Towards sustainable tourism for livelihood diversification: First web-symposium on agro/eco-tourism in the Asia-Pacific landscapes

Abstract

Agritourism, ecotourism, and other forms of landscape-based tourism serve as important drivers of socio-economic growth. It increases and diversifies household incomes, enhances job opportunities, increases the resilience of livelihoods, and helps conserve natural and cultural heritage, and pristine biodiversity across landscapes. A recent Memorandum of Understanding between UNWTO and FAO emphasizes the cross-cutting nature of tourism and the relevance of cooperation at all levels to ensure sectoral collaboration. It envisages collaborative activities among FAO’s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), the Coalition of Fragile Ecosystems (COFE), the Green Cities Initiative, and other initiatives. They aim to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship, drive sustainable development, income diversification opportunities, and strengthen livelihoods.

FAO, in collaboration with UNWTO, organized this event to discuss how to promote sustainable tourism in rural areas (particularly agro/eco-tourism) and enhance the livelihood opportunities of the indigenous peoples and local communities. The participants discussed how to develop and manage sustainable tourism in diverse landscapes, including through promoting agroecological good practices, smart solutions, and innovative methods and products in landscape-level tourism while conserving traditional values and biodiversity. The seminar not only included discussing experiences but made proposals for advancing remunerative opportunities for further linking agri-food systems and tourism in the future.