Statutes (Approved on September 14, 2012)

Chapter One. General Provisions

Article One. Name

1.1 The name of this Organization is World Tourism Cities Federation (herein after referred to as WTCF).

Article Two. Nature

2.1 This Organization is a non-governmental, non-profit international organization for consultation and cooperation among international tourism cities.

Article Three. Purposes

3.1 In accordance with the core idea "Tourism Makes City Life Better", our purpose is to promote exchanges and cooperation among member cities in the tourism sector, to strengthen international exchanges among member cities and to promote the coordinated economic and social development of various cities.

Article Four. WTCF Seat

4.1 Beijing, China, is the permanent seat of the WTCF’s headquarters.

Article Five. Place of Registration and Legal Application

5.1 This Organization is registered in Beijing, China. It shall abide by the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China, the place of its registration. It shall be subject to the supervision and management of the requisite business authorities and community registration office where the headquarters is based.

5.2 The WTCF activities in member cities shall abide by the local laws and respect the local social customs and habits.

Chapter Two. Functions

Article Six. Functions

6.1 The WTCF functions are as follows:

6.1.1 Provide professional services for all members, establish a platform for exchanges and create opportunities for cooperation among members;

6.1.2 Carry out research on world tourism development and exchange information about the tourism development of member cities;

6.1.3 Popularize the experience of tourism-oriented management of member cities; formulate the guidelines for tourism development tactics of member cities;

6.1.4 Establish mutually beneficial mechanisms for tourism markets among member cities, jointly create markets; mutually provide tourist sources, carry out simultaneous publicity work, and strengthen cooperation regarding the development of tourism markets;

6.1.5 Carry out research about the standards system of tourist public services among member cities, formulate and popularize trade standards for tourist public service facilities, special tourist facilities and tourism reception services, promote the improvement of member cities' reception capacities and service levels for tourism;

6.1.6 Strengthen inter-member-city dialogues in the tourism sector; sponsor various kinds of meetings and exhibitions in light of the growth of market demands and provide members with a platform for exchange and cooperation;

6.1.7 Carry out personnel training to provide intellectual support for the operation and management of tourism enterprises;

6.1.8 Carry out assessments of tourism resources, survey tourism markets and make forecasts about the index of tourism prospects, publicize comprehensive or special information on the indexes of tourism cities and tourism enterprises, establish an information data bank for global tourism resources in order to provide information services for tourism managers;

6.1.9 In accordance with relevant regulations, release annual reports concerning the development of world tourism and about the growth of major tourism cities, so as to provide members and non-members with a useful database.

Chapter Three. Membership

Article Seven. Definition of Membership

7. 1 Membership of this Organization consists of city members and institutional members. At the same time, observers are permitted to attend.

7.2 City members refer to tourism cities of countries and regions throughout the world, which have joined the WTCF. The Chief Executives or their designated persons of these cities will take part in WTCF activities.

7.3 Institutional members refer to non-governmental organizations, associations and enterprises related with tourism in all cities. Their legal representatives will participate in WTCF activities in their place.

7.4 Observers refer to cities and organizations that have not formally joined WTCF but have the intention to take part in WTCF activities.

7.5 The country (or region) names, national flags, national anthems and national emblems of all members belonging to this Organization, as well other symbols representing States (or regions), shall all adopt the forms of address and designs recognized by the United Nations.

7.6 In all international documentation (including collection of treatises, rosters of membership, address books, name tags and desk signs), publications, website and other materials generated from international conferences or other international cooperative activities sponsored by this Organization, country (or region) names, national flags, national emblems or other signs representing countries (or regions) shall adopt the forms of address and designs recognized by the United Nations.

Article Eight. Conditions for Admission

8.1 Accept the WTCF Statutes;

8.2 Have the intention and capability to undertake the members’ obligations;

8.3 Have considerable influence in the world tourism sector.

Article Nine. Procedures for Admission

9.1 In accordance with the procedures prescribed by the WTCF, an applicant should submit an application in written form to the WTCF Secretariat for review. The latter shall report to the Council for discussion in regards to admission.

