Chen Jining, Chairman of the WTCF Council and Mayor of Beijing: Promoting Global Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of Global Tourism

On 3 September 2021, WTCF Beijing Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit & World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development commenced in the China National Convention Center, Beijing. It was jointly organized by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, various international organizations, and tourism institutions. The event was themed on Revitalizing World Tourism and Energizing City Development. Chen Jining, Chairman of the WTCF Council and Mayor of Beijing, was present and delivered an opening speech. He noted: "WTCF held the event with the aim of inspiring in-depth discussions on the new challenges and opportunities facing international tourism and global cities amidst the pandemic, as well as promoting the sharing of successes witnessed in the joint fight against COVID-19 and boosting tourism recovery. It is of great significance for stimulating the vitality and supporting the sustainable development of global tourism in the post-pandemic era". 

Chen Jining, Chairman of the WTCF Council and Mayor of Beijing, delivers an opening speech

Since last year, COVID-19 has dealt a serious blow to global economy and international tourism as well. To date, the tourism sector in 29% of global destinations have yet to recover to previous levels. Chen Jining stated that the recent event themed on "Revitalizing World Tourism and Energizing City Development," inspired in-depth discussions on the new challenges and opportunities the sector is facing  amidst the pandemic, as well as promoted the sharing of successes experienced in the joint fight against COVID-19. It is essential to stimulate the vitality and sustainable development of global tourism in the post-pandemic era. 

According to Chen Jining, gradual recovery of global tourism is accompanied by reform and transformation, and the sector is showing great promise of restoration. Amidst the pandemic, the tourism industry has taken immediate actions, quickly implemented plans for tourism revitalization, and created a series of new forms and patterns. Smart technologies represented by "5G+AI" and "5G+VR" have been widely applied, while cloud and virtual tourism, supported by digital technologies, have also witnessed robust development. Moreover, eco-friendly and healthy concepts are embraced by more people. Notably, decentralized trips involving small groups in low-density areas are gaining popularity, represented by ecotourism, a concept which features a number of elements such as:  health & well-being, high-quality tourism emphasizing leisure, entertainment, and cultural experiences. In addition, the integrated development of tourism and other sectors has become a new trend. Chen Jining stated: "These new changes and exciting results have strengthened our love for tourism and our confidence in tourism development. Besides, they have also injected greater vitality into the comprehensive recovery of tourism". 

Global cities are an important part of international tourism. Chen Jining noted that WTCF is an international organization initiated by Beijing, along with major global cities. Since its conception, WTCF has been adhering to the vision of Better City Life through Tourism and vigorously promoting exchanges, cooperation among world global cities, the notion of tourism globalization. Now the federation is playing a leading role in boosting the sustainable development of global tourism, particularly in the urban area. 

At the opening ceremony, Chen Jining spoke on three proposals concerning global tourism and relative personnel on behalf of WTCF. First, continuous support should be given to the tourism sector. It's imperative that governments of global cities will comprehensively strengthen cooperation in pandemic prevention and control. Also, it is necessary to build reliable tourism safety mechanisms, platforms of pandemic prevention and control, while supporting the sharing of information, and jointly creating a safe environment in the post-pandemic era. Moreover, they need to implement more effective incentive policies, give stronger support to major market entities like tourism agencies and hotels, enhance training of sector employees, in addition to better protect the rights and interests of these workers. Ultimately, build a solid foundation for tourism revitalization and tap the potential for further development. 

Second, it is necessary to enhance smart-technological management of tourism. Amidst the pandemic, substantive changes have taken place in tourism management patterns. Innovations like the smart management of scenic areas and unmanned hotels are becoming more prevalent. In this context, WTCF member cities and enterprises should react quickly to new changes in tourism markets, vigorously promote new patterns, adopt digital technologies to enhance further development and smart transformation. At the same time, tourism companies should focus more on self-improvement, fully utilizing modern technologies to create new tourism service patterns, in order to support the comprehensive development of the industry. 

Third, global tourism cooperation needs to be strengthened. The comprehensive recovery of the industry is crucial for the growth of the global economy. Considering this, global cities should promote the sharing of customer sources, experiences and standards, assist fellow member cities with promotions, share exemplary cases of sector development, open more cooperative channels, jointly set up assessment standards for industrial risks, as well as establish a tourism ecosystem characterized by collaboration and co-existence. 

Beijing, the city where WTCF is headquartered, has, ever since the COVID-19 outbreak, taken a series of effective measures under the new normal of pandemic prevention and control. It has, while supporting pandemic prevention and control, vigorously promoted the restart of production and industrial development, showing tremendous resilience in times of difficulties. In the first half of 2021, Beijing received about 130 million visits and registered 186.9 billion yuan in tourism revenues, both of which are 1.3 times those of the same period in 2020 and 80% of the same period in 2019. 

"In early 2022, Beijing will host the 24th Winter Olympics and Paralympics. This will be a new opportunity for enhancing global cooperation in tourism during the post-pandemic era. Beijing looks to continuously strengthen exchanges, cooperation and experience-sharing with WTCF member cities and institutions, so as to play a bigger role in boosting the revitalization of world tourism." Chen Jining said: "The event is a great gathering for global tourism and will remarkably promote international exchanges and cooperation. Hopefully, the participants will fully utilize the platform to conduct in-depth discussions and pool the practical knowledge available, so as to contribute more to tourism development."