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MEMBERS and stakeholders of ST-EP Foundation, which falls under the auspices of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, will meet on August 27 in Victoria Falls to discuss forms of sustainable tourism for poverty alleviation.The forum will include a panel discussion, titled “10 Years of ST-EP Initiative: Turning Tourism into an Engine for Socio-Economic Growth”. The discussions will be held within the framework of the UNWTO General Assembly being co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia in Victoria Falls and Livingstone from August 24 to August 29.
The UNWTO ST-EP Foundation and the WTO are organising the ST-EP Forum to learn the important role tourism can play in promoting socio-economic development.
In a letter of invitation to the forthcoming forum UNWTO secretary general Mr Taleb Rifai and ST-EP Foundation board chairperson Mr Yong Shim Dho confirmed the meeting of the foundation’s beneficiary members will take place on August 27.
The key objective of this forum is to share experiences gained and lessons learned in the development and promotion of sustainable forms of tourism in selected destinations as a means to create sustainable livelihoods,” the two said.
Over 10 years ago, at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002, the UNWTO launched the ST-EP initiative to help reduce poverty levels through developing and promoting sustainable forms of tourism.
Over the past 10 years, the ST-EP initiative, being successfully implemented through valuable partnerships with selected governments, NGOs and private sector organisations, has built a portfolio of over 100 tourism development projects across Africa, Asia, Americas, Middle East and Europe.
The past decade witnessed an increased awareness of tourism’s key contribution to poverty alleviation by governments and international organisations alike, including the United Nations which recognises tourism’s potential contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
To that end the ST-EP forum will be held in Victoria Falls on August 27 at The Elephant Hills Hotel within the framework of the UNWTO General Assembly.
The key objective of this ST-EP Forum is to share the experiences that have been gained and lessons learned in the development and promotion of sustainable forms of tourism in selected destinations to create sustainable livelihoods.
Zimbabwe and Zambia will this month make history as the second and third countries in Africa ever to host the UNWTO General Assembly, which Zimbabwe seeks to use as a rebranding platform to boost gains from the tourism sector.
Online Reporter