
International Symposium on Green Tourism 2023 -A Challenge toward Environmentally Friendly Tourism for Prosperous Communities-
Organized by: Japan Tourism Agency/ UNWTO Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific
- Date
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February 10, 2023 (Fri) 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.(JST)
- Format of event
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Hybrid style (in-person/online)
Language: Japanese/English (simultaneous interpretation)
- Maximum number of participants
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[First come, first served basis]
In-person: 200/Online: 800 - Participants
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Tourism-related businesses and organizations, international organizations and
local government officials, those interested in green tourism and the environment, etc. can apply. - Venue
- The Grand Hall (Shinagawa, Tokyo)
Registration required
Free of charge
Outline
Do you know that there is a growing interest in environmentally friendly tourism?
In recent years, our planet has been hit by global warming and extreme weather, and people are becoming more conscious of the environment in their daily lives than ever before.
The same is true in the field of tourism. Green tourism has become more common, especially among travelers and tourism operators in Europe, the U.S., and Australia, as well as being brought up frequently in international discussions. It will attract more attention in the future.
In Japan, on the other hand, we could say that green tourism is not recognized and people do not understand what it is and what benefits it offers very well.
Green tourism not only preserves the natural environment in local communities, but also stimulates new tourism demand and promotes local employment. Therefore it contributes to sustainable tourism that realizes a virtuous cycle of economy and society in communities.
In this symposium, we will invite local governments and tourism-related businesses from inside and outside Japan as panelists who are working together to promote initiatives for green tourism in their communities and show some good practices. We hope that it will help to deepen your understanding of green tourism and make efforts for it in the future.
What Is Green Tourism?
In this symposium, we position green tourism as environmentally friendly tourism in one type of sustainable tourism.
Among the six lines of action, which represent several key elements in the “Recommendations for the Transition to a Green Travel and Tourism Economy (2021)” presented by the UNWTO Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific,we conducted a survey focusing on efforts related to climate action, biodiversity conservation, and the circular economy, including. reducing CO2 emissions at tourist destinations, accommodation facilities and tour programmes, reducing food waste and plastics, and protecting biodiversity and natural resources.
Program
Language: Japanese/English (simultaneous interpretation)
- Please note that speakers and program are subject to change without notice.
- Considering the purpose of this symposium (environmentally friendly initiatives such as reduction of plastic and food waste etc.), please note that we will not provide drinks during the break.
- We would appreciate your feedback on the symposium by a brief questionnaire (online).
(For both in-person and online participants)
Speakers
Keynote Speech
-
Dr. Dirk Glaesser
Director,
UNWTO Sustainable Development
of Tourism Department -
Ayako Toko
Professor
Division of Global Social Sciences
School of Arts and Sciences
Tokyo Woman’s Christian University
Case Study Presentation
-
Caroline
AndersonPlanning Director, Hawaii Tourism Authority
-
Asuka Hamakawa
Representative Director, Earth Company
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Naoto Endo
Representative Director, Tofuya Ryokan (Yamagata Prefecture)
-
Akinobu Ishimatsu
Section Manager, Town Planning Section, Economy Department, Aso City
-
Yoshinobu Funabashi
CEO, Hachimantai Geo Farm, (Iwate Prefecture) CEO, Hachimantai Geothermal Utilization Project Joint Enterprise Cooperative
-
Reiko Hamanaka
CEO, Tokuto LLC
Panelists
-
Mitsue Varley
Country Director, Hawai’i Tourism Japan
Venue

The Grand Hall (Shinagawa, Tokyo)
[Address]
Shinagawa Grand Central Tower 3F
2-16-4 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
[Access]
(1) 5 minutes walk from JR Line Shinagawa Station Konan Exit
(2) 5 minutes walk from Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Shinagawa Station Konan Exit
(3) 8 minutes walk from Keikyu Shinagawa Station
Application Method
- STEP1
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Fill the required items on the application form.
- STEP2
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A confirmation email will be sent to the registered email address.
A final information email will be sent by the day before the symposiumevent.
- STEP3
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Ont the day of the symposium, please inform your name and your company name or organization name at the reception.
- STEP1
-
Fill the required items on the application form.
- STEP2
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When the application is complete, you will receive a ZOOM URL at the email address you entered.
A final information email will be sent by the day before the event.
- STEP3
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On the day, please access to zoom URL.