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British University Vietnam is pleased to support “Viet Youth on Sustainable Tourism” (VYST) to organize:

ASEAN YOUTH ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM – AYST Exchange Program

Tourism is regarded as one of the greatest industries contributing to the economic development of Southeast Asia (SEA). It is reported by the UNWTO that from January to April 2018, international arrivals increased in all regions, led by Asia and the Pacific (+8%), with South-East Asia (+10%) and South Asia (+9%) driving results. In another report of WTTC, it is stated that the direct contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP was USD135.8bn (4.9% of GDP), and the industry supported 49,516,000 jobs (13.7% of total employment) in the SEA in 2017.

Young generations are believed to play an important role in the efforts of achieving Sustainable Tourism Development goals. UNWTO’s former Secretary-General Taleb Rifai once stated that “Young people, recognized by the United Nations as a major force for development and social change, have the potential to drive sustainable development in the tourism sector”. Endorsing this belief, AYST exchange program is initiated by students, and for ASEAN students, and non-ASEAN students who have interests in ASEAN community development to learn about issues in Tourism Industry globally. This is a professional and empirical learning environment where young tourism professionals can meet experts and fellows from different countries, participate in field trips to local businesses and heritage sites, encounter real situations, raise their voices, and stimulate initiatives and leadership towards Sustainable Tourism Development.

Main purposes of AYST program include:

• Raising awareness of younger generations about Sustainable Tourism Development in the ASEAN region.
• Stimulating dialogues, workshops, cultural exchange and discovery, networking and more, for young people within ASEAN, on Tourism and Sustainability.
• Building a community of young tourism professionals for knowledge and expertise exchange in the region.
• Strengthening the ASEAN community of youth by driving peace and mutual understanding through Tourism.
• Empowering cross-border exchanges and collaborations to unlock the potentials of ASEAN young human capital in the Tourism sector.

ABOUT AYST 2019 EXCHANGE PROGRAM

THEME  ‘SOCIAL INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN TOURISM’

In today’s world, when sustainable development is an ever-increasing concern worldwide, every industry is required to associate economic development with social and environmental values, including tourism. Sustainable tourism is a proven tool for development, benefiting communities in destinations around the world. As the demand for global tourism continues to grow, the opportunities for sustainable development also increase. In the private sector, the demand for sustainable tourism also changes the way businesses are operated. While big companies have been creating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to perform their responsibilities over the environment and community, there is a budding sector identified as  social enterprises. Though working towards social benefits, the concepts and scales of CSR and social enterprises differ. It is interesting to learn about what CSR and social enterprises are  like in the Tourism context and the potential partnerships of the two parties to make greater impacts and make Tourism an industry that is ethical and beneficial for all.

LOCATION

Hanoi, Vietnam

DATE

April 3rd – 7th, 2019

AGENDA

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants for AYST Exchange Program:

• Must be aged between 18 and 26 years old;
• Would hold ASEAN citizenship, however, non-ASEAN citizens having interests in the region’s development are encouraged to apply;
• Should be under/post-graduates or fresh graduates who have background/ knowledge/ or passion about tourism/ sustainable development/ engineering/ technology/ CSR/ social entrepreneurship;
• Must have a good level of English to understand, present and collaborate throughout the event.

PARTICIPATION FEE

Participants are asked to pay a modest participation fee of $150 or 125$

 Full Package – 150$

Including:

• Access to seminar and breakout sessions, field trips and cultural activities during the program;
• Local transportation;
• Accommodation (one of coolest hostels in Vietnam!);
• All main meals from the evening of April 4th to the evening of April 7th, and tea-break snacks among sessions;
• Event kit (tote bag, notebook and pen, ID card, freebies from sponsors/partners).

Not including:

• Travel fee to and from Hanoi;
• Travel insurance;
• Any additional/alternative food and drink;
• Non-essential purchases such as souvenirs.

 Non-accommodation Package – 125$

Including:

• Access to seminar and breakout sessions, field trips and cultural activities during the program;
• Local transportation;
• All main meals from the evening of April 4th to the evening of April 7th, and tea-break snacks among sessions;
• Event kit (tote bag, notebook and pen, ID card, freebies from sponsors/partners).

Not including:

• Accommodation;
• Travel fee to and from Hanoi;
• Travel insurance;
• Any additional/alternative food and drink;
• Non-essential purchases such as souvenirs.

WHY JOIN US?

• You will immerse yourself in a professional, empirical, and diverse learning environment with like-minded ASEAN peers.
• You will participate in a special experience of learning while localizing.
• You will meet and be inspired by international and local experts in the Tourism Industry in Vietnam.
• You will be a part of the ever growing community of young tourism professionals globally.
• You will learn about how Tourism can help boost mutual understanding, peace and shared prosperity for the ASEAN community.
• You will visit Vietnamese heritage sites, and get involved in cultural activities in the beautiful country of Vietnam and learn about our 4000-year history and what makes us a timeless charm of Southeast Asia.
• You will become a responsible traveler and a youth ambassador for a future of Sustainable Tourism.

GOOD TO KNOW!

• Though we are not able to directly offer any sort of financial support, Official Invitation Letter and Call for Sponsorship Letter will be available for selected participants as supporting documents to seek funding from a 3rd party, and to serve other purposes if necessary such as visa application.
• Detailed Information Pack will be sent to selected participants only.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS

Viet Youth on Sustainable Tourism (VYST) is a non-profit student initiative working on the concept of sustainability issues in the Tourism Industry. The project is carried out with the aims of raising youth’s awareness about the importance of sustainable tourism development, spreading the message of responsible travelling, and providing innovative and empirical learning dynamics for young tourism professionals. VYST team members are the organizing committee of AYST Exchange Program.

British University Vietnam (BUV) is the leading provider of world-class higher education and professional development for ambitious and career focused individuals in Vietnam. BUV’s mission is to contribute to society and economic growth through the pursuit of exceptional teaching and learning and an innovative and meaningful engagement with business and community at the highest international levels of excellence. BUV is proud to be the umbrella organization for VYST and now the principal contributor for AYST Exchange Program.