Event
UNESCO and partners launch first in a series of webinars on achieving sustainable tourism in ASEAN Waterside Cities
Under the auspices of UNESCO and in collaboration with distinguished partners DASTA, ASEAN-Türkiye Cooperation, CRIHAP, K11, ONYX Hospitality Group, The City Connext, and BConsulting Cambodia, UNESCO is delighted to announce the first in a seris of webinars, Unlocking Potential: Is Community-Based Tourism a Sustainable Business Model in ASEAN Waterway Locales?, to be held on Friday, 24 November 2023. This webinar initiates the project, Enhancing Sustainable Tourism in ASEAN Waterside Cities, which aims to empower community-based tourism.
This virtual gathering is the first of a comprehensive series of webinars and workshops designed to stimulate sustainable and inclusive travel discussions. It will spotlight the significant strides in community-based travel, showcasing business models thriving in waterside destinations within the ASEAN region.
Event Insights:
The webinar will probe the effectiveness and sustainability of community-based tourism, discuss state-of-the-art trends, and share experiences vital to the operation of such initiatives.
Key discussions will be led by notable experts:
- Jaranya Daengnoy, Director, The Thailand Community Based Tourism Institute (CBT-I), a pioneer in fostering community involvement in tourism, whose leadership has been instrumental in promoting sustainable tourism practices.
- Asst. Prof. Kannapa Pongponrat, of Thammasat University, Bangkok, whose extensive research and hands-on projects in sustainable tourism and water management have significantly contributed to shaping resilient community development strategies.
- Nick Ray, Advisor from Hanuman Travel, a prominent author for Lonely Planet, whose rich history as a journalist and tour leader has been augmented by his experiences in scouting and managing locations for film and television. His firsthand explorations across the region lend a vivid, narrative quality to his insights.
- Inthy Duanesavanh, CEO of Green Discovery Lao PDR, who will share his transformative experience in guiding communities towards sustainable tourism, demonstrating the practical application of conservation efforts that simultaneously uplift local economies and preserve ecosystems.
- Sappawat Kantamara, Strategic Marketing and Sustainability Management, Find Folk (Thailand), whose innovative approaches to integrating sustainability into marketing strategies have highlighted the value of responsible tourism practices in the market.
The session will be moderated by Korakot 'Nym' Punlopruksa, whose expertise in food and travel documentary production brings a unique perspective to the event.
Invitation to Participate
We encourage professionals and stakeholders from the travel and tourism sector in ASEAN countries to participate in this event. Attendees will have the opportunity to contribute to vital conversations that will shape the trajectory of sustainable tourism in ASEAN waterside communities.
Join us in our commitment to fostering a sustainable and inclusive future for tourism in ASEAN waterside cities.
Event Details
Date: Friday, 24 November 2023
Time: 09.30–12.00 (GMT+7)
Location: Hosted on Zoom
To register, please visit our page.
For more information and the webinar agenda, please visit our or scan the QR code.
Agenda of Webinar 1
09.30–09.45
Opening session
- Opening remarks by Director-General of DASTA
- Congratulatory remarks by Deputy Director-General of CRIHAP
09.45–09.50
Introduction
- by Ms Soohyun Kim, Director, UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok
09.50–11.30
Panel discussion
Guest speakers:
- Jaranya Deangnoy,
Director, Thailand Community Based Tourism Institute (CBT-I) - Asst. Prof. Kannapa Pongponrat Chieochan,
College of Innovation, Thammasat University (Thailand) - Nick Ray,
Lonely Planet writer for Cambodia, Laos PDR and Viet Nam / Tourism consultant with the World Bank - Inthy Duanesavanh,
CEO, Green Discovery (Lao PDR) - Sappawat Kantamara,
Strategic Marketing and Sustainability Management, Find Folk (Thailand)
Moderator/MC: Korakot ‘Nym’ Punlopruksa
Questions from the moderator:
- Can CBT be a sustainable business model?
- How do CBT initiatives integrate local communities in their operational models to ensure inclusivity and equitable benefits? What are the key challenges in aligning community aspirations with tourism development, and how can these be addressed?
- In what ways does CBT contribute to environmental conservation and the resilience of waterway locales? How do CBT business models adapt to, and mitigate the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation?
- Can you share examples of innovative practices of CBT that have enhanced the sustainability and appeal of tourism offerings? Looking to the future, how can ASEAN CBT evolve to remain competitive and sustainable in the global tourism landscape?
11.30–12.00
Panel discussion and Q&A session
12.00–12.05
Conclusion
- Closing remarks by Director-General of DASTA
12.05–12.10
Announcements
- The second webinar (Zoom) to be on 3 February 2024
- Call for applications to participate in an on-site networking workshop in Nan Old City, Thailand (4–7 February 2024)
About the Project
Enhancing Sustainable Tourism in ASEAN Waterside Cities is a pioneering initiative designed to leverage local communities' unique cultural and natural heritage, thus fostering sustainable development and regional cooperation.
We look forward to seeing you at each of our six webinars of the series, and to collaborating with you on sustainable tourism development in our waterside communities.
For press inquiries or further details:
Please contact City Connext
- Anawit Jitmana +66-65-895-6323
- Thatsanavanh Banchong +66-87-706-5030
- Email address: cityconnext(at)gmail.com
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