Putting The Tourist First

The theme of the 4th World Tourism Conference in Malaysia was “Tourism Delights: Delivering the Unexpected” and it dealt with strategies to enhance the visitor’s experience under the principle of “tourists first.”

Hosted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), it featured roundtables on Tourism a Sunrise Industry? and Tourism Experiences: Breaking New Grounds, debated tourism trends beyond 2030 and also looked at how to re-invent the sector with a customer-oriented focus.

UNWTO secretary-general, Taleb Rifai pointed out during the conference’s opening that: “We have witnessed two revolutions: on technology and on travel. The confluence of these has resulted in a new traveller who is technology-savvy, connected and informed who increasingly desires authentic, unique and valuable travel experiences and who is also more responsible and conscientious. Our sector needs to harness the emerging desire for ‘positive-impact’ tourism to contribute to a better world.”

Malaysia’s minister of tourism, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz said that: “A key element to advance tourism is creativity and innovation … in that regard, Malaysia has enhanced its tourism products by packaging “local community’s daily life” into a touristic offer – the “homestay experience” – providing travellers the opportunity to immerse in the traditional village lifestyle and to interact with local hosts, as well as other initiatives such as Villagestay, Visit MyFelda and Visit MyLonghouse.”

Additional sessions at the conference looked at the numerous opportunities that tourism brings to communities, where the relevance of sustainable practices, rural and youth tourism were underlined.

Go to http://www.UNWTO.org for more.