Tourism and culture, new paradigms for sustainable development The Summits of Tourism : A beautiful idea... Tourism, which is on the way to becoming the most important economic branch on a worldwide scale, requires a global vision from now on. A post-modern phenomenon par excellence, it is the most tangible expression of, and the most promising for, a new worldwide friendliness. Its social, economic, financial, political, cultural, and obviously ecological impacts are a call to concerted action based on interdisciplinary scientific approaches. ...which materialize ! Since 1999, the Summits of Tourism of Chamonix Mont Blanc/Geneva are a privileged place for thought, discussion and the exchanging of experiences concerning the problems of sustainability and the balancing of the environment, economy, society and culture in the framework of tourism development. They gather everyone actively involved in the preservation and enrichment of our patrimony, and in the implementation of propositions for sustainable development: tourism ministers, officials in charge of tourism policies, heads of companies and actors in the tourism industry, teachers and researchers, NGO officials in the tourism sector, community officials, journalists, etc. In Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Because one of the places where tourism was invented is quite appropriate for questioning the future of world tourism. Hence, because in Chamonix, authorities and the general population are confronted every day with putting the concept of sustainable tourism development into practice ; because the largest Alpine tourist resort is called to examine the spatial and ecological consequences of urbanisation ; because it must at the same time revitalise its tourism supply and reposition itself in the markets. Inaugural meeting Tourism and culture : new paradigms ? Welcome remarks Brief introduction to the discussions First discussion : Is globalisation leading to an obliteration of cultural differences ? Second discussion : Civilisation of leisure, authentic or simulated ? Workshop Sessions Tourism : a dream factory ? Cultural riches : a certain potential for human tourism Collective imagination : the basis for creating images Heritage and cultural event : a source for developing products Links between culture and tourism on the local level : the example of the Mont Blanc region Real-life emotional experience of the cultural world: the presentation of products Integration of the local setting : the guarantee of local uniqueness Closing session The final large panel discussion of the conference cycle : what role can tourism play in the arrival of a better world ? Conclusions Sustainable Development in Tourism Prize from the Summits of Tourism Scientific Committee of the Tourism Summits