Cultural Tourism
To create a discerning type of tourism that takes account of other people’s cultures
It is a well-known fact that tourism can be a deadly foe as much as a firm friend in the matter of development. Considering the economic might of the tourist industry—now regarded as the biggest in the world ahead of automobiles and chemicals—careful attention should be paid to this many-sided phenomenon with its global repercussions. The impact of tourism is such that progressive strategies are vitally needed in order to prepare the ground for genuinely progressive international, regional and local strategies.
It is UNESCO’s intention to assist the 191 Member States in preparing their policies while reconsidering the relationship between tourism and cultural diversity, tourism and intercultural dialogue, and tourism and development. In this way, the Organization proposes to contribute to the fight against poverty, protection of the environment and mutual appreciation of cultures.
Pilot projects in the world:
Tourism, Culture and Development in West Africa
Innovative and interdisciplinary approaches in the Aral Sea Basin
First Meeting of the UNESCO/UNITWIN Network “Culture, Tourism and Development”
Revised Plan of Action for International Co-operation on Tourism management in Heritage Cities
Second Meeting of the UNESCO/UNITWIN Network « Culture, Tourism and Development »
Innovative Policies for Heritage Safeguarding and Cultural Tourism Development
The Sahara of cultures and people: towards a strategy for the sustainable development of tourism in the Sahara, in the context of combating poverty
WTO global code of ethics on tourism
World Summit on Eco-Tourism held in Quebec
Workshop on Sustainable Tourism Development in World Heritage Sites: Planning for Hue
UNESCO Vision and Activities on "Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development"
Tourism, culture and development in the Arab region: supporting culture to develop tourism, developing tourism to support culture
The Sahara of cultures and men
Strategy for sustainable tourism development in the Sahara
Plan of action of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity
L'etica del turismo cultural (The Ethics of Cultural Tourism)
International Cultural Tourism Charter
The Globalization of Tourism
Making Tourism Sustainable
Towards an ethics of tourism
Tourism and Culture: Rethinking the Mix
Case study on the effects of tourism on culture and the environment: Nepal
Case study on the effects of tourism on culture and the environment: Cambodia
Ms Katerina STENOU
Division of Cultural Policies and Intercultural Dialogue
Director of Division