CIFAL-Jeju
organises Workshop on Eco-Innovation through Tourism Development in the
Asia-Pacific Region
In
November of 2018, UNITAR’s Affiliated International Training Centre for
Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) organized a 4-day workshop on ‘Eco-Innovation
through tourism development in the Asia-Pacific Region’ in Jeju, Republic of
Korea. The workshop was co-organized between CIFAL-Jeju, UNOSSC (UN Office for
South-South Cooperation) and STEPI (Science and Technology Policy Institute).
The event took place from November 27th to November 30thand included 21 participants from 11 different countries. The attendees from national
and local government as well as academia, who wish to improve sustainable ecotourism
and eco-innovation in their cities or countries, or to enhance their knowledge about relevant Korean case
studies, joined the workshop.
Countries represented
in the workshop included Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Maldives,
Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The resource persons
included Dr. Kelly Bricker from University of Utah / Global Sustainable Tourism
Council; Dr. Natarajan Ishwaran, Professor associated with the International
Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST) under the
auspices of UNESCO; Dr. Marcelino Pandin, Policy Advisor for UCLG ASPAC; Ms. Soonhee
Yoon from Jeju Eco Tour Inc.; and Dr. Mushtaq Memon from UNEP.
The workshop consisted
of various lectures given regarding eco-innovation and sustainable tourism,
heritage resources, local development, policy development, case study of Jeju
as well as eleven case study presentations from participants. The participants
also took part in City-Share methodology whereby they were encouraged to share
best practices from their cities and to formulate action plan regarding
sustainable tourism development and eco-innovation. On the last day, the
participants had opportunity to visit some of the sites of eco-tourism such as
Camelia Hill (Ramsar Wetland), Shinsan-ri Café, Seogwipo Olle Center, and a
traditional Seogwipo Olle Market to sum up their experience of sustainable
tourism development of Jeju Island.