Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UNWTO: Deepening Cooperation for Common Development, Promoting Recovery and Revitalization of Global Tourism

On 3 September 2021, WTCF Beijing Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit & World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development opened at the China National Convention Center, Beijing, with the theme of "Revitalizing World Tourism and Energizing City Development". It was organized by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and the People's Government of Beijing Municipality together with the world's major international organizations and tourism institutions. At the opening ceremony, Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), delivered a video speech.

Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), delivers a video speech

Zurab Pololikashvili noted that the successful event has shown the world that global tourism is regaining vitality and confidence. Another important message is that tourism is fully prepared for a robust restart and will further tap its own potential to support the inclusive and sustainable development of cities around the world.

Zurab Pololikashvili observed that UNWTO and WTCF, as long-term partners, have been closely working together by launching a series of projects to develop city tourism. They have provided guidance and plans for enhancing the competitiveness and sustainable development of cities. In the future, the two sides will build on these effective measures to deepen cooperation in multiple fields and from various perspectives.

Ever since early 2020, COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges to global tourism. But it has also inspired the world to rethink the role played by tourism in future development of cities. Currently, an increasing rate of vaccination globally has helped many countries reopen their borders, numerous tourism workers have gone back to work, and tourists' confidence are being gradually restored. Notably, domestic tourism in various countries has seen a boom, and China is one of them. However, crises have not ended yet. Travel restrictions and a lack of coordination of travel rules remain the main obstacles to global tourism recovery. Zurab Pololikashvili said: "The world will get moving again, and we need to be ready when it does[c1] ".

In his speech, Zurab Pololikashvili mentioned that "UNWTO Mayors Forum for Sustainable Urban Tourism" held by UNWTO in 2019 has highlighted the important role of tourism in driving cities' development. "In earlier July this year, we gathered several cities in Portugal, and there we adopted the Porto Declaration on Tourism and the Future of Cities, setting serious actions to work together for city tourism". In addition, he stressed that the core concept of the declaration is fully in line with Agenda for the Future Development of World Tourism Cities (2021-2030) released by WTCF at the event. UNWTO has contributed to the formulation of the agenda, and mutual cooperation will facilitate the implementation of the crucial agenda so that tourism will play a bigger role in enhancing the recovery and sustainable development of cities around the world.

Zurab Pololikashvili noted that this event has built a great platform for exchanges on seeking new drivers of tourism development in the post-pandemic era. He hoped the event would be a great success and that its key research results would benefit the globe.