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With the growing popularity of heritage tourism throughout the world in recent years, international agencies have guided their member states to develop different forms of tourism, including cultural tourism, sustainable tourism, and local participation in heritage conservation and tourism development. This paper first reviews the concepts of cultural tourism, heritage, sustainable development, and sustainable tourism, upon which international guidance has been based and practiced. It then explores the interpretations and applications of international guidance by the Cambodian national authorities in the Angkor World Heritage site, and compares these to the responses and applications by local NGOs and social enterprises. Angkor World Heritage site demonstrates a highly controversial national interpretation and application of international guidance, which is complemented, but only somewhat, by the initiatives of local NGOs and social entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, sustainable tourism is a form of tourism that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing the opportunity for the future. It is an industry that aims at having a low impact upon the environment and local culture, generating income and employment, and ensuring the conservation of local ecosystems. The aim of this paper is to examine the ways in which the development and promotion of a new tourism product based on unique rural heritage and traditions contribute to the development of sustainable tourism strategies in Romania.Design/methodology/approach This paper includes a literature review on the topic of sustainable tourism in post-conflict destinations and provides arguments for the adoption and development of sustainable tourism. Using a case study methodological approach, this paper provides an example of a sustainable tourism destination from the Central development region of Romania (Alba County, Transylvania) to depict specific sustainable tourism practices and their impact on the place, in a post-communist and post-conflict context. The study uses a comprehensive desk-research based on secondary data from key industry and academic sources.Findings The research findings show that rural tourism can greatly support the (re)development of post-conflict destinations, and it makes a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the Romanian tourism industry, in general, and rural economies in particular, as shown in the case examined in this paper.Practical implications This paper illustrates that fostering the unique rural heritage and traditions of a post-conflict destination can contribute to the revival and sustainable development of the place. Sustainable tourism practices contribute not only financially to a destination but also to its social infrastructures, jobs, nature conservation, adoption of new working practices and the revitalisation of passive and poor rural areas.Originality/value This paper examines and depicts rural tourism development as an innovative and sustainable strategy for Romania, a post-conflict destination that experienced severe political and social turmoil during the communist regime, and ethnic conflicts and violent events in the 1990s. The research findings may be applicable to other geographic regions and post-conflict destinations with similar contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is increasingly recognised as a major threat to the sustainability of tourism, including heritage tourism. Yet, despite growth in literature on climate change and heritage, there is little specific literature on the relationship between climate change and heritage tourism. The paper introduces a special issue on heritage tourism and climate change. It briefly outlines the future challenges of climate change before commenting on tourism's role in climate change and the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Using UNWTO tourism estimates, a tentative figure of half of all emissions of tourism could be ascribed to heritage-related tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a special session on smart tourism that was held in Chengdu, China from September 14-15, 2017. It mentions that the session was jointly organized by the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in collaboration with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Zhejiang DRORE Technology Co., Ltd, Zhejiang University, China. It states that the session aimed at the significance of latest digital technologies in tourism.

This article addresses the challenges of long-term planning for a tourism workforce at a regional level, a significant yet underconceptualized area in the literature. We draw on Yeoman’s future thinking techniques to generate a four-quadrant matrix designed to facilitate the development of scenarios that identify workforce challenges the tourism sector in the Asia-Pacific is likely to face through to 2030. Applying a modified Delphi technique, an expert panel aided in the formulation of dimensions on which our matrix is based. Their inputs over three rounds informed the development of four scenarios for the future of the tourism workforce in the Asia-Pacific. Utilizing these scenarios or “possibility spaces,” the article provides a framework for discussion and a platform for workforce planning and policy within this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Envisaging the future of tourism anywhere is difficult but is amplified when making predictions for the dynamic and rapidly changing Asia-Pacific region. The purpose of this conceptual article is to problematize a 2030 Asia-Pacific tourism future by modeling one polarized and probable scenario, theoretically framed within the mobilities paradigm and the core–periphery model. This scenario proposes that planning for the development of Asia-Pacific tourism will be heavily influenced by a growing tourist trend for experiences in the “pleasure periphery” while the contemporary pattern of increasing urbanization will continue to mobilize the required workforce toward the core. This scenario models divergent tourist and worker mobilities between the core and periphery. By focusing a scenario on this increasingly important discrepancy between labor supply and tourism demand, we can identify the challenges for those areas representative of this divergence that tourism development and destination stakeholders must plan for before 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the agreement between the specialized agency United Nations World Tourism Organization and intergovernmental organization Turkic Council on strengthening collaboration in advancing tourism as a key factor of socioeconomic growth and inclusive development.

