Tourexpi
Tourism and culture take center stage at executive training programme in Mongolia
The
19th edition of the Executive Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy
took place in Ulaanbaatar from 19 to 22 May. Co-organized with the Ministry of
Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth of Mongolia, and sponsored by the Ministry
of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, this year’s edition
focused on the theme: “Tourism and Culture: Optimizing Beneficial Impacts and
Building Resilience.”
As
the first edition to be held in Mongolia, the programme represented a milestone
for regional cooperation. Delegates were offered a unique opportunity to
experience Mongolia’s living nomadic heritage and explore the country’s
emerging potential in cultural tourism.
A
dynamic platform for policy exchange
The
event brought together 33 delegates from 21 Member States and Associate
Members, serving once again as a unique forum for high-level knowledge sharing.
The programme included an opening forum, four focused sessions, and a technical
field tour, offering a holistic understanding of how culture-led tourism can
support economic recovery, strengthen social bonds, and promote environmental
stewardship.
Led
by Professor Joseph M. Cheer, a global expert on sustainable tourism and UN
Tourism consultant, the training sessions were grounded in international best
practices, regional case studies, and future-oriented policy frameworks.
Exploring
the tourism–culture nexus
The
Opening Forum featured keynote addresses by Professor Joseph Cheer, Mr. Shin
Hyun Chul of Jeju Tourism Organization, and Mr. Battulga Tumurdash, President
of the Mongolian Tourism Organization. Together, they explored evolving trends
in cultural tourism and highlighted opportunities for innovation, creativity,
and community engagement.
The
four thematic sessions focused on:
·
Governance at the tourism–culture
interface
·
Community-led cultural tourism
·
Enterprise development and innovation
·
Future frontiers of culture-based
tourism
Countries
including Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, the Republic of Korea, Fiji, and Bhutan
shared national strategies and success stories. These underscored inclusive
approaches, strong stakeholder participation, and the safeguarding of both
tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
A
shared commitment to action
In
his opening remarks, Mr. Harry Hwang, Director of UN Tourism’s Regional
Department for Asia and the Pacific, stated:
“Culture
is not only a source of identity—it is a powerful, transformative force in
tourism. The stories, traditions, and creativity within our communities are key
to building destinations that are inclusive and resilient.”
Looking
to the future
Launched
in 2006, the UN Tourism Asia-Pacific Executive Training Programme remains a
flagship initiative in capacity building across the region. As destinations
continue to navigate recovery and transformation, the insights gained in
Ulaanbaatar will help shape tourism strategies that place sustainability,
culture, and community at their core.
Image
Credit: © UN Tourism
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