International Conference CZ PRES „Tourism Industry: Employment and Labour Market Challenges“ June 2009

„Social Tourism in the Czech Republic“ Zdenka Petrů, Department of Tourism UEP

Department of Tourism, University of Economics in Prague the longest tradition in education and research in tourism nowadays main topics o sustainable development of tourism o social tourism (tourism for all)

Department of Tourism UEP and European Social Fund 2 courses finaced from ESF and state budget „Rural Tourism“ in „Tourism for all“ (Social Tourism) in 2008

The „Tourism for all“ course acreditated course by the Ministry for Internal Affairs for its emploees and employees of regional governments organized as one day seminars in 5 regions outside Prague (Stredocesky, Liberecky, Pardubicky, Jihomoravsky and Jihocesky) also in e-learning version cca 170 graduates, about 2/3 employees of regional governments

The course content 1. tourism for all and its role in the modern society (typology of tourism, sustainable development of tourism, tourism for all as topic of EU and UNWTO) main segments of tourism for all specific needs of segments of tourism for all 2. application of tourism for all (specific products of tourism for all for respective segments) types of possible support of tourism for all participation (role) of different subjects in tourism for all 3. examples of good practices of tourism for all abroad and in the Czech Republic 4. possiblities and perspectives of development of tourism for all

Resources of good practices examples participation of department staff at social tourism seminars organized by EU and BITS special research seminar organized for students

Why ESF for financing education and trainging? enables to educate and pass the new information to students, public and stakeholders in tourism Why tourism for all (social tourism)? enables participation of specific segments in tourism: o youth o families with low incomes o handicaped people o seniors

Why tourism for all (social tourism)? brings economic effects to regional economy and enterpreneurs o permanent employment during the whole year o rentability and profitability of tourism industry in respect of prolonged main season

The above two aspects of tourism for all (social tourism) should be taken into consideration by all tourism stakeholders specially now in the time of economic slowdown.

Thank you for your attention