On the afternoon of September 12, the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development 2024 opened at the China National Convention Center. Yin Yong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, Mayor of Beijing, and Chairman of the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Council, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

Yin Yong stated that tourism plays a crucial role in promoting in-depth exchange and mutual understanding among different countries and cultures, as well as driving economic growth and creating jobs. As a significant global tourism destination, Beijing emphasizes the development of its tourism industry, consistently enhancing supply and services to meet visitors’ needs. As a result, the tourism sector is experiencing rapid recovery. He urged all WTCF members to adapt to and embrace trends in tourism consumption, comprehensively upgrade tourism quality, and launch more distinctive and innovative tourism products to provide visitors with richer and higher-quality services. By further leveraging digital technology, we can explore new opportunities for tourism development, cultivate new quality productive forces in the sector, and creatively allocate tourism resources. The aim is to create new business forms, scenarios, and models that are loved by people, such as immersive and interactive experiences. Additionally, tourism cities should deepen exchanges and cooperation to share the new dividend of global tourism. The WTCF is committed to establishing platforms and utilizing multilateral cooperation mechanisms to increase resource sharing, information exchange, and foster mutually beneficial markets, thereby promoting the prosperity of the global tourism economy. All members and guests are encouraged to share their insights and engage in pragmatic cooperation to create a new landscape for global tourism development.

Maurizio Rasero, Governor of Asti Province and Mayor of Asti City, Italy, and Gao Zheng, Director of the National Museum of China and Director General of the Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, delivered speeches. Guided by the vision of “Better City Life through Tourism”, the WTCF is committed to advancing exchange, cooperation, and sustainable development among global tourism cities. The number of its member cities and institutions has grown from 58 to 246, covering 86 countries and regions worldwide. Themed “Boosting Cross-Border Tourism for Enhancing Mutual Learning among Civilizations”, this year’s World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development features the Mayor’s Forum, Signing Ceremony, Research Outcome Release Session, Exhibition, and Special Forum of China Inbound Tourism.

Sima Hong, Vice Mayor of Beijing and Executive Vice Chair of the WTCF Council, and Zeng Jin, Secretary General of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, attended the conference.

(Written by Yang Qi)