The first
The first
Under the theme Into New Tourism: Peace, Sustainability and Technology, the 2001 Assembly will review issues such as the state of tourism in the world and development prospects and approve an implementation plan for the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. The Assembly will also review WTO`s present and future activities, and adopt the themes for World Tourism Day in 2002 and 2003. In addition, the Assembly will proceed with the election of half of the members of the Executive Council and the Secretary-General of WTO for the next four years.
Two official opening ceremonies are scheduled to take place in each of the venues of the General Assembly. The opening ceremony at Seoul will be held in the presence of the President of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Mr. Kim Dae-jung and the one in Osaka will be honoured by the presence of a member of the Imperial Family. A reception to welcome all the delegates will be hosted by the Korean and Japanese authorities on conclusion of the opening ceremonies.
During the Assembly, two round tables will be held in Seoul on the following topics: Tourism, Leisure and Sports and Practices and Applications of Knowledge-Based Tourism. A conference on Tourism Policy and Strategy will also take place during the Assembly in Seoul. Reviewing the new developments in tourism policy in the past two years, it will cover areas such as measurement and management of the impacts of tourism, development and management of human resources in tourism, and new methods of tourism marketing.
The programme in Japan includes the Millennium Conference of Tourism Leaders on September 30 and October 1. Discussions will range over such topics as market trends for tourism in the new century, harmonization between tourism and the environment, and the impact of information technologies on tourism, with agreements reached in these discussions to be drawn up as the Osaka Declaration.
Seoul
The capital and the heart of the Republic of Korea, Seoul is home to nearly a quarter of the nations`s 46.8 million people. There is a rich and impressive variety to Seoul, born of 600 years of history as the capital of the late Chosun Dynasty. A World Tourist Souvenir Exhibition will be held in Seoul from September 24 to September 27. The Korean Host Committee invites member states – national tourism administration, national tourism organization and member of WTO – to exhibit their national tourism souvenirs to Koreans and delegates of the Assembly.
Osaka
One of Japan`s earliest capitals, Osaka boasts a lively cultural and historical pantheon, and is particularly well known as the center of bunraku, or Japanese puppet theatre. Osaka is also renowned across Japan and throughout the world as the pantry of Japan and boasts a diverse and delicious cuisine. Both during and after the General Assembly, tours to sites such as the nearby ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara, Universal Studios Japan and Osaka Castle, will be offered, besides a variety of tourism-related events.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
