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who we are

Regional Vice-President (Asia & the Pacific), UNWTO Affiliates Board 2015- 2017

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

UNWTO’s membership includes 157 countries, 6 Associate Members and over 480 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

The Affiliate Members are companies (public or private), organizations, destinations, NGOs, educational institutions or bodies whose activities are related to tourism and which contribute to the UNWTO their knowledge and expertise to promote the development of tourism that’s responsible, sustainable and accessible for everyone.

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core activities

  • WORLD CONFERENCES ON TOURISM

    DISCOVERYMICE is a global leader in producing world conferences on various tourism niche sectors. With a track record since 2006, these conferences have benefitted over 5000 high level tourism administrators and professionals.

    Our flagship conference is the annual World Ecotourism Conference which has been convened since 2009. It is one of the most important ecotourism conferences in the world with significant influence on the direction and development of ecotourism growth in developing countries.

  • ECOTOURISM CONSULTANCY

    The needs, expectations and anticipated benefits of ecotourism vary greatly from one destination to the next, and there is certainly no "one size fits all" approach to ecotourism destination management and marketing. As local communities living in regions with ecotourism potential develop a vision for what kind of ecotourism they want to facilitate, a comprehensive planning framework.

  • M.I.C.E. CONSULTANCY

    MICE destinations often organise MICE related tourism conferences and conventions that offer the continuing education, training, and opportunities to exchange ideas that are vital to developing a vibrant MICE tourism industry.

  • TOURISM TECHNOLOGY

    DISCOVERYMICE carries an ambitious initiative and mission to lead the international online hospitality and travel industry in dynamic packaging distribution solutions that support emerging niche tourism sectors in emerging economies.

focal points

Eva Adamson

Latin America

David Austin

East Europe

Natalie Barnes

Latin America

Thomas Bishop

Southern and Eastern Africa

Key Regions

  • 1.

    Asia & The Pacific

    Our base is in Asia and the Pacific region, one of the fastest tourism growth regions in the world. DISCOVERYMICE holds the position of Regional Vice President (Asia and the Pacific) in the UNWTO Board of Affiliate Members.

  • 2.

    Southern/Eastern Africa

    In many African countries, ecotourism is a major economic sector and to support the sustainable development of the industry, a series of world ecotourism conferences will be convened in Africa in the next few years.

  • 3.

    Latin America

    Latin America with its vast natural and cultural resources as well as protected lands has great potential for ecotourism. Ecotourism can help to drive socio-economic programmes in poverty stricken areas and conflict areas.

our values

In support of tourism communities, opportunities and economies in developing countries

DISCOVERYMICE strives to be a good corporate citizen. Our corporate culture drives us to set high standards for corporate integrity and to "give back" by using our resources to achieve positive impacts. We pursue a strong "6 P's bottom lines" which we describe as Profits, People, Principles, Planet, Partnerships and Prospering. We believe that with these strong bottom lines, we stand to be sustainable, responsible and relevant in our work to develop, promote and stimulate tourism across the world.

UNWTO

  • In a significant acknowledgment of tourism as a tool for promoting sustainable development, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution stressing ecotourism’s role in the fight against poverty and the protection of the environment.

    The resolution, entitled, “Promotion of ecotourism for poverty eradication and environment protection”, calls on UN Member States to adopt policies that promote ecotourism highlighting its “positive impact on income generation, job creation and education, and thus on the fight against poverty and hunger”. It further recognizes that “ecotourism creates significant opportunities for the conservation, protection and sustainable use of biodiversity and of natural areas by encouraging local and indigenous communities in host countries and tourists alike to preserve and respect the natural and cultural heritage”.

    “UNWTO welcomes the adoption of this resolution on the importance of ecotourism,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “The remarkable support that the resolution has received, from all regions and across the development spectrum, is a clear testimony that sustainable tourism has a vital role to play in a fairer and sustainable future for all.”

    World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)