Article Ten. City Members' Rights

10.1 Rights to attend, address, vote and make proposals at the General Assembly;

10.2 Rights to elect and stand for election for the WTCF Council members related with city membership;

10.3 Right to freely use the trade data information provided by the WTCF;

10.4 Right to apply for organizing or supporting the WTCF-related activities;

10.5 Other rights granted by the WTCF.

Article Eleven. Institutional Members’ Rights

11.1 Rights to attend, address, vote and make proposals at the WTCF General Assembly;

11.2 Rights to elect and not to elect for the institutional members serving as Council members in the Council;

11.3 Compensated use of the trade data information provided by the WTCF;

11.4 Right to apply for organizing or supporting the WTCF-related activities;

11.5 Other rights granted by the WTCF.

Article Twelve. Members’ Obligations

12.1 Abide by the WTCF Statutes and the Council’s resolutions;

12.2 Attend the General Assembly and participate in the WTCF-related activities;

12.3 Safeguard the lawful rights and interests of the WTCF;

12.4 Pay membership dues according to relevant WTCF regulations;

12.5 Submit to the WTCF necessary, valid and reliable materials and information;

12.6 Other related obligations as prescribed by the WTCF.

Article Thirteen. Observers

The organization can accept observers. These observers can participate in the WTCF General Assembly, apply for and join WTCF’s activities, pay to use industry data information, and have other rights granted by WTCF.

Article Fourteen. Withdrawal

14.1 Members are free to withdraw from the WTCF.

14.2 When a member decides to withdraw from the WTCF, it should submit to the WTCF Secretariat an application for withdrawal in written form two months in advance. After the decision is made by the Council, the Chairperson of the Council shall send a notification in written form to the applicant and the decision shall come into effect one month after the date of signature.

14.3 The membership dues already paid shall not be refunded to the member applying for withdrawal.

Article Fifteen. Termination of Membership

15.1 Any member shall have its membership terminated if it has committed one of the following acts:

15.1.1 Serious violation of a WTCF Statute, failure to undertake the members’ obligations;

15.1.2 Serious breach of faith;

15.1.3 Serious damage to the rights and interests of the WTCF;

15.1.4 Losing contact with the WTCF for more than two years without a valid reason.

15.2 The Secretariat has the authority to terminate the membership after it has reported the case to the Council for discussion and decision. The said member has the right to ask for a hearing before the Council makes a final decision. The membership dues of the said member shall not be returned upon the termination of its membership.

Chapter Four. Organization

Article Sixteen. Organization

16.1 The main organs of the WTCF are as follows:

16.1.1 The General Assembly,

16.1.2 The Council,

16.1.3 The Secretariat.

16.2 The WTCF shall establish necessary auxiliary organs in accordance with this Statute.

Chapter Five. General Assembly

Article Seventeen. Functions and Powers of the General Assembly

17.1 The General Assembly, composed of all the members, is the Federation’s body for discussions and decision-making. It has the following functions and powers:

17.1.1 Discuss and decide matters which are in accord with the WTCF purposes;

17.1.2 Amend the WTCF Statute;

17.1.3 Elect the Council members;

17.1.4 Appoint and dismiss the Secretary-General;

17.1.5 Determine the assessment of membership dues;

17.1.6 Determine the place for holding the General Assembly;

17.1.7 Decide on matters related with the dissolution of the Federation;

17.1.8 Establish a committee of experts, to be composed of noted personnel from all countries;

17.1.9 Establish auxiliary organs for the performance of its functions.

Article Eighteen. Time and Venue for the General Assembly

18.1. The General Assembly is held once every four years. Should it be held in advance or be postponed owing to special circumstances, the city member organizing the Assembly should report to the Secretariat, which shall refer to the Council to make a decision.

18.2 The time and venue for each session shall be decided at the previous session of the Assembly. The Secretariat shall organize and coordinate the work regarding the following session.

Article Nineteen. Presidency of the General Assembly

19.1 The Assembly shall be organized by the city member where the Assembly is held. The Secretariat shall provide assistance in its preparations.

19.2 Presidency of the Assembly shall be assumed by the city member organizing the Assembly, and the city member is responsible for handling the procedural matters of the Assembly.

Article Twenty. Quorum for the General Assembly and Method of Voting

20.1 Quorum for the General Assembly shall be no less than two thirds of the entire city membership.

20.2 Every city member of this Federation shall have one vote. Any resolution of the Assembly shall come into effect only after consensus has been reached by all the city members, or it has been adopted by more than half of the city members by a vote.

Article Twenty-one. Special Conference of the General Assembly

21.1 When the General Assembly is not in session, in case of urgent necessity, a special conference of the Assembly may be held by proposal of the Council or if a joint proposal in writing is submitted by more than one fourth of the city members to discuss relevant urgent matters, which cannot be delayed until the next session of the General Assembly. The agenda of the special conference is the same as the Assembly.

