News

January, 25 2024

Navigating the Path to 6th Urban Economy Forum, 

“Financing Sustainable Tourism, Advancing Quality of Life” : Insights from the first UEF6 Steering Committee Meeting

In the inaugural meeting of the 6th Urban Economy Forum (UEF6) Steering Committee on January 25, Steering Committee members of UEF6, gathered to initiate discussions on the theme, "Financing Sustainable Tourism, Advancing Quality of Life .The forum, scheduled for October 7-9, 2024, in Kitchener and Toronto , is poised to delve into the multifaceted aspects of sustainable tourism and its impact on economic prosperity, local development, environmental conservation and quality of life.

UEF Chair Reza Pourvaziry, opened the session, emphasized the critical linkage between sustainable tourism and the improvement of the quality of life. The committee aims to explore responsible practices that preserve natural resources and cultural heritage, recognizing tourism as a catalyst for growth.

Berry Vrbanovic Mayor of city of Kitchener and Co-chair of UEF6 discussed the intersection of technology, innovation, arts, culture, and tourism. He also shared insights from a recent UEF team visit to Kitchener, exploring potential event venues and logistical considerations. . Mayor Vrbanovic recognized the relevance of Ontario's Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs) for international guests and underscored the vital role of arts and culture in tourism.

UEF 6 Director, Fazileh Dadvar, provided an overview of UEF6 Program and invited collaboration across various domains, including concept review, project oversight, expertise contribution, and post-conference follow-up. She focused on building on the success of previous UEF events, particularly the UEF5+ WPC59 joint conference in Toronto, which centered on climate action, urban finance, and planning for resilient and equitable communities. She emphasized the necessity of leveraging the experiences gained from previous forums.

UEF’s Secretary General Anantha Krishnan reviewed the concept note of the UEF6 and steered the conversation towards the intersection of sustainable tourism, financial considerations, and the enhancement of quality of life. The proposed in-depth examination spans urban tourism, economic growth, infrastructure, environmental impact mitigation, best practices, community participation, social impact, and technology and innovation. Krishnan stressed the importance of engaging experts to make the forum a unique platform dedicated to sustainability, quality of life, urban development, and economic growth.

Mayor Amanda McDougall provided insights from the East Coast, emphasizing the organization's focus on quality of life through extensive research and surveys to identify demographics being left behind in the context of tourism and community development. Inclusivity, particularly addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, is a focal point for their discussions.

Member of Parliament of Stockholm Margareta Cederfelt echoed the importance of inclusivity, emphasizing the outreach to elderly individuals, economically challenged youth, and families facing limitations. The goal is to ensure that everyone's voices and concerns are part of broader discussions on tourism, economic growth, and community development.

Krishnan continued the conversation on inclusivity, highlighting demographic shifts observed globally and the need to address generational challenges, income disparities, and social participation in the context of quality of life and sustainable tourism.

As the UEF6 Steering Committee embarks on the planning journey for the October 2024 forum, the commitment to sustainable tourism, economic growth, and community development stands as a beacon for constructive global dialogue and collaboration. The committee emphasizes that the inclusion of education and awareness is essential, and these subjects should be incorporated into the concept note and the topics of UEF6.