World Tourism Cities Federation Participates CITM 2020

From November 16th to 18th, the China International Travel Mart 2020 (CITM 2020) was held in Shanghai, China by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. With its focus on the numerous achievements brought by the integration of culture and tourism, the event aimed at providing impetus to the resumption of production, the stimulation of prospective consumption regarding culture and tourism industries, thus enabling domestic and overseas professionals from relative industries to realize the recovery of China’s economy and confidence in face of the pandemic.

The World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) has set up a stand at the CITM 2020, and distributed promotional materials including its magazine, World Tourism Cities, and promotional brochures containing details of the WTCF, drawing attention from numerous participants of the event. The stand was visited on November 16th by Wizani Rosmin, Consul of the Tourism Section of the Consulate General of Malaysia in Shanghai, and Agnese Sturmane, Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in China. On November 17th, the stand also welcomed Vincent Zheng, Tourism Fiji’s Regional Manager of Greater China, Tiago Brito, Tourism Director of the Turismo de Portugal, and Fan Deyu, Project Manager of Hamburg Liaison Office China. During their visits, five renowned visitors shared their views regarding the development of tourism, and the promotion of travel destinations through a number of interviews.

The stand of WTCF Source: WTCF

Wizani elaborated on measures taken by the Malaysian government to stimulate domestic tourism and consumption as well as alleviate the financial burden of players in the industry, including the conditional exemption of income tax, providing coupons for tourists and financial aids for taxi drivers and tour guides. Wizani hoped that the WTCF will continue to act as a bridge. He said: "We want to develop the tourists' confidence in travelling again when the borders open."

Wizani Rosmin, Consul of the Tourism Section of the Consulate General of Malaysia in Shanghai Source: WTCF

During the interview, Sturname introduced the assortment of architectures in Riga and shared with the staff the policies adopted in the pandemic. She stated that COVID-19 has not only imposed grave pressure on companies but has also provided them with opportunities. For example, the pandemic has accelerated the digitalization of destination marketing initiated by companies within that relative market. Sturname finished the interview by stressing the importance of “sharing knowledge and experience” within the tourism industry in the current situation.

Agnese Sturmane, Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in China Source: WTCF

Tourism is the key industry of Fiji, constituting one third of the GDP. Tourism in Fiji has been severely affected since the beginning of the pandemic, with relevant players and employees being influenced gravely. Zheng, while being asked about the measures taken by the Fijian government and Tourism Fiji, replied that the two entities are collaborating efforts through maximizing the usage of Internet and promoting tourism resources online. He said that Tourism Fiji is dedicated to making the country "a destination of relaxation, safety and reassurance". Zheng also expressed his hope that the WTCF will contribute to the recovery of tourism by providing applicable information for Fiji.

Vincent Zheng, Tourism Fiji’s Regional Manager of Greater China Source: WTCF

Portugal has taken a number of fruitful measures in the context of the pandemic. According to Brito, learning from China's experience, Portugal has asked passengers visiting Portugal to fill out the "Passenger Locator Card" to make sure that the health authority can trace the information of tourists if needed. Turismo de Portugal has created the "Clean and Safe" seal to mark those enterprises complying with health protocols. The creation of this seal has made trips reassuring and encouraged vulnerable companies to adopt hygienic policies. The local authority of Lisbon has also established the hotline for tourists, enabling them to get updates seamlessly. In his appraisal of the WTCF, Brito stated that the information and advice provided by the WTCF is of vital importance for current tourism.

 Tiago Brito, Tourism Director of the Turismo de Portuga Source: WTCF

Fan introduced the actions taken by Tourism Hamburg in the face of the pandemic. Before the lockdown this November, the organization had shifted the focus to domestic tourists in terms of destination marketing. With the coming of Christmas, Tourism Hamburg has also encouraged the citizens of Hamburg and neighboring cities to choose Hamburg as their destination to visit local attractions. Tourists can check the events, including the simple yet traditional ones, held this December in Hamburg via the calendar on the official website of Tourism Hamburg. Fan also expects the WTCF to provide more insightful information regarding trends of tourism in the future.

Fan Deyu, Project Manager of Hamburg Liaison Office China Source: WTCF

The CITM is currently the largest professional travel mart in Asia. More than 1500 exhibitors around the world participated in the event this year, with about 50 overseas countries and regions as well as 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of China partaking in it. The size of the area allocated to this event is 45,000 square meters, with 4 halls used for showcasing.

Established in 2012 under the initiative of Beijing, WTCF is the world's first international tourism organization focusing on cities. Guided by the core vision of Better City Life through Tourism, it constructs a platform for its members to exchange experience, reinforce cooperation and build consensus. After years of development and its growing ability of appeal, service, guidance and influence in the tourism industry, WTCF is credited as the fastest-growing international tourism organization in the world.