Boosting Cross-Border Tourism for Enhancing Mutual Learning among Civilizations: 2024 World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development is Coming Soon

The 2024 World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development (hereinafter referred to as the "Conference") hosted by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) is scheduled to be launched on September 12 at the China National Convention Center. Since 2020, four consecutive sessions of the Conference have been held. As a sub-event of this year's China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), themed "Boosting Cross-Border Tourism for Enhancing Mutual Learning among Civilizations", the Conference aims to inspire thoughts on tourism cooperation and mutual learning among civilizations among the stakeholders and practitioners of the global tourism industry, and inject new vitality into the future growth of global tourism industry. The Conference will feature a range of sections, including the opening address, a section for releasing academic reports, several signing ceremonies, a special forum on the inbound tourism sector of China, a forum for mayors, an inbound tourism trade fair, and a special training program. It will be attended by more than 400 guests from 45 countries and regions, including the representatives of WTCF's members, experts and scholars, as well as delegates from media, famous tourism enterprises and investment institutions. 

This conference is expected to boost cooperation and exchanges among tourism cities, promote the development and prosperity of China's inbound tourism sector, and serve as an international bridge for exchanges and fusion of cultures, mutual learning among civilizations and people-to-people connectivity. 

Mayors of Famous Tourism Cities to Discuss a New Initiative for Mutual Learning Among civilizations Around Globe

Among the 400+ attending guests of the Conference, eight mayors and deputy mayors of world-renowned tourism cities from seven countries including the UK and Spain will gather in Beijing to discuss the path of cross-border tourism towards development and prosperity, to jointly write a new chapter of international cultural exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. 

A mayors' forum will be held during the Conference, where Justine Simons, Deputy Mayor of London and Chair of the World Cities Culture Forum will deliver a keynote speech centered on "Boosting Cross-Border Tourism and Enhancing Mutual Learning among Civilizations". The discussion part of the forum will be attended by the mayors and deputy mayors from five famous tourism cities including Turin and Punta Cana. The Conference will also be attended by ambassadors of Nicaragua, El Salvador, Ecuador and other countries to China. At the special forum on the inbound tourism sector of China, the CEO of the Tourist Organization of Belgrade (TOB), and the Director of Bogotá Tourism Institute will have in-depth discussions on the topic of "Inbound Tourism Promotes the Development of Urban Tourism". 

Three International Cooperation Agreements to Be Signed for a New Pattern of Cross-Border Tourism Cooperation

During the Conference, an MoU of cooperation on China's inbound tourism sector will be officially signed between WTCF and nine cities including Beijing, Qingdao and Dalian, international travel agencies including Hankyu Travel (China) and Turistik Union International, and nine tourism enterprises including Beijing Tourism Group, CYTS and Qunar. In addition, the agreements on the cooperation for the 2025 WTCF Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit and the 2025 WTCF Europe Regional Conference will also be signed. 

These three projects are of great importance for WTCF to compose a new chapter of cross-border tourism cooperation, cultural exchanges and innovation of cultural tourism, and contribute to China's culture and tourism businesses as well as inbound and outbound tourism sectors. 

Two Research Publications to Debut and Show New Paths of Development of Tourism Industry

During the Conference, A Green Paper by PATA and WTCF - Unlocking China's Inbound Tourism Competitiveness will be jointly released by WTCF and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). The publication proposes to fully utilize the comparative advantages of China's tourism resources, develop the cultural tourism 3.0, and create modern tourism destinations full of vigor, so as to tap the huge potential of China as a major tourism destination in the Asia Pacific region, and showcase the country's national image and cultural charm. 

The annual World Tourism Cities Development Report will be released at the Conference. As an important academic brand promoting cooperation and exchanges among the tourism cities around the world, the report will still focus on the 100 sample cities, analyze the facts of development status and challenges of the world's major tourism cities and their tourism industries, provide solutions and share valuable experience for all-round recovery of the tourism cities and enterprises worldwide, and contribute to the sustainable development of the tourism cities worldwide. 

Concentrating on New Trends of Cross-Border Tourism to Build New, Multi-level Bridges for Cooperation and Exchanges 

Centered around the theme of "Boosting Cross-border Tourism", this year's Conference will also encompass two sub-events, namely WTCF China Inbound Tourism Trade Fair and the Special Forum on China Inbound Tourism (in conjunction with PATA), as well as a special training course on the inbound tourism sector of China. Through this arrangement, WTCF aims to deeply explore the new vitality of global tourism development by establishing a multi-level framework system for tourism-relevant activities. 

WTCF China Inbound Tourism Trade Fair will be held on the morning of September 12 at Marco Polo Parkside Hotel in Beijing, where 25 top-tier overseas tourism enterprises will have face-to-face talks with 50 famous Chinese tourism firms, to exchange ideas on respective advantageous resources, and seek opportunities for in-depth cooperation. Driven by the general resurrection of the international situation and the favorable entry policies of various countries, the international inbound tourism market will maintain upward momentum, and this trade fair will create opportunities for tourism market players around the globe. 

The Special Forum on China Inbound Tourism will be co-hosted by WTCF and PATA on the afternoon of September 12. Spurred by the expanding opening-up and deepening international communication, China's inbound tourism market presents tremendous potential and vigor, and has become a pillar for the growth of the tourism sectors of the cities across China. This forum will be of great significance for the sustainable development of China's inbound tourism, the constant improvement of the level of opening-up, and the global popularity of Chinese culture. 

WTCF's first special training program on the inbound tourism sector of China to be held throughout September 14 will focus on the status quo of China's inbound tourism sector, as well as the trending topics like the interpretation of Beijing's inbound tourism policies, innovation and upgrading of tourism products, and new business form of "tourism +". Experts and scholars in the tourism sector and executives of tourism enterprises will serve as the lecturers. Through multidimensional and systematic explanations and training, the program aims to answer the questions of Chinese and non-Chinese tourism developers and practitioners, and contribute to the high-quality development of China's inbound tourism sector. 

In addition, WTCF will launch an exhibition themed "Tourism Boosts Civilization Mutual Learning Among Cities" at Shougang Park from September 12 to 16, to showcase its evolution, member cities and technology-based services for the tourism industry. As WTCF's inaugural themed exhibition during CIFTIS, it will generate a mutually complementary branding effect with the Conference, form the development pattern of "one body, two wings", and press ahead for greater success under the concept of "Better City Life Through Tourism". 

Founded in Beijing, WTCF is the first international tourism organization dedicated to cities. Since its inception, WTCF has diligently focused on building platforms and fostering cooperation. Beginning with 58 members, WTCF has grown to an organization with a total of 246 members from 86 countries and regions, including 164 city members and 82 institutional and associate members, along with 357 committee members across six committees. Over the years, WTCF's appeal, service capabilities, leadership, and influence within the global tourism industry have been growing. It is now reputed as the world's fastest-growing international tourism organization. As one of the most significant conferences of CIFTIS, the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development is now an integrated platform for the global tourism industry, providing opportunities for WTCF's member cities and institutions to deepen collaboration, share insights, build consensus, and collectively drive the growth of the global tourism industry.