UNDERSTANDING CULTURE

Culture is the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group, and it encompasses, in addition to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, value systems, traditions and beliefs. Culture takes diverse forms across time and space. This diversity is embodied in the uniqueness and plurality of the identities of the groups and societies making up humankind. As a source of exchange, innovation and creativity, cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. In this sense, it is the common heritage of humanity and should be recognized and affirmed for the benefit of present and future generations.

Source: UNESCO – "Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development." 2005, p. 17.

TOURISM, CULTURE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

FOUR KEY ASPECTS:
1. The mobilization of culture (and the closely related concept of heritage), for tourism and development.
2. The problems and opportunities relating to using cultural tourism as a focus and mechanism for economic development.
3. The potential and the realities of cultural tourism as a form of inter-cultural dialogue and exchange.
4. The role of cultural tourism in the agendas of environmental protection and biodiversity.

Source: UNESCO – "Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development." 2005, p. 16.

FINDING MEANING THROUGH TOURISM

Tourism is centred on the fundamental principles of exchange between peoples and is both an expression and experience of culture. Tourism is cultural, and its practices and structures are very much an extension of the normative cultural framing from which it emerges.

Source: UNESCO – "Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development." 2005, p. 08.

As a policy manager in the Ministry of Culture, it could be worthwhile to come up with ideas that can help the ministry in the mobilization of culture (and the closely related concept of heritage),