The article discusses the United Nations World Tourism Organization Regional Conference on Enhancing Brand Africa: Fostering Tourism Development on the importance of places in Africa to the potential of tourism to develop its economies that was held in Accra, Ghana from August 17 to 19, 2015.

The article discusses the 2015 United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) & Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Ministerial Forum on Intra-Arab Tourism that was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on May 5, 2015. Topics include tourism, visa facilitation, and Arab tourism strategy. The forum featured several attendees including Sheik Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UNWTO secretary-general Taleb Rifai, and Minister of Tourism of Lebanon Michel Pharaon.

The article offers information on the impact of wildlife crime such as poaching and illicit trade on the socioeconomic development of Africa as wildlife watching tourism was considered as one of the most significant tourism segments in the country. It mentions that the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) was increasing knowledge on the wildlife watching's economic value in the country as part of the organization's effort to support anti-poaching activities.

The article reports that the European Cities Marketing (ECM), United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and MODUL University Vienna have partnered to create a framework that aims to promote city tourism development as a driver of economic growth. Taleb Rifai of UNWTO cites the role of city tourism as a significant element in urban planning and management. Ignasi de Delàs of ECM says that the partnership could extend their expertise in measuring the global value of city tourism.

The article focuses on the World Tourism Barometer of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for 2015. cording to the report, there are 1,138 million international tourist arrivals in 2014, an increase of 4.7% compared in 2013. The report cites the Americas, the Pacific and Asia as having the strongest growth in terms of tourism industry.

The article reports on the Memoranda of Understanding agreement between the specialized agency United Nations World Tourism Organization with five of its affiliate members on enhancing collaboration on research and the promotion of best practices in tourism.

The article offers information on the International Seminar on The Decision-Making Process of Meetings, Congresses, Conventions and Incentives Organisers to be held by the United Nations World Tourism Organization and the European Travel Commission in Antwerp, Belgium from June 11 to 12, 2015.

The article discusses the Seventh United Nations World Tourism Organization International Meeting on Silk Road Tourism on the development of tourism routes and improving human resources in China that was held in Xi'an from June 18 to 20, 2015.

The article reports on the agreement between the specialized agency United Nations World Tourism Organization and travel technology firm Amadeus IT Group SA on advancing the use of innovative technology in tourism in areas such as education and multi-modality.

The article reports on the call of the specialized agency United Nations World Tourism Organization on the occasion of World Statistics Day for the improvement in investment and coordination in data collection in the tourism industry.

The article offers information on the United Nations World Tourism Organization and World Travel Market's Summit on destination branding to be held at the World Travel Market London travel industry vent in London, England on November 3, 2015.

The article reports on the call of the specialized agency United Nations World Tourism Organization for further support for tourism in international financing for development flows to maximize the contribution of the sector to sustainable development internationally.

The article offers information on the United Nations World Tourism Organization Regional Conference Enhancing Brand Africa: Fostering Tourism Development on brand marketing for the tourism in Africa to be held in Accra, Ghana from August 17 to 19, 2015.

The article reports on the condemnation by the specialized agency United Nations World Tourism Organization to the bombing in Bangkok, Thailand in August 2015.

