The Beijing Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit of World Tourism Cities 2013 and Second Meeting of the World Tourism Cities Federation Council grandly opened in Beijing on September 12. Mr. Wang Yang, vice premier of the State Council, appeared at the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

The World Tourism Cities Federation (hereinafter referred to as the WTCF), first advocated by Beijing and launched together with many international tourism cities, is a non-profit and non-governmental international organization, which was voluntarily combined by the tourism cities of the countries and regions of the world and the institutions related to tourism. The organization was founded on September 15, 2012, and is the first international tourism organization based on cities.

The WTCF Statute and other documents, along with its emblem, flag and marker, where deliberated and approved at the summit. The representatives at the summit jointly signed the Beijing Declaration and reached a consensus about the development of the world tourism industry in the new historical environment: together pay attention to the development of the world tourism industry, together create new cooperation mechanisms, enrich cooperation content, enhance cooperation standards, and forge international tourism organizations which have sustainable development ability, to promote human civilization’s co-holding, sharing, co-creation and win-win situation and to contribute to the boost of world peace and its development. “Better City Life through Tourism” has become a common aspiration for all WTCF members.

On May 8, 2013, Mr. Wang Anshun, chairman of the WTCF Council, visited the United Nations headquarters with a delegation and met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his strong support of the WTCF and highly approved of the international position, development purposes, and core concepts of the WTCF.

The WTCF, the Chinese Mission to the UN, and the International Health and Environment Organization together hosted the “Sustainable Urban Development and Tourism” roundtable of the UN that same day. The WTCF and the International Health and Environment Organization signed the cooperation memorandum and confirmed a strategic partnership.

The WTCF also signed cooperation memorandums with Moscow, Russia; Busan, Korea; and Riga, Latvia to further strengthen cooperation and expand influence. During this year’s summit, the WTCF will also sign agreements with Athens, Greece and Valletta, Malta.

The WTCF has incorporated 58 members including 47 cities and 11 agencies since it was established in 2012. Throughout the past year the WTCF greatly publicized its role in the tourism industry, which has resulted in many more tourism cities and travel agencies applying for admission to the organization. The number of full members has totaled 107, including 68 member cities and 39 member agencies. One hundred and two members attended today’s meeting.

At the opening, the WTCF launched a celebration ceremony to welcome new members who have brought new vitality to the federation.

The WTCF also held a ceremony for the establishment of several committees including the Civil Aviation Operators, Tourism-Related Businesses and Media Organizations committees. Mr. Wang Anshun, chairman of the WTCF Council, presented flags and plates to those branches. Branch representatives introduced their conditions.

The WTCF also issued the “Beijing Consensus” signed by all members. The “Beijing Consensus” lays down a solid foundation for the members to standardize tourism facilities and services.

President of the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly and President of the International Health and Environment Organization Mr. Vuk Jeremic, assigned Vice President and UN Messenger of Peace Mr. Wang Linxu, to read off the congratulatory letter from the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the summit. Leaders who addressed summit attendees included: Mr. Shao Qiwei, China National Tourism Administration chairman; Mr. Wang Anshun, WTCF Council chairman and Beijing mayor; and Mr. Eng João Manuel Costa Antunes, PATA committee president.

Letters of congratulation from Secretary-General of the UN World Trade Organization Taleb Rifai, President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council David Scowsill, and some member cities, such as Brussels, were also sent to the summit.