Panel Discussion: Joining Hands to Cooperate in Tourism and Promote Innovation and Development

The Panel Discussion was moderated by Li Xinjian, Professor of Beijing International Studies University and World Tourism Cities Federation Expert.

The World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development 2022 (the Conference) took place on 1 September at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. The Conference hosted a panel discussion and invited five guests to participate in an in-depth discussion under the topic of "Joining Hands to Cooperate in Tourism and Promote Innovation and Development".

Melissa Pryce, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of Jamaica in China

The global tourism industry has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any city that depends upon tourism has a vested interest in finding new ways to promote the recovery of the industry and bring more vitality to its global tourist hotspots. Innovation is a driving force behind the development and the key to helping the industry out of this difficult situation. Where does innovation come from? Discussion participants shared their ideas on the topic. Melissa Pryce, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of Jamaica in China, said that Jamaica had set up special working teams and even launched "Resilient Corridors" and a "CARE Programme" to better handle changes in market needs and tourism-related issues following the pandemic. These measures had positive results in practice.

Natalia Francisca Cortés García, Trade Commissioner of the Embassy of Chile in China

Wang Silian, President of China CYTS Tours Holding Co., Ltd.

Natalia Francisca Cortés García, Trade Commissioner of the Embassy of Chile in China said that Chile would continue to integrate wellness tourism and sports tourism into the whole tourism industry and hoped to combine these new business forms with other industries, such as commercial tourism. Wang Silian, President of China CYTS Tours Holding Co., Ltd. shared the exploration of the company about how to make innovations in cultural tourism based on new leading thoughts, new guiding principles of strategies, and breakthroughs made in major projects.

Anouar Chetoui, Chief Representative of the Tunisian National Tourist Office

Zou Tongqian, Deputy Director of the World Tourism Cities Federation Expert Committee

Keeping people safe during the pandemic is crucial. "The most important thing is to ensure safe travel. Without that, there can be no travel at all. Tourism cannot take place without safe transportation," said Zou Tongqian, Deputy Director of the World Tourism Cities Federation Expert Committee. Zou also mentioned a belief that we should adopt modern technologies and implement changes in operation modes and systems to provide safer and more convenient transportation for tourists. Anouar Chetoui, Chief Representative of the Tunisian National Tourist Office, said that to create a safe traveling environment, Tunisia had adopted a series of measures for pandemic prevention and control. "The average rate of herd immunity has achieved 90% in Tunisia," Chetoui said.

To promote the recovery of the world tourism economy, what perspectives should be focused on in strengthening cooperation between countries so as to overcome current difficulties in the development of international tourism? Cortés, Trade Commissioner of the Embassy of Chile in China, mentioned the case of a scenic desert area in the north of Chile that was under the jurisdiction of Chile, Bolivia, and Peru and where tourists could visit the three countries at the same time. Pryce, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of Jamaica spoke about tourism cooperation between China and Jamaica. According to Pryce, China is the first country to enjoy visa-free tourism travel to Jamaica. Meanwhile, negotiations on aviation agreements are in process between the two countries. Pryce believed that cooperation in aviation would bring more Chinese tourists to Jamaica. "The cooperation carried out in global tourism should focus on long-term development rather than simple current or temporary objectives," said Li Xinjian, Professor of Beijing International Studies University and World Tourism Cities Federation Expert.

Group photo of the moderator and the participating guests