The World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development 2025, convened by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), concluded successfully at the capital's iconic Shougang International Exhibition & Convention Center. The conference was a cornerstone event of the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services.
Publish Time：
2025-09-17 09:19:59
Source：
WTCF
The World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development 2025, convened by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), concluded successfully at the capital's iconic Shougang International Exhibition & Convention Center. The conference was a cornerstone event of the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services.
Under the theme “Smart Tourism for a Win-Win Future,” the conference assembled six hundred delegates from sixty-six nations to forge pathways for collaboration and innovation in the rapidly evolving digital tourism landscape. The conference attracted a distinguished gathering of international leaders. The audience included the Minister of Tourism and Crafts of Guinea-Bissau and the First Vice-Chairman of the Tourism Development Committee of Tajikistan. The event also welcomed mayoral delegations from ten countries, including Italy, Greece, and Malta, and the Ambassadors to China from seven nations, such as Latvia, Barbados, and Tanzania. The proceedings were honored by the presence of the leaders from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, the Beijing Municipal Government, and the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
The conference agenda featured dynamic segments such as the inspiring opening that addresses, a high-level mayors' dialogue, and powerful industry leadership insights. A major highlight was the release of two pivotal publications: the “World Tourism Cities Development Report (2024–2025)” and the “World Tourism Destination Competitive Potential Index Report (2025)”, offering valuable data-driven insights into the future of the world tourism.
Delegates immersed themselves by discussing the forces reshaping global tourism, from digital intelligence and AI-driven innovation to cross-border collaboration and next-generation cultural travel experiences. The event served as a powerful nexus for connection, providing a vibrant platform for the global tourism community to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and collectively shape a more resilient and prosperous future for the tourism industry.
The global tourism sector is amid a profound transformation. Artificial intelligence and big data are not just enhancing the industry — they are fundamentally restructuring its value chains and redefining its future trajectory. During the conference, many international delegates shared practical experiences and forward-looking strategies from their regions. They unanimously agreed on a tourism development path that emphasizes both digital smartness and sustainability.
During his speech Mr. Secuna Baldé, Minister of Tourism and Crafts of Guinea-Bissau, expressed a strong aspiration to join the World Tourism Cities Federation. The Minister emphasized that this collaboration would provide a vital platform to share expertise, attract international investment, and promote the nation’s distinctive tourism resources. A core commitment to sustainable and responsible development was underscored, with plans to strengthen global cooperation while protecting natural resources and cultural heritage. This approach aims to ensure inclusive growth and mutual benefit through deepened collaboration with cities and organizations worldwide.
Caption: Mr. Secuna Baldé, Minister of Tourism and Crafts of Guinea-Bissau.
Mr. Rustam Kholmatiyon, First Vice-Chairman of the Tourism Development Committee of Tajikistan, shared compelling digital transformation cases from the capital city, Dushanbe. He emphasized how the city is actively advancing nature conservation, community empowerment, and digital innovation. The key initiatives include the development of an online tourism platform, digital mapping systems, and cultural heritage revitalization projects. In his speech, Mr. Kholmatiyon expressed strong interest in deepening investment and cultural cooperation with member cities of the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), highlighting a shared vision for sustainable and tech-driven tourism development.
Caption: Mr. Rustam Kholmatiyon, First Vice-Chairman of the Tourism Development Committee of Tajikistan
Mr. Olaf McKay, the Mayor of Valletta, Malta, outlined the city's visionary response to the challenges of rapid tourism growth. He revealed that Valletta has placed digital transformation at the core of its sustainable tourism strategy. By leveraging smart technology solutions, the historic city is not only safeguarding its priceless cultural heritage but also enhancing the experience for both residents and visitors. This forward-thinking approach ensures that growth is inclusive, benefiting the entire community.
Caption: Mr. Olaf McKay, Mayor of Valletta, Malta
In her speech, Ms. Pansy Ho, Vice Chair and Secretary-General of the Global Tourism Economy Forum, highlighted digital innovation as the central force driving both the recovery and transformation of the tourism industry. She emphasized that technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G/6G networks, and immersive experiences are profoundly reshaping how tourists engage with destinations and how the sector operates. Ms. Ho also noted that the integration of culture and tourism, along with the development of smart cities, is not only generating significant economic value but also fostering cultural exchange and enhancing urban livability for residents and visitors alike.
Caption: Ms. Pansy Ho, Vice Chair & Secretary-General of GTEF
A highlight of the conference was the release of two landmark reports: the “World Tourism Cities Development Report (2024–2025)” and the “World Tourism Destination Competitive Potential Index Report (2025)”. These comprehensive publications provide a multidimensional evaluation of urban development metrics, offering data-driven insights and actionable intelligence to guide future tourism industry growth and policy-making worldwide.
Caption: Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Chairman, Mr. Peter Semone, unveils the highly anticipated “World Tourism Destination Competitive Potential Index Report (2025)”, offering data-driven insights into the future of global travel.
At the conference, Mr. Peter Semone, Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), unveiled another major highlight: the “World Tourism Destination Competitive Potential Index Report (2025)”. Co-published by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and PATA, this landmark report evaluates the tourism competitiveness of global cities across ten key criteria—including cultural appeal, infrastructure, and sustainability—and ranks the top twenty destinations worldwide, with Beijing securing the fifth position. The report identifies key trends such as the central idea that “a good place to live is a great place to visit,” advocating for a balanced approach that aligns tourism growth with enhancements to residents' quality of life. Offering a strategic framework for policymakers and investors, it aims to foster a mutually beneficial tourism ecosystem built on sustainability and shared value.
