In a landmark event guaranteed to shape the future of cultural tourism, the World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH) will host the Global Leaders Summit (WTACH GLS24) in October 2024. This two-day event, scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, aims to bring together public and private sector stakeholders to address critical issues concerning the future of cultural tourism and the communities living in and around global heritage sites.
The WTACH GLS24 will gather key decision-makers and thought leaders from international organisations, industry sectors, and academia. The summit’s goal is to foster collaboration among tourism companies, development organisations, and other stakeholders to support heritage communities in building more equitable and sustainable lives. This unprecedented gathering is expected to set the stage for transformative discussions and initiatives in the cultural tourism sector.
The summit’s sessions and discussions will cover a wide array of essential themes, including: Global Trends & Future Insights, Culture & Heritage Tourism Demand and Opportunity, Branding & Marketing Trends in Culture & Heritage Tourism, Innovation & Disruption, Unpacking A.I, Tourism Funding & Investment, the Impact of Climate Change on Cultural Heritage Assets and Community Tourism Development & Sustainability among several others.
WTACH GLS24 will feature an impressive lineup of speakers and presenters, including John Koldowski, Professor of Tourism at Leshan Normal University, China; Ms Sthembiso Dlamini, CEO of Gauteng Tourism Authority, South Africa; John Perrottet, Global Tourism Specialist at the World Bank; Anne Grady, Chief Cultural Heritage Advisor at the EU Parliament; and Ms Nisha, Regional Director of UNESCO Southern Africa and UNESCO’s Representative to the Republic of Zimbabwe. These experts will lead panel discussions, providing insights and strategies for the future of cultural tourism.
Chris Flynn, Executive Chairman of the World Tourism Association for Culture & Heritage, emphasised the summit’s significance in an interview with VoyagesAfriq:
“Culture and Heritage is the fastest-growing sector of the tourism market, responsible for more than 40% of global tourism revenue (UNESCO). Research consistently identifies that post-COVID-19 travellers now seek to find and consume more authentic or real experiences. African culture is deep and rich, representing many thousands of years of diversity and development.
“Yet, this is largely unknown to the outside world. The countries and regions of Africa, therefore, have an unprecedented opportunity to explore how to capitalise on this growing sector of the industry in ways that support the development and growth of sustainable visitor economies that serve to better protect and preserve these unique cultural assets whilst helping to improve the lives and livelihoods of local communities who are their traditional guardians,” he said.
The Executive Chairman sees the gathering of this top-level industry stakeholders as cucuial to achieving the over all objective of the Summit.
“It’s about balancing profit with prosperity. Prosperity for all,” he emphasised.
The WTACH GLS24 will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 13th to 15th October 2024. The event will be moderated by Rajan Datar, the renowned BBC Travel Presenter, ensuring that discussions are insightful and engaging.
The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (W.T.A.C.H.) is the global authority on the protection and preservations of cultural heritage assets through the development of responsible, sustainable, ethicaland equitable tourism practices and policies.
As a globally recognised and respected N.G.O. the organisation brings together public, private, community-based and specialist academic sector organisations to assist Governments, Donors, Destinations, and the Tourism sector as a whole, achieve their long-term goals and objectives whilst minimising the risks associated with
inadequate or ineffective Cultural Heritage Tourism planning.
W.T.A.C.H. is a ‘Not for Profit’ membership organisation that seeks to ensure that the unique attributes, history, and cultural values of the world’s communities are celebrated and preserved for generations to come.
