MALAWI: HUMAN CAPITAL FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
The Living Stone Dialogue asbl is a non-profit organization that deals with tourism as leverage for sustainable development. With the support of the Flemish Region and the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture in Malawi a practical training program for the tourism sector in Malawi is being introduced. Living Stone Dialogue takes the lead. Contributions are made by Living Stone Centre, K.H.Leuven Dept. Economy, K.U.Leuven Dept. Geography and Master in Tourism.
http://www.lsdialoog.com
Following 'train-the-trainer’ modules are being implemented since 2009:
- Vocational training in hospitality for frontline workers in tourism
- Tour guide certification program. Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture Anna Kachiko handed out the certificates to 32 participants from the public and private tourism sector on 14 August 2009.
- Destination management for planning authorities and operational stakeholders.
References:
KHLeuven Press release 9 Februar 2009 on the involvment of academics and students in the SME-training programs in Malawi and Ayacucho
Press cliping 14 August 2009, Closing ceremony 1st traineeship in Malawi
PERU: VIAVIA AYACUCHO
ViaVia are traveller cafes around the world: nr 12 ViaVia Ayacucho opened officially in September 2009.
In Ayacucho (Peru) ViaVia is supported by Solid International to raise the quality of tourism services by offering experiential training packages in partnership with the local authorities. Among them DIRCETUR (Dirección regional de comercio exterior y turismo); CARETUR (Camera regional de Turismo) and last but not least the MUNICIPIO de AYACUCHO.
The first modules started in 2009: small entrepreneurship in tourism, English conversation for hospitality staff. Tour guiding and tourism product development are following. Numerous volunteers joined this initiative coordinated by Living Stone Dialoog vzw: KHLeuven Dept. Economics, K.U.Leuven Dept. Geography and Master in Tourism, ... Living Stone Intercultural Entrepreneurship provides trainers with educational materials and concepts 'to make it happen'.
Contact: Pauline Evers, pauline.evers@gmail.com
Get the ViaVia vibes on Paulines Facebook and book ViaVia Ayacucho on your next discovery tour : http://www.facebook.com/pauline.evers
http://picasaweb.google.com/viaviacafe.ayacucho
www.viaviacafe.com,
Solid Int. www.solidinternational.ch and http://www.solidperu.com/
BEIJING: CENTRE FOR NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (CNACH)
In 2007 an exchange program in the field of intercultural communication and tourism planning development was initiatied with CNACH (Center for Natural and Cultural Heritage, the Chinese Academy of Sciences).
This program was highlighted by an international workshop on 14 June 2008 in Beijing. Key note speakers were prof.dr. Myriam Verbeke ('Cultural Landscapes and Tourism dynamics: Explorative Case Studies') and prof. dr.Dominique Vanneste ('The importance of local identity and support for the conservation of heritage: an experience in Ghent-Belgium') on behalf of K.U.Leuven; Bob Elsen on behalf of the Living Stone-network (Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Tourism).
On 22 april 2009 prof. Min Qing Wen, deputy director CNACH, and Bob Elsen on behalf of Living Stone Dialoog vzw and Living Stone Intercultural Entrepreneurship signed a 'Letter of Intent' to develop a train-the-trainer program in sustainable tourism development and intercultural communication.