Caption: The “World Tourism Cities Development Report (2024-2025)” was released by Mr. István Ujhelyi, WTCF Expert, and Ambassador at UN Tourism
The "World Tourism Cities Development Report (2024–2025)" systematically presents the recovery trends and transformation directions of the global tourism industry. This report provides a comprehensive evaluation of one hundred major tourist cities worldwide across six key dimensions: popularity, industry prosperity, smart development, safety, economic contribution, and tourist satisfaction. It also announces the ranking of the top twenty cities.
According to the report, Beijing has risen to seventh place in the overall ranking (up one position from last year), establishing itself not only as a benchmark for global tourism cities but also providing a clear pathway for sustainable development in the tourism industry. Notably, among the top ten cities in terms of urban smart development ranking, five are from China: Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macao. These cities serve as exemplary models for the development of smart tourism initiatives worldwide.
This remarkable progress stems directly from the Chinese government’s strategic commitment to building smart cities and advancing digital infrastructure. Through visionary policy-making, sustained investment in technology and funding, and a vibrant culture of innovation, Chinese cities have dramatically elevated their digital service capabilities—creating more connected, efficient, and visitor-friendly urban environments. Globally, the digital transformation of tourism continues to gain momentum. The sector is shifting from fragmented tech applications to fully integrated, intelligent ecosystems. At the heart of this evolution lies AI—propelling the worldwide tourism market into a new era of rapid growth and intelligent experiences.
The wave of digital-intelligent transformation is profoundly reshaping global tourism, making "Smart-Digital Tourism" an inevitable trend in urban transformation and upgrading. During the "Mayors' Dialogue" session, six city leaders from diverse countries—including the Mayor of Asti, Italy; the Mayor of Garoua, Cameroon; the Vice Mayor of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan; the Vice Mayor of Athens, Greece; the Vice Mayor of Colombo, Sri Lanka; and the Vice Mayor of Fez, Morocco—exchanged insights and experiences on integrating digital-intelligent technologies with tourism to enhance urban tourism competitiveness.
Caption: Mayors' Dialogue Session
Mr. Maurizio Rasero, Governor of Asti Province and Mayor of Asti, Italy, highlighted that modern tourists are actively using technological tools to reshape their travel experiences, noting that digital sharing is transforming the tourism economy. He emphasized that Beijing’s innovations in smart-digital tourism offer a valuable reference for cities worldwide.
As well, Mr. Muhammedov Dovletnazar, Vice Mayor of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, shared how his city has integrated digital facilities to enhance the presentation of its unique architecture and cultural heritage, allowing these treasures to be displayed in more dynamic ways. He noted that this approach closely aligns with Beijing’s vision, particularly initiatives like the “Digital Central Axis” project.
The Vice Mayor of Athens, Greece, introduced the city’s use of smart systems to monitor energy consumption, visitor flows, and pollution in real time, supporting the transition of the ancient city toward sustainable tourism. By preserving the authenticity of its historic districts while using data to optimize carrying capacity, Athens has developed a model consistent with the World Tourism Cities Federation’s goal of promoting “sustainable smart tourism.”
Despite varying resources and developmental stages, all Mayors expressed a shared commitment to leveraging digital technology to enhance tourism management, revitalizing cultural resources, and improve service quality.
As smart management of tourist sites, digital preservation of cultural heritage, and intelligent tourism services continue to evolve, the role of digital-intelligent technologies in reshaping the cultural and tourism industries has become a key topic of interest. The "Voice from the Tourism Industry" session focused on the practical application and market implementation of smart digital solutions in cultural tourism. Eight panelists from Uruguay, Malaysia, Serbia, the Dominican Republic, as well as representatives from Chinese travel companies, airports, and digital platforms engaged in insightful discussions on two major themes: "Leveraging Digital Intelligence to Advance Cultural Tourism" and "New Trends in Inbound Tourism and Tourist Consumption."
Caption: Voice from Tourism Industry Session
Panelists emphasized that digital-intelligent technologies are reshaping cultural tourism services and enhancing experiences for global travelers. Industry representatives shared technology-driven innovation cases, including Punta del Este, Uruguay, which has gained international attention through digital platforms and immersive art exhibitions. Meanwhile, Beijing Capital Airport has strengthened its role as “China’s Premier Entry Point” by providing multi-language services, VR guidance, and optimized cross-border payments. Regarding current trends in inbound tourism, guests noted that international visitors now prefer in-depth experiences, small-group tours, and immersive travel. They show growing interest in integrated consumption models such as “culture-tourism + sports” and “culture-tourism + cuisine,” while placing greater value on emotional engagement and cultural identity.
In response, multiple speakers called for accelerated development of all-in-one experiential products, improved cross-border payment systems, and more authentic, feedback-driven content marketing. These steps aim to deliver more agile and precise services that align with evolving market demands.
As the world's first international tourism organization initiated by Beijing with a focus on cities, the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) has consistently dedicated itself to building platforms and fostering cooperation since its establishment in 2012. Its membership has grown rapidly from an initial fifty-eight to two hundred fifty-seven, now spanning eighty-seven countries and regions worldwide, earning it the reputation as "the fastest-growing international tourism organization."
The World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development 2025 continued this mission of "building platforms and promoting cooperation." Using digital intelligence as a new bond, it brought together global tourism stakeholders to jointly shape a future of mutual benefits and shared Win-Win future.
