Alliances for Culture Tourism in Eastern Anatolia UNWTO

Alliances for Culture Tourism in Eastern Anatolia UNWTO

Alliances for Culture Tourism in Eastern Anatolia MDGF JP in East Anatolia-Kars • Challenge for all involved • Huge responsibilty • Ensure success at medium and long-term benefit

Alliances for Culture Tourism in Eastern Anatolia Projects executed by UNWTO include: • Tourism master plans • Tourism law formulation • Destination management planning • Handicaft development • SME develoment • Community based tourism development

Alliances for Culture Tourism in Eastern Anatolia Ø Turkey: Eastern Anatolia- Kars on Culture and Development (UNDP, UNESCO and UNICEF) ↓ ROLE OF UNWTO 1. Realistic needs assessment and objective situation analysis 2. Assessment and working up of enterprises needs and support of community initiatives 3. Strengthening visitors flow and increasing length of stay and visitors spending

Alliances for Culture Tourism in Eastern Anatolia 1 - Realistic needs assessment and objective situation analysis To enable us to develop an agreed cultural tourism strategy and action plan • • • Assess cultural heritage and tourism resources, markets, needs and opportunities Close consultation with all relevant stakeholders – Civil society – Public and private sector on National and Regional level (Private sector surveyed through Toursab, the coordinating body) Support Ministry of Culture and Tourism: – Development Strategic Plan for the Kars City Brand – Overall strategy (input of national and internatinal experts) Ensure that UNESCO and UNWTO experts on cultural resources work hand in hand Basis for UNDP activities

Alliances for Culture Tourism in Eastern Anatolia 2 Assessment and working up of enterprises needs and support of community initiatives Looking at needs and performance of existig tourism service businesses Identification of capacity building requirements and design of training inputs Involve work with communities, civil society groups on identifying enterprise opportunities Closely linked to work of UNESCO and UNDP in four main ways: • Integrating with UNESCO assistance site management and public use planning, engaging local community in interpreptation, security and maintenance, guiding…. etc • Input from UNESCO in the handicraft sector (including design elements, production and retail to tourists) • Input from UNESCO supported experts in assessment and feasibility of use of heritage sites and assets • Feeding into UNDP supported delivery of enterprises support services, including enterprises clustering, supply chain develpment, business support, training and micro-credits • • •

Alliances for Culture Tourism in Eastern Anatolia 3 - Strengthening visitors flow and increasing length of stay and visitors spending • • • Include the area in already existing itinerary Support improved promotion and information Increase local awareness Capacity building in relevant promotional techniques Improve the website of kars and relevant linkage Ensure media and Tour Operator engagement

Alliances for Culture Tourism in Eastern Anatolia THANK YOU World Tourism Organization mdgfund@unwto. org www. unwto. org