RESPONSIBLE TOURISM MANAGEMENT COURSE Antipodi for Youth Action for Change Fabio Sacco and Stefano Andreotti

Empowerment through education 10/24/2015RTD5 / EDMONTON WHO? Antipodi Antipodi is a group of consultants specialized in responsible tourism marketing whose mission is change management in tourism, which means interpreting and managing change as a competitive advantage for destinations and companies. Youth Action for Change (YAC) is an innovative international youth run non- profit organization which equips young people with knowledge and skills that enable them to directly get involved in improving their communities livelihoods. The goal is to train professionals who can contribute to economic and human development of their communities, developing tourist activities deeply rooted in the territory. Responsible tourism can become a driving force for the development of local communities.

The participants… 10/24/2015RTD5 / EDMONTON 20113

Responsible tourism as a tool for local development 10/24/2015RTD5 / EDMONTON The course aimed to provide participants with an adequate know- how on the following tasks: Responsible tourism planning, where tourism activity is intended as a driving force for local development; Assessing the natural, social and cultural resources of a territory, taking into account the needs of local communities in order to develop networks and alliances through cooperation and negotiation; Designing innovative tourism products; Developing a marketing and communication strategy.

Teaching Areas 10/24/2015RTD5 / EDMONTON Responsible Tourism Management Anthropology of tourism Destination marketing Communication and Web marketing Business Planning

10/24/2015RTD5 / EDMONTON Course scheduling Mon. Introduction of the teacher and delivery of materials Wed. Chat room with the teacher and launch of discussion on facebook Thu. Chat room with teacher or external expert Fri. Delivery of assignment Sun. End of the module with assignment completion Following Fri Assignment completion and correction

Free and open source technologies and platforms 10/24/2015RTD5 / EDMONTON 20117

Find three words to describe your country! Findings 10/24/2015RTD5 / EDMONTON History Tradition Food&wine Art Unity Trust Environment History Religion Tradition Hospitality Hospitable Traditional Temperamental Friendly Open-minded Armenia Zimbabwe Italy The Gambia

Can we use negative aspects to promote our destination? Findings 10/24/2015RTD5 / EDMONTON Can Gambia market itself as having such a service, become known for sex tourism and is this ethical? The question was authentic; First answer: sexual exploitation is a crime punished by the law; Second answer: it brings damages to the image of the destination as well. The perspective of participants is very different!

Responsible and community-based tourism.. Findings 10/24/2015RTD5 / EDMONTON “Responsible tourism comes with no positive effects on the community involved” Misunderstanding on the meaning of the words; Bad image of community-bases tourism; Existence of associations and NGOs which insists financing only these activities; Need to approach the sector of pro-poor tourism with the same commitment and know-how.

Yes, responsible tourism means different things to different markets (and destinations)! Findings 10/24/2015RTD5 / EDMONTON RT young network Common know-how and competences Call to action and to change Opportunity offered by new media

Thank you very much for your attention! Stefano Andreotti Fabio Sacco