Trade Forum

  Shortage of capital is a major obstacle for tourism development, and many countries – especially in the developing world – increasingly look to foreign investors to provide capital that will help develop their tourism industries. Attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the...

  A small miracle was recorded on Cambodia’s northern plains in 2009. Deep in the forest, not too far from the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, the number of giant ibis, a critically endangered species, had jumped. Nick Butler, coordinator of the Sam Veasna Centre (SVC) for wildlife...

  For enterprises operating in the tourism and hospitality industries, gaining an understanding of the expectations and practices of consumers wanting to use the Internet as a medium to seek information and arrange online travel bookings is absolutely vital.   Tuning in to the online...

  The 2011 World Export Development Forum explored how least developed countries can make tourism work towards poverty reduction.At the 2011 World Export Development Forum (WEDF), high-level leaders from Burundi, Cambodia and Tur­key spoke about experiences in their countries.   ...

  Least developed countries (LDCs) continue to play only a minor role in global tourism, receiving a mere 1% of the world’s travel exports. LDCs’ tourism earnings have risen from US$ 3 billion in 2000 to over US$ 10 billion in 2010, increasing an impressive 14% per year on average. Tourism...

  Strategic positioning is the first thing dev­eloping countries should do when considering tourism as an economic tool. It requires the development of a carefully constructed, unique prop­osition that frames the attractions offered to tourists from targeted sources, communicating them in a...

  Bhutan’s long-term strategy of controlled tourism with a focus on sustainability and quality has secured the country’s reputation as an exclusive and distinctive destination while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry and its contribution to the economy. Bhutan has...

  Following a difficult period that recast much of the travel & tourism (T&T) ind­­ustry’s landscape, the sector is slow­­ly recovering from the economic downturn, with emerging market economies leading the way and advanced economies, for the most part, lagging behind. Least...

  The 2011 World Export Development Forum focused on ways to develop sustainable tourism with the announcement of four projects to connect small- and medium-sized enterprises in least developed countries to the tourism industry. Held on 10-11 May in Istanbul, Turkey within the framework...

  As a US$ 3 billion a day global business, the tourism sector is one of the world’s fastest growing industries and an important driver for economic growth in least developed countries.   Since the 1950s, tourism has experienced continued expansion and diversification, becoming one of...

   Tourism as a vehicle for gender equality and women’s empowerment As one of the largest wealth and employment generators in the developing world, tourism provides an opportunity to achieve greater gender equality both politically and economically, according to the Global Report on...

  Tourism is an economic engine that has huge potential to drive sustainable growth in developing countries, especially least developed countries. Although its origins exist in the often unplanned practice of exploration and discovery, its future lies in highly structured, well planned and...