[Event report] WU student volunteer group wins international competition at the UNWTO Global Conference on Talent Development in Tourism

Four members of WU student volunteer group won an international competition held by the UNWTO during the 2nd Global Conference on Talent Development in Tourism in Marbella, Spain in October.

The students, as representatives of WU student volunteer group: Mr. Naohiro Murata, Ms. Aine Wakutani, Ms. Marika Endo and Ms. Kurumi Shimakawa participated in the conference held in October 8-10. As part of the conference, UNWTO conducted a student ideas competition with more than 50 student groups from all over the world participating. The student group presented their project, designed to create a more accessible version of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET) to assist in promoting the concept of GCET to young people. Their project was very well received and they WON the competition!!

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the student group¡¯s hard work and congratulate them on this great achievement.

During the conference, a student interview session was organised with the Executive Director of UNWTO, Mr. Carlos Vogeler. Ms Endo participated as one of the interviewers and asked him about the importance of the GCET. She also asked for advice on their idea to disseminate the GCET concept.

As well as the award, WU¡¯s active work related to UNWTO was globally acknowledged following the presentation at the Tourism EXPO Japan 2017.

?

After the conference, the students visited the UNWTO headquarters in Madrid and reported their achievement and other UNWTO activities they are involved in, including the Japanese translation of Tourism Highlights, a document issued by UNWTO.

?

Final presentation

?

? ?

Award ceremony (Left), GCET booklet for young people (Right)

?

? ?

UNWTO executive interview (Left), Interviewer; Ms. Marika Endo (Right)

?

Testimonials by the students

©–"It was an amazing experience. Our idea was recognized by an international organization. I am sure that this will be great encouragement for our future activities. I will keep working hard with the CTR student volunteer group." (Naohiro)

©–"I think it was a good opportunity for us to show the UNWTO our projects.We talked to many students from all over the world who study tourism. I really had a great time in Marbella." (Aine)

©–"At the conference, I was given a chance to interview the executive director of UNWTO. I was very nervous during the interview as he gave me plenty of answers for each one of my questions but this experience gave me an opportunity to rethink about tourism much more deeply and critically." (Marika)

©–¡±I had been constantly inspired for this three day event by activities such as participating in the competition and comments received from the participants. I am glad that our activities at Wakayama University were acknowledged by an international organization like UNWTO. I felt the ¡°UNWTO¡± was far away before, but after, I participated in the conference and interacted with people who related to tourism from all over the world. I felt much closer to this big international organization and I could have wider views toward tourism. Hope this achievement will encourage other students to try something challenging." (Kurumi)

?

?