A representative of the International University of Tourism and Hospitality participated in the international 2026 KOPIST High-Level Tourism Policy Forum and Working-Level Training programme, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea and the Korea Tourism Organization.
The KOPIST programme is one of the key initiatives of the Republic of Korea in the field of sustainable tourism and international cooperation. It is aimed at promoting knowledge exchange among partner countries, developing the professional competencies of tourism industry specialists, and preparing practical project proposals in the field of regional and sustainable tourism.
As part of the programme, participants attended the High-Level Tourism Policy Forum, which was held in Sejong under the theme “Strategic Destination Marketing for Regional Tourism Development.” The forum addressed current issues of strategic destination marketing, regional tourism promotion, the use of tourism data, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence in tourism marketing.
Special attention was paid to international and Korean practices in regional tourism development, destination branding, community engagement, and enhancing the competitiveness of tourism destinations. During the panel discussions, participants from different countries exchanged experiences and discussed prospects for further cooperation in the tourism sector.
From May 22 to June 8, 2026, the KOPIST Working-Level Training programme was also held. It included lectures, practical seminars, consultations with professors and experts, as well as field trip programmes. The training covered such areas as strategic tourism marketing, sustainable tourism, community-based tourism, digital transformation, tourism ODA, tourism product development, and Action Plan preparation.
Particular attention during the programme was given to the practical development of project initiatives. A project aimed at developing community-based tourism and sustainable rural tourism in the Katon-Karagai District was prepared and presented by representatives of the International University of Tourism and Hospitality and JSC «Kazakh Tourism National Company».
As a result of the programme, the project was successfully defended at the international Action Plan Contest among the projects of KOPIST participating countries. Following the competition, the project received a prize-winning place, which became significant recognition of its relevance, practical orientation, and potential for the development of regional tourism in Kazakhstan.
The participation of the International University of Tourism and Hospitality in the KOPIST 2026 programme contributes to strengthening international cooperation, expanding academic and professional ties, and introducing advanced international experience in the field of sustainable tourism development.
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