Tourexpi
UN Tourism and China strengthen ties as leaders chart new course for Global Tourism Economy Forum
In
the Chinese capital, UN Tourism Secretary-General Pololikashvili met with
China's Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli to advance critical priorities
across the global tourism agenda. These include positioning tourism within
international development cooperation to promoting tourism education.
Additionally,
the bilateral meeting also focused on advancing the sector’s key role in rural
development. The UN Tourism leadership acknowledged that the Chinese government
actively participates in the Best Tourism Villages initiative by UN Tourism. In
2024, a further 7 villages were selected as the Best Tourism Villages, taking
the total in China to 15. This makes China the country with the most villages
given this recognition by UN Tourism.
UN
Tourism also recognized China’s decision to extend the visa-free policy for
citizens of 38 countries until the end of 2025 and to strongly promote the
measures for the convenient payment services for foreign visitors. This policy
is anticipated to further promote the development of Chinese inbound tourism.
Advancing
the Global Tourism Economy Forum
The
official visit coincided with the Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) Council
Preparatory Meeting, held to chart a strategic roadmap for the Forum's future.
Since its establishment in Macao SAR in 2012, the Global Tourism Economy Forum
has been a vital bridge connecting tourism stakeholders from China and around
the world, fostering dialogue between policymakers, industry leaders, and
entrepreneurs to advance sustainable tourism development.
The
Preparatory Meeting, brought together leaders from GTEF's long-standing
Partners and Supporting Units including UN Tourism, World Travel & Tourism
Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), European Travel
Commission (ETC), World Tourism Alliance (WTA), World Tourism Cities Federation
(WTCF), the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA), the China Chamber
of Tourism, and the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO). UN Tourism's
participation reflects its continued commitment to GTEF, a partnership that
began with the Forum's establishment in 2012 and was strengthened in 2023 to
expand GTEF’s global reach and influence.
Building
on GTEF's decade-long legacy of fostering meaningful dialogue in the global
tourism economy, participants laid the groundwork for the GTEF Council, which
will serve as the Forum's permanent governing body for strategic leadership and
decision-making. The GTEF Council aims to establish a strategic vision to
position GTEF as the 'Davos of Tourism,' creating a dynamic platform where
public and private stakeholders converge to shape the industry's future.
Through this enhanced governance framework, GTEF will strengthen its role as a
catalyst for innovation and cross-sector collaboration in global tourism.
Image
Credit: © UN Tourism
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