WTCF Secretariat Attends WTM 2016 to Serve Members with Every Effort through Reports Releasing, Joint Exhibiting and Arranging Meetings

(Delegates of WTCF European Brunch)

On Nov. 7th-9th, the World Travel Market (WTM 2016) was held at ExCeL London. World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) organized many city members to attend this exhibition, including Riga, Saint Petersburg, Beijing, Tanjung Pandan, and Plovdiv. During the exhibition, WTCF hosted the Chinese Tourism Market Development Forum and WTCF Members Europe Meeting. 19 WTCF member representatives attended the forum and the meeting, including London, Milan, Belfast, and Innova TaxFree. Other attendees include delegates from British tourist businesses and news media such as BBC, CCTV and Nouvelles d’Europe.

During the forum, Yan Han, Deputy Secretary-General of WTCF, announced results of the Market Research Report on Chinese Outbound Tourist (City) Consumption (2015-2016). He analyzed Chinese outbound tourist market’s features, current situation, demands, and developmental trend to attendees. He also proposed constructive and practical advice to city members on how to attract and serve Chinese outbound tourists. Doctor Jiang Yiyi, Director of Institute of International Tourism Development of China Tourism Academy, announced results of the Annual Report on Development of World Tourist Cities (2016). It is the the third year WTCF released the annual report to the world and provides theoretical reference for the development of world tourism cities. As a member representative, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at London & Partners, Chris Gottlieb, introduced London’s practice on how to receive Chinese tourists and Chinese tourist market developmental demands.

 (Visitors at WTCF’s booth)

At the WTCF Regional Meeting for Europe, WTCF Secretariat introduced preparations for the 2017 World Tourism Cities Federation Los Angeles Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit, and sought attendee’s advice on summit arrangement, topics and others. Most of the members said they would be delighted to attend the 2017 Summit and related activities, and submitted their suggestions for the summit to the Secretariat via email. During the meeting, WTCF Secretariat also sought advice on the Urban Tourism City Performance Research Project, a joint research project initiated by WTCF and UNWTO, as well as setting up membership dues. One of the representatives said that setting up membership dues is an international practice and would help WTCF improve its organization development to provide better services to members. It will also promote a more active involvement for city and institutional members to the development of WTCF. On the other side, membership dues should be listed in an annual city financial plan.

After the meeting, Deputy Secretary-General, Yan Han, met with Chiara Appendino, newly elected Mayor of Turin. They exchange opinions on WTCF development and WTCF providing services to members. At last, Mr. Yan invited Appendino to attend the 2017 World Tourism Cities Federation Los Angeles Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit.

During WTM 2016, Deputy Secretary-General, Yan Han, said during an interview with the Chinese Department of BBC, “City is the final destination for tourists. They usually fly from one city to another. A city bears the whole tourist industry chains including aviation, car-renting, hotel, restaurant, scenic spot, shopping, entertainment and so on. As a public resource platform for city and institutional members, WTCF provides all-around multimedia promotion services for members via its official website, Weibo, WeChat, App, training, seminars, exhibition, promotion conferences, trade fairs and so on. ”

(CCTV interviews Yan Han, Deputy Secretary-General of WTCF)

Deputy Secretary-General, Yan Han, introduced WTCF’s advantages on organizing global top-class tourism enterprises to promote city member’s tourism development to the CCTV reporter in London. He said cooperation on a city-base is more flexible and direct. Decision-making and implementation will also be more efficient. WTCF provides an integrated communication platform for cities and institutions.

During the three-day exhibition, the booth of WTCF and members received hundreds of tourist related visitors and provided highly efficient brand and tourism resource promotion for city members.