The article discusses the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) East Africa Tourism Development Forum on the tourism potential for furthering regional cooperation in East Africa that was held in Mombasa, Kenya from August 20-22, 2015.

The article offers information on the 21st Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly meeting on inclusive development and social transformation for the tourism industry to be held in Medellín , Colombia from September 12 to 17, 2015.

The article discusses the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Forum on Talent Development in Tourism: Investing in Youth that was held in Medellín, Colombia on September 11, 2015.

The article reports on the commencement of the 21st Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly by Colombia Juan Manuel Santos on September 14, 2015 in Medellín, Colombia.

The article reports on the agreement between specialized agencies United Nations World Tourism Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization on the potential of air transportation and tourism to improve socioeconomic prosperity and promote sustainable development.

The article reports on the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals plan by the United Nations World Tourism Organization for its commitment to work towards the implementation of the initiative on job creation, sustainable consumption and production, and the preservation of natural resources.

The article reports on the commencement of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations organized by the specialized agency United Nations World Tourism Organization in Madrid, Spain on October 23, 2015.

The article reports on the partnership between the specialized agency United Nations World Tourism Organization and financial institution European Bank of Reconstruction and Development in providing training and employment opportunities for the youth and promoting sustainable energy in the tourism industry.

The article focuses on the Visa Openness Report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) regarding the progress in visa facilitation and implementation on arrival policies. Topics include the statement of Taleb Rifai of UNWTO on the role of visa facilitation in economic growth and job creation, the restriction of visa policies in Europe and Middle East, and a research on the potential of the Group of Twenty (G20) economies to boost international tourist.

The article reports on the increase of exports from international tourism in 2014. Topics discussed include the contribution of international tourism in international trade, the earnings generated from international passenger transport services, accommodation, and other services, and the statement from secretary-general Taleb Rifai of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The article focuses on the support expressed by Taleb Rifai, secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), for tourism in Kenya. Topics discussed include the economic importance of country's tourism, cooperation between the organization and the country, and commitment of the government to advance the tourism sector.

The article offers the insights of Taleb Rifai, secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), regarding the impact of advances in technologies on the society and tourism which he discussed during the tourism convention ITB Berlin held in Germany in on March 3, 2015. It mentions that Rifai featured three main trends in the sector which include the need for shared responsibility, occurrence of new business models, and demand for accountability.

The article offers information on the "Hotel Classification Systems: Recurrence of Criteria in 4 and 5 Hotels" report of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) which provides hotels with common criteria and valuable insights for destinations. It mentions that the report which is a joint report with Norwegian Accreditation (NA) reveals similarities between 4 and 5 star categories and geographic groups despite of various classifications within the industry.

The article focuses on the Open Letter received by Mariano Rajoy, a Prime Minister of Spain, from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) about travel and tourism in the country. Topics discussed include the letter asks the heads of state and government to recognize the role of tourism in delivering sustained and balanced socio-economic growth, foreign income from tourism, and policies that trigger travel and tourism growth.

The article offers information on the 11th United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism. It discusses various categories of the awards including UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance, UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Enterprises, and UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Research and Technology. Doctor Eduardo Fayos-Solà has received the UNWTO Ulysses Prize for Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge.

The article offers information on the Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism of the World Tourism Organization (WTO). It mentions that the award system is aimed to honor tourism initiative and individuals who made contribution in the tourism sector through knowledge and innovations. It adds that for the 2015 WTO Awards, Eduardo Fayos-Solá was awarded with the UNWTO Ulysses Prize for Excellence in the Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge on January 28, 2015.

The article reports on the increase of international tourists that will set a record in international tourism by the end of 2014. Topics discussed include the strong tourist growth in the U.S., Europe, and Middle East, the contribution of tourism in job creation and employment, and the statement from secretary-general Taleb Rifai of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The article offers information on the 58th Meeting of the Commission to be conducted by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Commission for the Americas in Haiti from May 19-22, 2015.