Chapter Six. Council

Article Twenty-Two. Functions and Powers of the Council

22.1 The Council is the decision-making and executive organ of this Federation. It has the following functions and powers:

22.1.1 When the General Assembly is not in session, it can make resolutions on matters related with the purposes of this Statute, however the resolutions must not contradict the resolutions already made by the General Assembly;

22.1.2 Carry out the decisions of the General Assembly;

22.1.3 Review the annual report on WTCF work and the annual report on final accounts submitted by the Secretariat, review the report on the audit on financial implementation;

22.1.4 Recommend to the General Assembly the candidate for the Secretary-General;

22.1.5 Admit new members, decide on the withdrawal and termination of memberships;

22.1.6 Be responsible for the interpretation of this Statute;

22.1.7 Establish auxiliary organs necessary for performing its functions.

22.1.8 Determine the place for holding the annual World Tourism Expo and Beijing Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit. 

Article Twenty-Three. Council Members

23.1 The Council shall be composed of elected city members and institutional members, with city members accounting for 2/3 (two thirds) and institutional members accounting for 1/3 (one third) of the total Council membership.

23.2 The city members of the Council shall be decided by consensus through consultation or have the support of more than half of the city members in voting. Institutional members of the Council shall be decided by consensus through consultation or have the support of more than half of the institutional members in voting.

23.2.1 In principle, there should be no more than six members from the same country on the Council.

23.2.2 Each member, having tenure of office for four years, can be re-elected.

Article Twenty-Four. Chairperson of the Council

24.1 The Council meeting shall be presided over by the Chairperson of the Council.

24.2 The Chairperson shall be elected through consultation and recommendation of the Council members, with a term of office for four years, and can be re-elected and serve another term.

Article Twenty-Five. Time and Venue for Council Meeting

25.1 The Council shall hold at least one meeting every year. The meeting can be held in the place where the General Assembly is held, in the place where the annual Expo is held, or in the city where the headquarters is based. In accordance with the circumstances, the Council may hold communication meetings.

Article Twenty-Six. Quorum for the Council and Method of Voting

26.1 The Council meeting shall be held with the attendance of more than two thirds of the Council members, unless otherwise prescribed by this Statute and other relevant rules.

26.2 Every Council member shall have one vote. Any resolution of the Council shall come into effect only after it has been passed by more than two thirds of the Council members by a vote.

Chapter Seven. Secretariat

Article Twenty-Seven. Functions and Powers of the Secretariat

27.1 The Secretariat is the day-to-day administrative organ of the Federation. It is composed of the Secretary-General and their staff. Its functions and powers are as follows:

27.1.1 Be responsible for the operation and management of the day-to-day administrative affairs of the Federation;

27.1.2 Implement the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Council;

27.1.3 Submit to the Council the annual report on the WTCF work, the annual report on the budget and final accounts and the report on the audit on the financial implementation;

27.1.4 Raise and manage the WTCF funds;

27.1.5 Accept and examine applications for admission into or withdrawal from the WTCF and submit them to the Council for decision;

27.1.6 Provide human resources training to members and other cooperative parties;

27.1.7 Establish and manage a global networking and information-exchange platform;

27.1.8 Handle other affairs as entrusted or authorized by the Assembly or the Council;

27.1.9 Establish auxiliary functional departments for tourism cooperation, city popularization, tourism standardization, academic research and internal management.

Article Twenty-Eight. Secretary-General

28.1 The Secretary-General shall lead the Secretariat and act as the legal representative of the WTCF. In performing their functions, the Secretary-General and the staff members of this organization shall not ask for or accept the instructions of any government or other authorities beyond this organization. They are accountable solely to this organization.

28.2 The candidate for the Secretary-General shall be nominated by the city member of the WTCF headquarters-based city, to be reviewed and recommended by the Council and appointed by the General Assembly. The Secretary General, with a term of office for four years, can be re-elected.

28.3 The functions and powers of the Secretary-General are as follows:

28.3.1 Handle daily administrative work of the WTCF;

28.3.2 Participate in external activities on behalf of the WTCF;

28.3.3 Attend the General Assembly and the Council meeting;

28.3.4 Employ by contract or dismiss staff members of the Secretariat;

28.3.5 Put forward motions to the Assembly or the Council;

28.3.6 Handle other affairs as entrusted or authorized by the Assembly or the Council.

Article Twenty-Nine. Deputy Secretaries-General

29.1 The Secretariat shall have a number of Deputy Secretaries-General. They shall be nominated by the Secretary-General and appointed by the Council.

