Tourism for All!
Accessible Tourism for all is about the creation of environments that can cater for the needs of all of us, whether we are traveling or staying at home. May that be due to a disability, even temporary, families with small children, or the ageing population, at some point in our lives, sooner or later, we all benefit of universal accessibility in tourism, said Taleb Rifai, Secretary General World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
He also announced this years venue Bangkok, Thailand.
Talib Rifai: “Which is why, we want to call upon the right for all of the world’s citizens to experience the incredible diversity of our planet and the beauty of the world we live in. On this year’s World Tourism Day help us spread the word of both the importance and immense benefits universal accessibility has and can bring to society at large.
#tourism4all #WTD2016
Ever since its inception, World Tourism Day is celebrated on 27 September to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. As the official day set aside in the United Nations Calendar the celebration seeks to highlight tourisms potential to contribute to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing some of the most pressing challenges society is faced with today.
Tourism for All – Promoting universal accessibility
This year the host country is Thailand with Bangkok and Khon Khan Province,26. – 29th. september 2016
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME
Monday, 26 September 2016
Tourism in the Media
Workshop: the role of media in advocating Universal Accessibility
14:00 h Opening
Representative of UNWTO
Representative of PATA
Representative Government of Thailand
14:30 h Presentation by UNWTO on Accessibility
15:00 h Presentation by an expert on Accessibility: what the term involves, what are its implications, different levels and frameworks of Accessibility, social impact and Accessibility in destination branding
Q & A
15:30 h Debate on tackling accessibility from the media perspective, the various angles and the appropriate coverage with media representatives
Q & A
16:30 h Conclusions : the 10 principles of tackling Accessibility in the Media
19:00 h Welcome Cocktail at Siam Niramit BANGKOK. Siam Niramit is a journey to the enchanted Kingdom of Siam, one of the largest stage productions in the world and an excellent introduction to Thailand’s history and culture.
Tbc
Signing ceremony of the Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism by a small group of tourism companies from Thailand/ASEAN
.
Tuesday, 27 September 2016
Venue: Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok
08:00 – 09:00 h Registration
09:00 – 09:30 h Opening Ceremony
Local Authorities (tbc)
Mr. Mario Hardy, Chief Executive Officer Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
(tbc)
Mr. David Scowsill, President & CEO World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
(tbc)
H.E. Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports,Thailand
(tbc)
Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary – General ,World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
Launch of Thailand’s National Tourism Strategic Plan
09:30-09:45 h Keynote speech
09:45-10:00 h Keynote speech on Tourism and Accessibility by Mr. Ivor Ambrose,European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT)
10:00 – 10: 30h coffee break
10:45 – 12:00 h Session 1 Tourism for All : Defining an adequate regulatory framework
Moderator: CNN representative
The session will discuss different approaches in developing an adequate policy and regulatory framework aimed at making ‘Tourism for All’ a reality and paving the path for concrete business development strategies.
The challenges of efficient awareness raising programmes and training schemes targeting both decision makers and tourism professionals will be also raised.
12:00-13:30h Lunch
12:00–12:30 h Press Conference H.E. Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports
Thailand (tbc)
Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General,World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
14:00-15:00 h Session 2 Investing in universal accessibility:A major business opportunity for all
Moderator: Anita Mendiratta
This session will discuss innovative strategies in the development of accessible tourism infrastructure, products and services which add value to destinations and enhance their competitiveness on the global tourism market. The best practices to be featured therein will testify why investing
in accessibility brings benefits to all stakeholders, while improving the overallnquality of life of both visitors and locals.
15:30 –16:30h Session 3 How the media can help to advocate accessible tourism
Moderated by CNN
The session will be structured in three aspects: (i) role of media in advocating Accessibility from an ethical journalistic perspective, (ii) best media practices in covering and promoting Accessibility and (iii) major challenges and opportunities brought by a responsible and professional coverage of Accessibility – related issues
16:30 – 17:00h Closing ceremony
17:45–18:45h Visit Wat hrachetuponwimonmonkhararam (Wat Pho). The Wat Pho temple,situated in Bangkok,is regarded the first centre of public education and is sometimes called Thailand’s first university.
19:00-21:00 h Dinner at the Night Museum
Wednesday and Thursday ,28 and 29 September 2016
(Khon Khan Province)
Wednesday 28 – Technical visit to Khon Kaen Province (By Charter flight)
Gala Dinner hosted by Khon Khan Province
Stay at Centara Grand Khon Khan
Thursday 29
Leave from Khon Khan to Bangkok
