IGCF 2024 in Sharjah: Global experts to explore adventure tourism as a soft power

Themed “Agile Governments… Innovative Communication”, the 13th edition will offer a robust programme with in-depth discussions on these key topics at a crucial time for the UAE. The nation is celebrating significant achievements in economic diversification and the increased contribution of non-oil sectors to GDP, supporting sustainable and inclusive development locally and globally.

An Allied Market Research report predicts that the global adventure tourism market is expected to reach $2 trillion by 2032. This growing economic sector is part of the global shift towards adventure and outdoor activities, promising significant opportunities for growth and innovation.

In response to this growing trend, this year’s forum will focus on the “adventure economy,” which encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, products and technologies.

The session, “When Adventure Turns into Soft Power,” will explore how this emerging sector can improve a country’s global image and competitiveness, transforming it into an influential soft power. The discussion will also cover growth and innovation opportunities, hiring talent and creative ideas, and creating an interactive environment that encourages the exchange of knowledge and ideas between entrepreneurs and investors. This would increase the contribution of the adventure economy to GDP and create employment and business opportunities.

In light of recent global economic fluctuations, slowdowns and booms across sectors, the forum will focus on the challenges and opportunities these market changes bring.

The session entitled “From the foundations of a resilient economy to the art of communication” will discuss the strategic importance of supporting economic resilience in order to build stable market foundations, achieve sustainable growth in all sectors and promote sustainable development.

Experts and specialists will also explore how effective communication can drive resilience across economic sectors and explore practical strategies to develop partnerships and collaborations, integrating local communities into development and production processes. The session will also assess the broader impact of resilience on sustainable development, social development and overall well-being.

The IGCF 2024 sessions are based on forward-looking research and data, particularly in the silver economy. This concept is driven by significant demographic changes over the past three decades, with projections that by 2050 older people will make up more than 17 percent of the world’s population.

This demographic change has led governments and policymakers to rethink the quality of life of seniors and their ongoing productivity, leading to the emergence of new economic models, in particular the silver economy.

The Government Talks platform will host the conference “How is ageing becoming the core of the silver economy?”

It will explore the role of communication in the development of this critical economic sector. Discussions will include effective strategies for attracting investment, fostering an enabling environment for startups and SMEs within the silver economy, and exploring collaborative initiatives between governments and the private sector. The session will highlight global best practices and how to leverage them to gain maximum benefits.

Registration for and participation in IGCF 2024 is available on the International Government Communications Centre (IGCC) website.