Qu Yingpu, Deputy Secretary-General of WTCF, chair of the Committee of Media Organizations and Deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily stresses digital media's role in promoting tourism.[Photo by Cong Fangjun/chinadaily.com.cn]

Digital media and its applications will promote tourist cities as well as their cultures in the world through frequent exchanges of information and personal experiences, which will be one of the priorities of the Media Organizations of World Tourism Cities Federation.

"The digital media, such as the social network services, has shown its particular strength in interaction and convenience, playing an increasingly critical role in promoting cities’ tourism in the world,"said Qu Yingpu, Deputy Secretary-General of WTCF, chair of the Committee of Media Organizations and Deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily on Friday.

The Committee of Media Organization is the platform under the WTCF that releases news about international tourism and urban development, and an observer, researcher and force to promote the urban economy and cultural development from a tourism perspective.

"The cultural exchanges can reduce the misunderstandings and bias between countries," Qu said, "Tourism has been a good way in cultural exchanges because people can know each other better and it can also break the ice between countries."

To strengthen the promotion of tourism in cities, the traditional media, news websites and online and offline travel agencies need to take better use of newmedia and technology to spread the information and tour services, he suggested. There is also need for innovation and breakthroughs on travel services to enhance the interaction among countries and cities.