Tourism Professionals To Gather In Andorra To Discuss Hospitality Models In Mountain Destinations
The 10th edition of the World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism will take place from 21 to 23 March 2018 in Andorra, under the title “Shaping the Future of Hospitality in Mountain Destinations”. The Congress is organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Government of Andorra and the Commune of Escaldes-Engordany. The event, which is held every two years, is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year.
The meeting will bring together a wide variety of tourism professionals, ranging from managers of mountain tourism destinations to entrepreneurs in the accommodation sector.
This edition will feature some thirty international speakers and will be inaugurated by Antoni Martí, Head of Government of Andorra, Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General, and Trini Marín, Mayor of Escaldes-Engordany.
Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General enthused "2018 will mark the 10th anniversary of the World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism, organized by UNWTO and the Government of Andorra and taking place in Escaldes-Engordany. Next year’s congress will focus on the accommodation and hospitality industries."
H.E. Mr. Francesc Camp, Minister of Tourism of the Principality of Andorra said "For the 10th edition of the Congress, we are addressing a topic that is generating positive expectations as well as controversy. We will debate the current and future challenges of tourist accommodation in mountain destinations, as well as the new paradigms of demand in these kinds of destinations."
Hon. Ms. Trinitat Marin Gonzalez, Mayor Comú Escaldes-Engordany added "In 1998 Escaldes-Engordany hosted the very first World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism. It was a great success and ensured the continuation of the event. Ten editions later, this parish is once again hosting the congress, which has been established itself an unmissable event for professionals, politicians and industry experts in the international tourism calendar."
The new concept of ‘hospitality’
During the Congress, participants will address topics such as the repositioning of tourism accommodation, the challenges of hospitality, the impact of new platforms for tourism services or the so called sharing economy, artificial intelligence, and training as a key element for the success of a destination, among many others.
The event will be structured in six sessions, which will be held on 21 and 22 March at the Andorra la Vella Congress Centre. On Friday, 23 March, is a technical visit that will include a tour of the new facilities of ActuaTech in Caldea-Inúu, as well as various leisure activities.
The World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism
The World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism was born as an initiative of the UNWTO, the Government of Andorra and the seven Communes of Andorra, with the aim of constituting a permanent forum for the discussion of the development and sustainability of tourism in mountain areas. It is held every two years and is organized by each Commune in rotation.