29.2 The functions and powers of Deputy Secretaries-General are as follows:

29.2.1 Assist the Secretary-General in dealing with routine affairs;

29.2.2 Upon authorization, perform the functions of the Secretary-General on behalf of the Secretary-General when he/she is unable to perform his/her functions;

29.2.3 Handle other affairs as entrusted or authorized by the Secretary-General.

Article Thirty. Staff Members of the Secretariat

30.1 Efficiency, talent and loyalty shall be the top priority of conditions for the employment and service of staff members of the Secretariat.

Article Thirty-One. Termination of the Duties of Secretary-General and Deputy Secretaries-General

31.1 The duties of Secretary-General and Deputy Secretaries-General shall be terminated under the following circumstances:

31.1.1 A written resignation is submitted to and approved by the Council;

31.1.2 The Council adopts a dismissal resolution when he/she commits a serious dereliction of duty or cannot perform his/her functions.

Chapter Eight. Management and Use of Assets

Article Thirty-Two. Sources of Funds

32.1 The WTCF funds come from:

32.1.1 Membership dues;

32.1.2 Voluntary donations by natural persons, legal persons or other organizations;

32.1.3 Social donation;

32.1.4 Government subsidies by relevant countries and cities;

32.1.5 Incomes from activities or services carried out within the scope of approved business;

32.1.6 Other legitimate incomes.

Article Thirty-Three. Use of Funds

33.1 All WTCF funds shall be used for achieving WTCF purposes within the scope prescribed by this Statute and other detailed rules of WTCF.

Article Thirty-Four. Assets and Financial Management

34.1 No WTCF member, organ or individual may occupy, secretly divide, misappropriate or illegally use WTCF assets and properties;

34.2 The WTCF shall abide by internationally recognized accounting norms and financial regulations. It shall establish a stringent financial management system and ensure that all accounting materials are legal, true and intact;

34.3 Professional accounting personnel shall be staffed to administer financial accountants according to relevant laws and regulations of the country where the headquarters is based;

34.4 Management of WTCF assets shall be supervised by the General Assembly and the local financial authorities where the headquarters is based. Before any reelection or change of the legal representative, WTCF shall accept the financial audit organized by the community registration office and competent business authorities. Every year the WTCF accounts shall be audited by an accounting firm with internationally recognized qualification;

34.5 The insurance, welfare and other treatment of WTCF official staff members may refer to relevant regulations of the country where the headquarters is based.

Chapter Nine. Statute Amendment

Article Thirty-Five. Statute Amendment

35.1 Statute amendments shall be considered by the Council and then to be submitted to the General Assembly. Decisions shall be made with the approval of 2/3 (two thirds) of the members attending the Assembly through voting.

35.2 Statute amendments, within 15 (fifteen) days after they have been passed by the Assembly, shall come into effect after they have been examined and approved by the competent business authorities where the headquarters is based and reported to the community registration office for review and consent.

Chapter Ten. Dissolution

Article Thirty-Six. Dissolution Procedures

36.1 Dissolution of the WTCF shall go through the following procedures:

36.1.1 The proposal to dissolve the WTCF shall be submitted to the General Assembly for discussion after it has been considered by the Council;

36.1.2 The General Assembly shall reach a dissolution resolution according to the above proposal;

36.1.3 The resolution on the dissolution of the WTCF shall be subject to the review and consent of the competent business authorities of the headquarters-based country;

36.1.4 Before its dissolution, the WTCF shall establish a clearing committee according to international practice and the laws and regulations of the headquarters-based country to sort out WTCF assets and debts. During the clearing period, it shall not engage in any other activities;

36.1.5 WTCF shall be deemed as officially dissolved after its registration is nullified at the community registration office of the headquarters-based country;

36.1.6 Any surplus in the WTCF assets after liquidation of its debts shall be devoted to the development of undertakings in line with the WTCF purposes under the supervision of the registration office.

Chapter Eleven. Auxiliary Provisions

Article Thirty-Seven. Statute Details

37.1 Matters not covered in this Statute shall be prescribed in relevant detailed rules formulated by the Council.

Article Thirty-Eight. Languages

38.1 The WTCF’s working languages are Chinese and English. In case of any divergence in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

Article Thirty-Nine. Time of Adoption

39.1 This Statute was adopted by voting at the WTCF inaugural meeting on September 14th, 2012.

Article Forty. Coming into Force

40.1 This Statute shall come into force on the date of review and consent by the community registration office of the city of the headquarters-based country.