Crafts and Tourism – Asia InCH – Encyclopedia of Intangible Cultural Heritage

YOUR VIEWS

In this context of globalization and growing extension of modern communication techniques, there is paradoxically a quest for quality, identity and originality. While countries, individuals and groups are more and more committed to combining the ability to participate in the world of technology and open markets with the promotion of their cultural heritage, it is not surprising therefore that tourism has moved from the 3 S (sun, sea and sex) to the 3 E (entertainment, excitement and education). How then can we make the best of this favorable wind of change to further promote crafts development?

- Address by Mr. Indrasen Vencatachellum, UNESCO Representative, at the Closing Ceremony of the International Workshop on Tourism and Crafts.

Tourism is the largest industry in the world and directly employs about 36 million of India’s people. Although the effects of tourism on the craft industry have yet to be thoroughly studied, the 6.8 millions tourists that visit South Asia every year clearly provide India’s artisans with opportunities for sales and direct market feedback. In reports from the Asian Development Bank, experts forecast that tourists into South Asia will reach at least 18.8 million visitors by 2020, which will undoubtedly bring billions of dollars into the region. However, all is not positive. The tourism industry has had to deal with the threefold blow of 9/11, SARS (and now the Avian Flu) and the war in Iraq. These...