UNESCO implements three-day training on Sustainable Tourism Strategy Development for World Heritage Site Managers in the Islamic Republic of Iran

The UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office and the Iranian Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organisation (ICHHTO) organized a three-day training workshop on Sustainable Tourism Strategy Development for World Heritage Site Managers in the Islamic Republic of Iran from 7-9 September 2016, AVA Diplomatic reports.

The training took place at the Bisotun World Heritage Site in Kermanshah Province and brought together some 40 participants from the 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran, as well as other national heritage sites.

The workshop was generously supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom Spain in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which provided a tourism expert from Spain to share practical experiences in developing tourism at heritage sites and historical cities.

During the opening ceremony, Ms. Esther Kuisch Laroche, Director and Representative of the UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office, mentioned that many locations are now actively developing their tangible and intangible cultural assets as a means of developing comparative advantages in an increasingly competitive tourism marketplace, and to create local distinctiveness in the face of globalisation.

“Here, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, we have 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are unique treasures of humanity. And these sites are important travel destinations with huge potential impact for local economic development and long-term sustainability.  Moreover, this country has a very rich natural and cultural diversity, which manifests itself in the landscapes, biodiversity, gastronomy, traditions, customs, music, languages etc. of each province. All of this represents an important potential for tourism development”, said Ms. Kuisch Laroche.

Other speakers during the opening ceremony included Mr Razani, Governor General of Kermanshah Province; Dr. Morteza Rahmani Movahed, Deputy Head of Tourism (ICHHTO); Dr. Mohamad Hassan Talebian, Deputy Head of Cultural Heritage (ICHHTO); and Mr. Carlos Aragón Gil de la Serna, Deputy Head of Mission of the Spanish Embassy in Tehran.

Ms. Cecilie Smith-Christensen from Norway facilitated the workshop and introduced the UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme to the participants. She trained the heritage site managers on developing a World Heritage and sustainable tourism strategy taking a destination management approach.

Spanish tourism expert, Mr. Miguel Ángel Troitiño Vinuesa, Professor of Human Geography at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, shared practical experiences from Spain with the participants. He highlighted the importance of institutional leadership, local community involvement and partnerships with the private sector in developing heritage tourism destinations.

The workshop concluded with practical recommendations for follow-up actions and UNESCO will be supporting selected World Heritage Sites in the development of integrated tourism strategies.