WTCF delegation seeks cooperation at 2014 Invest Caribbean Now Summit

Government leaders from several countries and representatives from the tourism and investment sectors came together to discuss new investment and tourism possibilities for the Caribbean region at the 2014 Invest Caribbean Now Summit, which kicked off on June 4, Eastern Time. The 200 participants came from the tourism and investment sectors of the Beijing municipal government, the United Nations, governments in the Caribbean region, and American multinational companies.

The World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and Sino-American Friendship Association (SAFA), co-hosted the summit in New York, NY.

Ma Lin, deputy general secretary of Beijing municipal government, gave opening remarks at the summit. Ma said China and the Caribbean share a long history of friendly relations. He believed the Caribbean region, with abundant natural tourism resources and one of the most popular tourist places, will find better ways to expand its tourism market in China after the summit. The move would help develop the tourism industry in the Caribbean region, as well as in China, he said.

Claire Mcleveighn, deputy chief of the New York State Economic Development Council, welcomed guests from China and the Caribbean region who came to New York for the multi-lateral cooperation. She said she hopes New York can help facilitate more ties between China and the Caribbean region.

Ernie Anastos, an Emmy Award-winning Fox Broadcasting Company news anchor, presided over the summit.

Summit participants also included Cao Pengcheng, deputy chief of the Beijing Tourism Development Commission; Li Li, CEO of the Chinese American Business Development Center; and Li Ge, editor-in-chief of China Daily US Edition.

Government officials from the Caribbean region, including Trinidad and Tobago, the British Virgin Islands, Curacao Island, and St. Maarten, recognized the contribution WTCF has made in promoting worldwide tourism. These countries also applied to join the WTCF membership for further tourism cooperation with China.
 

The World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) is the first international tourism organization headquartered in Beijing. It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization voluntarily formed by tourism cities and tourism-related organizations from countries and regions around the world. Under the core idea of, “Better City Life Through Tourism”, WTCF aims to promote the development of the tourism industry throughout the world. A total of 84 world-renowned tourism cities and 45 organizations have joined the Federation.