Busan’s International Tourism City Forum Busan International Tourism City Forum with UN Tourism, held the 8th of August 2024 at the Busan Bexco Convention in South Korea, brought together industry leaders, local businesses, and international experts from the tourism industry. 

Hosted by Busan Metropolitan City Tourism Association and with UN Tourism, Busan Tourism Organization and Busan Tourism Future Network as partners, the event brought panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to provide participants with new insights of the tourism industry.

GSTC CEO, Randy Durband and Koko Tang Founder of Colorful Earth and Board Member of GSTC participated in the session titled “Sustainable and Fair Tourism for Urban Development” along with colleagues Woo Kyung-ha, Secretary General of the Global City Tourism Promotion Organization, and Tae Eun-ji, World Tourism Organization Asia Pacific Regional Director, whom moderated the panel discussion. 

Busan’s International Tourism City Forum

“​​We must tackle social issues head-on, ensuring inclusiveness at every level— from policy-making to human resources and the overall visitor experience. By embedding social sustainability into our tourism strategies, we can create a more equitable and enriching environment for all, ensuring that both local communities and visitors benefit from responsible tourism practices,” said Koko Tang, Founder of Colorful Earth and Board Member of GSTC.

“Sustainability includes social responsibility, it’s not just about the environment, and we were pleased to contribute this vital discussion at this well-planned and executed day of sharing and learning,” adds GSTC CEO Randy Durband.

The forum successfully highlighted the important role of sustainability in tourism, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration.