Recognized international conference of the UNESCO UNITWIN in Portorož

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Recognized international conference of the UNESCO UNITWIN in Portorož

The UNESCO UNITWIN Network is organizing the biennial 7th International Scientific Conference on "Culture, Tourism, Development", in cooperation with its member University of Primorska, Faculty of Tourism Studies Turistica in Portorož from 15 to 20 May 2022.

The UNESCO UNITWIN "Culture, Tourism, Development" Network has been organizing biennial international conferences on World Heritage and Tourism since 2010. The conference will feature academic papers and a range of selected panel discussions, PhD workshops, and online satellite events on current issues related to three main themes: (1) World Heritage Sites in a Changing World, (2) Tourism Innovation, and (3) Sustainable Development.

Over the past decade, both tourism and World Heritage sites have undergone significant and even dramatic changes in their environmental, technological, economic, and social conditions. New challenges call for new starting points, new strategies, and new solutions for more bearable and sustainable tourism in World Heritage sites. Global challenges and directions of further development of heritage tourism will be presented on the first day of the conference by renowned international experts, including UNESCO UNITWIN Coordinator for Culture, Tourism, Development Maria Gravari Barbas (France), internationally awarded researcher of sustainable tourism, and Science Ambassador of Slovenia Sara Dolničar (Australia) and world-renowned climatologist Lučka Kajfež Bogataj.

The conference is expected to attract around 150 participants from the ranks of international experts and scientists who are actively involved in the evaluation and research of the world cultural heritage. Among them, world-renowned experts from UNESCO organizations from all continents will present their views. By the end of January, 92 abstracts had been submitted by 178 authors from 35 countries.

Due to the uncertain situation regarding the pandemic around the world, the conference is to be held in a hybrid mode. The program is expected to have a 70 percent of live program and will adapt to the situation. As part of the esteemed international event, a series of accompanying activities with the aim of presenting our cultural heritage will be carried out. In addition to the program content, the conference will include visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites in Slovenia, and the 'premiere' of the newly ranked Plečnik’s Heritage in Ljubljana. We will highlight examples of good practices of exemplary integration with the tourism industry.

"We are pleased with the response to the conference, as it is above expectations, with the participation of a diverse academic community from 35 countries. We look forward to academic discussions and different views on innovation that will contribute to the sustainable development of tourism in heritage areas. In organizing the conference, we will do our best to make a memorable impression with accompanying events, especially with the visit to UNESCO sites in Slovenia,” said the chair of the Conference Organizing Committee and Coordinator of the University of Primorska in the UNESCO UNITWIN network assoc. prof. Aleksandra Brezovec.

The Rector of the University of Primorska prof. dr. Klavdija Kutnar emphasized: “It is extremely important that the efforts of UNESCO for the sustainable integration of heritage and tourism take place within the framework of our University of Primorska. In addition to the recently established new UNESCO Chair in Interpretation and Education for Enhancing Integrated Heritage Approaches, being entrusted with the organization of the prestigious UNESCO International Conference is an additional recognition of the University of Primorska's research and international academic integration in this field."

More information on the conference website unitwin2022.turistica.si.

UNESCO UNITWIN NETWORK - "Culture, Tourism, Development" is a program established in 2002 by the UNESCO Chair "Culture, Tourism, Development" in Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and has members in about 30 universities worldwide. The network is a closely linked system of cooperation in research, exchange and dissemination of knowledge between universities, decision-makers, NGOs, civil society and the private sector. Its main objetive is to promote a responsible and ethical vision of tourism as a means of sustainable development of territories and strengthening cultural diversity.