UNWTO and China open third observatory for sustainable tourism development
UNWTO and China have opened a third Sustainable Tourism Observatory to monitor the environmental and socio-economic impacts of tourism
The Zhangjiajie Observatory, located in Hunan Province, is part of a network of observatories assisting policy makers to ensure sustainable tourism growth. It will gather and report data on the environmental, social and economic impacts of tourism in the area based on UNWTO sustainable tourism indictors.
The Observatory is located at the entrance to the Zhangjiajie National Park, China's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Park was also the inspiration for the Hollywood blockbuster 'Avatar'. Thanks in large part to this natural attraction, tourism has boomed in the region, generating economic wealth, jobs and development opportunities for local residents. Zhangjiajie receives up to 40,000 tourists a day during its high season.
"Tourism authorities in Zhangjiajie are well aware of the importance of tourism to the local economy, but more importantly, of the need to manage this growth sustainably," said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. "The Observatory represents a vital tool for doing so, providing tourism organizations with the information they need to move forward sustainably".
The Zhangjiajie Observatory is part of the Global Observatory on Sustainable Tourism (GOST) initiative, established by UNWTO to support sustainable tourism policies.
The two other observatories currently in operation are located in Yangshuo and Huangshan, and are, alongside Zhangjiajie Observatory, managed by the Monitoring Centre based in Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
About UN Tourism
The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), a United Nations specialised agency, is the leading international organisation with the decisive and central role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how. Its membership includes 166 countries, 6 territories, 2 permanent observers and over 500 Affiliate Members from the private sector.
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