1. International Conference on Co-operative Tourism Hotel Ramada, Raja Park, Jaipur 14 th & 15th October 2008

2. “Relevance and Feasibility of Co- operative Tourism in a globalised Economy” By Maurizio Davolio, TICA Coordinator

3. Legacoop Turismo 500 co-operatives among them: 15 consortiums of hoteliers 50 workers cooperatives 20 agrotourism cooperatives 200 travel agencies 46 fishermen cooperatives with tourism activity 30 social cooperatives with tourism activity

4. TICA, International Association of Tourism Cooperatives Set up in 1992 (fusion between IFPTO and UITCA) 1995, agreement with BITS 2001 TICA transformed into a network (no membership fee, no formal management structure), but some 90 co-operatives are participants in the network

5. BITS Bureau International du Tourisme Social 132 members from 33 countries Member of UNWTO Offices in Bruxelles and Montreal Website, magazine, widely recognised logo, newsletter Conferences, research activity, study projects But: a French speaking organization; no members in Asia so far

6. BITS A history of over 40 years Membership of non profit associations, cooperatives, States and Regions Areas of interest: tourism for families and pensioners, youth tourism, tourism for disabled: the so called social tourism Quebec Bamako, FITS

7. Tourism today The role of tourism in economy The perception of tourism Tourism’s resilience Tourism “pathologies”: damage to the environment, to local culture and tradition; abandonment of traditional crafts and professions; spread of crime, drugs, money laundering, prostitution; tension between tourists and residents; increase of cost of living; reduced availability of water e.g. The leakage, from 80%

8. Responsible tourism The role of the local community Environmental, social and economic sustainability Tourist adapts to the territory and its culture Lodging, restaurants, local transportations, shops, guide service and other services in the hands of local community: leakage under 60%

9. Responsible tourism Cultural events remain genuine, no staged authenticity Tourist meet the local community Reciprocal respect, conviviality Small groups, preparatory meetings before the departure, slow travelling, transparency of the price, evaluation questionnaire, financing local projects

10. AITR Italian Association for Responsible Tourism Set up in 1998, Legacoop one of the founders From 11 to 90 members, among them 30 co- operatives The largest organization in the world Small tour operators, NGOs, associations, co-operatives, environmental organizations, ECPAT, 9 foreign members Strong relation with UNWTO, ST-EP projects

11. EARTH European Alliance for Responsible Tourism and Hospitality Foundation day: 16 th October in Brussels Seat in Brussels, in the Diesis coop seat At least 20 founder members, from 7 countries Relations with the European institutions Links with other networks: Brasil, Republica Dominicana, Zanzibar

12. The role of the cooperative movement The ideals of the co-operative movement: participatory democracy; central role of the person; respect for labour; relationship between the co-operative and its territory; quality of human relations The community based tourism: the co- operative form

13. Some proposals 1.All interested components of the co- cooperative movement to be involved 2.Setting up networks at national or transnational levels 3.Creating an aggregation of tourism co- operatives for Asia & Pacific – establishing a relationship with BITS; candidature for a FITS Conference in Asia