- Interview with the World Tourism Organization deputy director of the Department of Sustainable Development, Ms. Sophia
In the tourism industry is flourishing and now, the endless stream of tourism development projects, whether it will bring the natural and ecological destruction? Culture set up the stage for economic and tourism for many years, the former feeding the latter two can? With these questions, this reporter in the First China International Cultural Tourism Festival, an exclusive interview with the World Tourism Organization deputy director of the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Ms. Sofia.
Reporter: Cultural up the stage, singing tourism economy, so that the stage exists for a long time. In recent years, the three are moving towards coordinated development and mutual promotion of direction. Economic, tourism and whether the feeding culture, and cultural set up the stage?
Sofia: International seems to have been on the concept of cultural tourism, but a combination of both a long history, in reality, very much the case. If there is no culture, do not have to prosperity and sustainable development of tourism. First China International Cultural Tourism Festival will be cultural and tourism between the two close together, is a great idea.
Chinese tourism to attract international tourists is definitely not wide roads and luxury hotels, but the unique and beautiful natural scenery and splendid culture. Many of our traditional culture, especially non-material culture is facing a severe crisis of survival, in this context, it has a strong tourism industry and even the whole society should do something about cultural preservation and heritage. It is time for the tourism industry nurturing culture.
Reporter: Is there a corresponding laws and regulations as part of the tourism industry revenue for cultural preservation and heritage?
Sofia: relevant laws have not heard back, but has a lot of action. Take Macau, the Government as part of an annual tourism revenue will be used for the protection of local traditional culture and development for non-material cultural heritage protection.
Reporter: Fostering Cultural Tourism In addition to funding, there is what to do "homework"?
Sofia: the tourism industry has been regarded as low-carbon environmental protection industry, and other industries, the tourism industry itself is more emphasis on the sustainability of their own. If the one-sided pursuit of immediate profit, to give up the protection of nature and the environment, the tourism project is bound to be short-lived. No matter when and where, in the development of tourism projects at the same time we must put the protection of ecological environment in the primary position, not protected, not developed. This view must by all means and forms continue to strengthen, education, advocacy, legal and other forms are necessary.
Reporter: What measures are being taken?
Sofia: In 2008, the World Tourism Organization set up the Sustainable Development Department, responsible for promoting the sustainable development concept in the world. We have established a web site, there are volunteers, to provide help in various countries. As long as ideas, through careful planning and strict management, development and protection can be reconciled to. More importantly, as long as this, we can be more long-term interests.
Reporter: From the tourist point of view, how can the concept of tourism consumption transformed into vacation travel tour?
Sofia: has any industry from low to high stage of development, to achieve these changes in addition to the national holiday system reforms and raise the level of people's income, the more important changes in personal consumption habits. Recommended before the trip on the road to scientific planning and capabilities, and do not bite off more perfection, the first purpose of relaxing the mind as a tourist. Source: Sichuan Daily
