Training Report: Travel South over Cloud South-South Cooperation in Promoting Tourism for Sustainable Development Against the Backdrop of COVID-19 Recovery
by UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) | Cities Project | Published in March 2021
The COVID-19 crisis is a major shock for the most vulnerable people and developing countries. Its impact on tourism places further pressure on heritage conservation in the cultural sector. The recovery of tourism destinations and businesses will largely rely on their capacities to utilize new technologies and digital innovations. Aligned with the “Build Back Better” approach and the Cities Project of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), the webinar series “Travel South Over Cloud: South-South Cooperation in Promoting Tourism for Sustainable Development against the Backdrop of COVID-19 Recovery” was organized between August and December 2024. The series was made possible by the collaboration with the Institutional Relations and Partnerships, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the National Association of Mexican World Heritage Cities (ANCMPM), the International Council for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Mexico, the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (WHITR-AP), and the China Association of Trade in Services (CATIS).
Representatives from UN entities, cities, and local authorities, IGOs, NGOs, think tanks, and the private sector from the global South, were invited to exchange good practices and experiences in leverage digitization for the growth and recovery of tourism and to facilitate partnership brokering among multiple stakeholders from the global South for sustainable tourism.
- South-South Cooperation on Leveraging Digitalization for the Recovery and Growth of Tourism, broadcasted in August 2024
- Leveraging Digital Innovation in Promoting Tourism Development in World Cultural Heritage Cities in the Context of COVID-19, broadcasted in November 2024
- Showcasing Good Practice in Promoting Creative Economy and E-commerce for Tourism Recovery, broadcasted in December 2024
- China-Mexico South-South Experience Exchange: Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism Development in Cities, broadcasted in January 2021
Representatives from UN entities, cities and local authorities, IGOs, NGOs, think tanks, and the private sector from the global South, were invited to exchange good practices and experiences in leverage digitization for the growth and recovery of tourism and to facilitate partnership brokering among multiple stakeholders from the global South for sustainable tourism.
- South-South Cooperation on Leveraging Digitalization for the Recovery and Growth of Tourism, broadcasted in August 2024
- Leveraging Digital Innovation in Promoting Tourism Development in World Cultural Heritage Cities in the Context of COVID-19, broadcasted in November 2024
- Showcasing Good Practice in Promoting Creative Economy and E-commerce for Tourism Recovery, broadcasted in December 2024
- China-Mexico South-South Experience Exchange: Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism Development in Cities, broadcasted in January 2021
The webinar series achieved its expected results with approximately 1,026,000 live views received globally and good practices and knowledge from 11 countries, 24 cities, and local authorities showcased: Henan Province (China), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Dunhuang (China), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Fiji (Tourism Fiji), Venice (Italy), Ministry of Tourism (Khiva, Uzbekistan), Changsha (China), Alanya (Turkey), Baguio (Philippines), Dunhuang (China), Anyang (China), Luoyang (China), Huai’an (China), Rwanda (UNECA), South Africa (Africa Business Group), Durango, Guanajuato, Morelia, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, San Miguel de Allende, and Zacatecas. Moreover, it fostered city-to-city South-South cooperation partnership for advancing sustainable tourism, which is evidenced by speakers expressing strong interest in collaborating with other cities at the webinars and in post-webinar surveys.
Access the full report here