World Responsible Tourism Day

The aim of June 2nd Day is to make all the people involved in tourism industry sensitive about the concept of Responsible Tourism. The first edition has been organised on June 2nd 2007 under the theme: "No to Sexual Tourism, borderless crimes".

This first edition was also organised in different countries in the world: Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Togo, Senegal & Niger.

International conferences will be organised every year on June 2nd.

The main event will be organised in Paris (France). Other events will be organised around the world thanks to the committment to the members of the International Coalition.

In 2011, chosen theme is: "Sustainable Tourism: the question of certification "; South Africa Destination has the place of honour.

In 2012, main topic of the World Responsible Tourism Day will be

"Sustainable Tourism faced to Climate Change:
through a relocalisation of tourism markets?"

A country will be at the honor place to debate about the problems of climate change & sustainable tourism on those territories.

The World Day will be celebrate all around the world by stakeholders involved to sustainable tourism.

June 2nd 2011:« Sustainable Tourism: the question of Certification »

In France

IN FRANCE

June 1st : Word Responsible Tourism Day- Paris

The 5th edition of the World Responsible Tourism Day will be held exceptionally on Wednesday 1 June this year and not on June 2nd as each year due to public holiday in France on June 2nd, 2011.

Featured Country: South Africa

While the number of labels and certifications are steadily increasing, tourism industry really do not know who to turn to validate their actions, to evaluate their behavior and distinguish themselves commercially.
The International Coalition for Responsible Tourism would therefore make an assessment at the 5th edition of the World Responsible Tourism Day on the issue of certification and especially to hold the concrete experiences in this field both in North & South countries.
World Responsible Tourism Day 2011 will therefore meet the following key issues:

What are the differences, interests, requirements and interactions of different labels and certification in sustainable tourism?
What are the experiences, practices, initiatives, ground realities and needs of different countries and territories to promote responsible tourism?
Is the label the only guarantee for responsible tourism?
Do we need a general accreditation of the tourism sector?
What are the alternatives to certification?

South Africa will be showcased in the heart of a roundtable discussion in the afternoon to think about scientific experts, professionals and institutions, to discuss the experiences of field workers and to find solutions that will allow stakeholders in this country to better understand the issue of certification.
The International Coalition for Responsible Tourism already called all the tourism professionals in France and internationally, to book June 1st 2011 Day exceptionally this year because of holiday on June 2 in France and to join to provide feedback on the issue of certification in their country.

Download the invitation

Download (click here) for the invitation of the fifth edition of thel World Day which will held on 1 June 2011 in Paris.

Program

Program is not definitive

Wednesday 1st June - PARIS

Regional Council of Ile-de-France - Hall Chamber
57, rue de Babylone 75007 Paris

9.40: Public Home

10h00: Opening of the World Day for Responsible Tourism by Mr Gerard Feldzer, president of the Regional Committee of Tourism Ile-de-France, by officials of the International Coalition and Mr Bernard Schéou, a researcher at University of Toulouse.

10h20: Back on the 4th edition of the World Day to provide an update on the theme "Tourism and Rural Heritage" by Jean-Claude Mairal, president of the Platform "Cooperation and Responsible Tourism."

10.30: Presentation of the 2011 theme "Sustainable Tourism: What guarantees? " By Bernard Schéou, a researcher at the University of Toulouse

11h15: Roundtable from experiences and approaches of operators engaged in sustainable tourism.

Exchange between different tour operators carry a label or certification (ATR, ATES, SNAV, etc.).

12:30: Lunch Break

14.00: Presentation of the featured country: South Africa's approach and Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA)

Exchange between the Office of Tourism of South Africa, and the FTTSA Kuoni Switzerland.

15h15: Roundtable: The label, a solution to sustainable tourism development?

Exchange between different companies and tourist areas carry labels and certifications (Earthcheck, Owl Nature, ISO 26000, European Ecolabel, etc.).

16:45: Round table: The role of institutions in recognition of committed professionals in sustainable tourism

Enchage between the Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and other institutional actors.

17h45: Conclusion by the International Coalition for Responsible Tourism and tourism experts.

18h00: End of World Day for Responsible Tourism by the representatives of the Coalition for Responsible Tourism and Bernard Schéou, a researcher at the University of Toulouse