New Summit to Galvanise Policies on Culture and Heritage in Tourism

A dynamic new leadership summit will grapple with major challenges and opportunities of culture and heritage in tourism. Event organiser, the World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage, invites stakeholders to make their voices heard at the new annual summit, the first of which takes place in Valencia, Spain, 24-25 September.

A list of respected high-level speakers from national government organisations, lending institutions, heritage organisations, tourism departments, local communities, academia, and private sector representatives will convene for a day and a half in Valencia. They will focus on creating viable businesses and building better livelihoods for people living in heritage communities connected to tourism.

The aim of the summit is to better conserve and promote responsible cultural and heritage tourism around the world – and for tourism to be the protector of the world’s culture and heritage.

Key sessions include the case for investment in heritage destinations, balancing tourism growth with heritage conservation, the latest global trends in cultural and heritage in tourism, better capacity building, training and education. There will be a session when anyone in the delegation can contribute.

The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH) will present the Summit with host organisation Visit Valencia in the heart of Valencia, Spain – Europe’s Green Capital 2024.

“We believe that focused efforts can improve the lives and wellbeing of local communities and custodians through better implementation of best practices,” said Nigel Fell, CEO of WTACH.

A sample of the stellar line-up of international guest speakers already confirmed includes:
Rajan Data - BBC, London as Key Moderator, Dawn Drew - Summit MC, Global Tourism Destination Specialist - New York; Anne Grady - Senior Advisor to the European Parliament - Brussels; Imad Barrakad, Chairman SMIT (Morocco Agency for Tourism Development) - Rabat, Morocco; Bruce Poon Tip - Founder G Adventures, Toronto, Karl Burrows - Head of Maori Tourism Development - Tourism New Zealand - Auckland; Debbie Flynn - Managing Partner and Global Practice Leader - Finn Partners - London; Emma Nardi - President, International Council of Museums (ICOM) - Rome; Judy Kepher-Gona, Founder, Sustainable Travel & Tourism Agenda - Nairobi; Scott Wayne - President - SWA Development – Sustainable Destinations - Washington DC; Nada Hosking - National Geographic Explorer & Social Impact Leader - Austin, Texas; Miguel Angel Perez - Brands & Markets Director, Visit Valencia, Valencia.

WTACH Chairman, Chris Flynn, said the Global Leadership Summit programme has been designed to attract representatives from governments, tourism boards, leading private sector decision makers, tour operators, corporate sponsors, community representatives, NGOs, media and others.

“With the summit theme ‘Celebrating our Past – Securing our Future,’ our programme encourages attendees to contribute to new directions, priorities and attitudes towards culture and heritage in tourism,” said Flynn.

While the summit formally concludes on the evening of 25 September, there will be optional training on the morning of the 26th for culture and heritage tourism practitioners. Spaces are limited to 25.

An early bird registration for the event is only available until 7 July. Visit https://wtachgls.com.

About World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage

WTACH seeks to establish clear goals, objectives and strategies for the protection of cultural heritage through responsible and sustainable tourism practices. Working in collaboration with public, private and specialist academic sector organisations, WTACH determines best practice ethical principles and standards in line with the most robust global research available. WTACH was established in 2018 by Chris Flynn, formerly Director – Pacific, at the Pacific Asia Travel Association. WTACH is based in New South Wales, Australia. Visit https://www.wtach.org. Email: info@WTACH.org

About Visit Valencia

VISIT VALÈNCIA is a non-profit Foundation, in which the Valencia City Council, the Chamber of Commerce, Feria València and the Valencian Business Confederation participate together alongside other local tourism companies. Its objective is the strategic management and promotion of tourism in the city of Valencia, with an approach that combines public and private interest. Since its creation in 1991, the Foundation has contributed to the evolution of tourism in the city, promoting employment, tourism development and increased economic impact, factors that have had a direct impact on the well-being of Valencian society.

Visit Valencia Media Contacts
Emma Westman, Black Diamond: emma@blackdiamond.co.uk
Maria Costa Lobo, Black Diamond: maria@blackdiamond.co.uk

*Source: WTACH , Mr Ken Scott, ScottAsia Communications E: kens@scottasia.net