DICT ATTENDS WORLD YOUTH STUDENT TRAVEL CONFERENCE
October 19, 2010 by dyertrust
WORLD YOUTH STUDENT TRAVEL CONFERENCE OCTOBER 2010BEIJING, CHINA
Beijing, China, was the setting of this years World Youth Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) attended byBrenda Walterson behalf ofMarine Dynamics/Dyer Island Conservation Trust. This event is attended by 565 people from 63 countries and the South African delegation sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry really made a hit with their South African village at the trade fair. The South African Youth Travel Confederation (SAYTC) of which Marine Dynamics are members arrange the logistics and did an amazing job of colourful South African posters that really served to sell the country.
Our objective at WYSTC was to meet potential and current agents that can sell our volunteer and intern programme. Marine Dynamics has run a payingvolunteer programmefor some years and now with the currentshark tagging projectand other upcoming research, we are able to offer the opportunity to students of marine biology and related studies to join as an intern and work closely with ourmarine biologists. Credits can be obtained for their University studies. All profits from the intern programme go into research and conservation.
One of the highlights of the event was a volunteer day arranged for the delegates at the Beijing Century Experimental School (Bai Nian School) where delegates together with a translator taught classes.
Delegates received a warm welcome from the school founder and principal and adonation of English books was made by the delegates.
It is at events like WYSTC that relationships are built with both international and local contacts.
DTI sponsored an evening which was also attended by the SA Tourism Beijing Office, and believe the bid for Cape Town to host the 2012 WYSTC will be successful.
Brenda Walters
