Second UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture

Preliminary Programme

Second UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference
on Tourism and Culture

Fostering Sustainable Development
(Muscat, Sultanate of Oman / 11-12 December 2017)

The Second World Conference on Tourism and Culture will take place at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre. Conference materials will be translated into English and French, while simultaneous interpretation during the conference will be provided in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic.

For a complete overview of the practical information related to the Conference, please download the General Information Note.

Download General Information Note

Download Draft Programme

Conference Programme

Conference Programme

Sunday, 10 December, 2017

08:30 - 16:30	Pre-conference tours • Option 1: Morning City tour • Option 2: Old Muscat Tour
10:00 - 20:00	Registration

Monday, 11 December, 2017

08:00 - 09:30	Registration
09:30 - 10:30	Opening Ceremony Welcome remarks by H.E. Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi, Minister of Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman Remarks by Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General, UNWTO Remarks by Director-General, UNESCO
10:30 - 11:00	Coffee Break
11:00 - 13:30	Ministerial Dialogue: Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development The Ministerial Dialogue will address the policy and governance frameworks necessary to foster sustainable development models between tourism and culture to support responsible, culturally-aware, and inclusive tourism that contribute to the socio-economic development of host communities, promote cross-cultural exchanges, and generate resources for the safeguarding of tangible and intangible heritage. It will also explore the contribution of Tourism and Culture to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
13:30 - 15:30	Lunch
13:30 - 14:00	Press Conference
15:30 - 17:00	Special Dialogue: Cultural Tourism as a Factor of Peace and Prosperity
19:00 - 21:00	Welcome dinner

Tuesday, 12 December, 2017

09:30 - 11:00	Session 1: Tourism development and protection of cultural heritage Promoting responsible and sustainable tourism management at World Heritage sites especially within emerging tourism destination The role of communication/ interpretation at cultural heritage site in promoting sustainability Meeting the aspirations of communities on safeguarding and promoting their intangible culture heritage
11:00 - 11:30	Coffee Break
11:30 - 13:00	Session 2: Culture and tourism in urban development and creativity Encouraging innovation in cultural tourism products and services through creative industries Tourism Experience design for urban cultural heritage tourism Creating business opportunities in cultural tourism from the creative sector Socio-economic benefits of creative cities and sustainable urban development
13:00 - 15:00	Lunch
15:00 - 16:30	Session 3: Exploring cultural landscape in tourism Integrating natural and cultural heritage philosophies and procedures for sustainable tourism development Creating new methods of recognition and support for the interconnected character of the natural, cultural and social value of highly significant land and seascapes through sustainable tourism Cross-culture differences and experiences in the nature/culture interface especially in Eco-tourism products Developing and promoting signature cultural tourism programmes of thematic visitor itineraries Sustainable development of rural areas through SMEs
16:30 - 17:30	Closing Session: Towards the 2030 Agenda Conclusions of the conference and future steps Muscat Declaration
20:00 - 22:00	Farewell Dinner