A Shift to Tourism Based City
Opening Ceremony of Changwon/UNESCO International Education Conference on “Sustainable Tourism Development in Educating Cities” from March 14, 2018.
CHANGWON, a city with mechanical engineering making up its industrial structure, is shifting direction. Designated as a planned city by the central government in 1973, Changwon is planning to develop a green environment movement to become the country’s environment capital. Optimising its role as the Chair City of International Association of Educating Cities (IAEC) – AsiaPacific Regional Network, Changwon, an active member of UCLG ASPAC, in close collaboration with IAEC and UNESCO, organised Changwon/UNESCO International Education Conference on “Sustainable Tourism Development in Educating Cities” from March 14th to 16th, 2018. Welcoming all participating cities, Mayor Sang-soo Ahn of Changwon City in his remarks announced that 2018 was inaugurated as a visit Changwon year. Various points were coined by distinguished speakers in supporting the effort of Changwon. Represented by Secretary General, Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, UCLG ASPAC contributed in sharing three key messages to participating cities; covering a suggestion to encourage youth to be a conscious society, usage of policy instruments to capture opportunities in the links between local economic development and sustainable tourism (UN study
shows eco-tourism can give up to 95 per cent of revenues back to the local economy, as compared to only 20 per cent of the popular standard allinclusive package tours), and collaboration between multiple stakeholders. She also praised the City of Changwon on its progress of transforming the City towards an environmental capital in the country and globally. Marina Canals (Secretary General of IAEC) mentioned there is a need to conduct a holistic approach in developing sustainable tourism. >> Marina Canals, SG of IAEC, delivering her remarks.
Included in the efforts are fostering equal opportunities and improving competitiveness. Further, she also underlined the importance of awareness raising and promoting responsible behavior to visitors. She explained later that those taken efforts will enable future generation to enjoy the wealth of heritage. The international conference was aimed at experience sharing for the promotion of understanding sustainable tourism through practical cases from different cities. Three themes were highlighted: 1) Development of Policy Frameworks for Sustainable Tourism Development, 2) Linking Education and Sustainable Tourism, and 3) Community-based Tourism Initiative. Each of the theme presented best practices of sustainable tourism from different cities, such as Tehran, Kerala, and cities of China. Group discussions were also held to identify success factors as well as challenges in the three themes discussed. Discussion of the best practice shared focused on the experience of cities of China in developing its tourism. Represented by Associate Professor Cui Li, Master Tutor of Beijing International Studies University and China National Tourism Administration Youth Expert, shared case study of Panjin City in developing tourism. Having tourist areas including Red Beach, Farm Land, Marine Ranch, and Dynamic Coast, the tourism strategy developed is to integrate coastal road, paddy fields, and reed marshes into a tourist attraction. The goal is transforming the countryside into a village resort, allowing tourist to abandon the car and ride in paddy fields to experience the ecological agriculture. From the interactive discussion, it was revealed that the key success of this plan is commitment of government in allocating budget for public services. Another factor is the strong coordination between national and local government in playing their respective roles.
Changwon/UNESCO International Education Conference on “Sustainable Tourism Development in Educating Cities” was held back-to-back with IAEC General Assembly 2018 conducted at the very last day. Throughout the conference sessions, participants were exposed to Changwon’s popular Junam Reservoir (Wetlands) and Changwon House; environment and culturebased tourist spots, while also entertained by highly praised youth and cultural performances.
Junam Reservoir (Wetlands), one of Changwon’s signatures for tourist destination.