo serves as President of Turismo de Portugal, the country’s national authority responsible for the promotion and development of tourism. Mr. Araújo was appointed President of Turismo de Portugal in 2016 following a varied career in law and government both in Portugal and Latin America. In his current role, Mr. Araújo is responsible for promoting the Portuguese brand, attracting sector investments, and overseeing training provisions of Travel & Tourism workers in Portugal.

Gloria Guevara, President and CEO, WTTC, said, “I am so pleased to officially welcome Luis Araújo as a Member and Partner of WTTC.

“Portugal is a well-established destination with its Travel & Tourism sector boasting a growth rate that is three times faster than the country’s economy as a whole. Indeed, Portugal’s sector is healthy and growing. According to WTTC, in 2017, tourism contributed 17% to Portugal’s GDP and supported 1 in 5 of all jobs there.

“The inclusion of Turismo de Portugal as a Destination Partner helps to broaden WTTC’s representation of the global Travel & Tourism sector, allowing us to more effectively advocate for tourism actors and key issues worldwide.”

Luis Araújo commented, “I am delighted to formally join the WTTC as a Destination Partner, and am wholly confident that this newfound partnership will be a great one for tourism in Portugal, strengthening our travel network and knowledge-sharing opportunities. Our recent collaboration at the Europe Leaders Forum led to a dynamic, thoughtful, and truly special event, which makes me hopeful for our new partnership and future ventures.”

eTurboNews is a media partner for WTTC.

BANGKOK, October 8, 2018 — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is set to organise the PATA Annual Summit 2020 from May 15-18 in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The announcement was made by PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy during the PATA Board Meeting on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Langkawi International Convention Centre in Langkawi, Malaysia.

The four-day event, to be hosted by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), will bring together international thought leaders, industry shapers and senior decision-makers who are professionally engaged with the Asia Pacific region.

PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy said, “Ras Al Khaimah has committed to supporting cultural, natural heritage and environmental preservation across the emirate, activities which are aligned with PATA’s mission in acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. That is why we are honoured to be working with RAKTDA in bringing together our public and private sector members and partners to discuss the challenges and issues facing our industry.”

The Summit embraces a global forum for enhancing the sustainable growth, value and quality of tourism and includes a one-day conference, the PATA Annual General Meeting and the PATA Youth Symposium that allows students and young tourism professionals the opportunity to engage with senior industry leaders.

As part of the event programme, PATA in partnership with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will also once again organise the UNWTO/PATA Leaders Debate which brings together senior executives from both the public and private sector to address thought-provoking issues currently affecting the industry.

Commenting on the announcement, Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said, “We look forward to hosting the PATA Annual Summit 2020 in Ras Al Khaimah and introducing the destination to key international industry leaders and delegates from the travel and hospitality sector in the Asia Pacific region. Strengthening the Emirate’s MICE offer by showcasing our world class resorts, beautiful coastline and abundance of cultural and outdoor adventure experiences, will form an integral part of our Destination strategy as we aim to attract three million visitors by 2025.”

With over 7,000 years of fascinating history and culture, Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect getaway from everyday life. Offering magnificent landscapes, breath-taking coastlines and rich, terracotta desert planes, the emirate is an ideal getaway for both leisure and adventure travel as well as for business travellers.

With year-long sunshine and 64 kilometres of white sandy beaches, just 45 minutes from the busy metropolis of Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah presents an extensive selection of exclusive outdoor activities from mountain biking and kayaking to desert safaris, fishing and golf. Travellers can also have the unique experience of trekking the tallest mountain in the UAE, Jebel Jais, and descending via the world’s longest zipline. These experiences dovetail well with the premium accommodation, the eclectic selection of international gourmet experiences and the world class spas.