WTCF Hosts Sub-Forum at Global Tourism Economy Forum-Transformation of City Tourism Consumption

Global Tourism Economy Forum Macao 2016 (5th) was held in Macao on October 15th-16th, 2016. This forum’s theme was “The Growing Consumer Class - Rethinking and Reshaping the Future Tourism Landscape.” WTCF hosted the sub-forum: Transformation of City Tourism Consumption.

(Global Tourism Economy Forum Macao 2016 (5th)held in Macao on October 15th-16th)

The development of tourism economy and the development of city economy fuse day by day. On the one hand, tourism markets continues to boom. Tourism industry plays an important part in improving economy development and elevating employment of the city. On the other hand, the city is the major carrier of tourism development. Facility and service improvement on transportation, communication, networks, and finance supports the boom of tourism. Thirdly, city residents and tourists fuse more and more. Tourists are an important group in daily life of the city. Development of shared economy makes tourism a part of the life of local residents.

(Guests discussing and speaking actively at the sub-forum of WTCF)

WTCF hosting the sub-forum of Transformation of City Tourism Consumption is based on the context that city tourism has become an important part in tourism consumption in this era of tourism globalization. Development of the Internet gives birth to cross-border integration of city tourism and profound transformation of tourist behavior. Analysis on tourist consumption in the city will help tourism participants grasp the pulse of tourism development.

(Roger Carter, member of WTCF Expert Committee and the Managing Director of TEAM Tourism Consulting)

(Fang Meng, member of WTCF Expert Committee and Assistant Professor at the School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management)

This sub-forum was chaired by Fang Meng, member of WTCF Expert Committee and Assistant Professor at the School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management, University of South Carolina. The guests included Roger Carter, member of WTCF Expert Committee and the Managing Director of TEAM Tourism Consulting; Helena Egan, Global Director of Industry Relations, TripAdvisor; Hu Zhimin, Vice CEO of CITS; Luo Xingqiang, Chairman of Tourism Development Committee and Penang Tourism Administration; Rudy Salles, Vice Mayor of Nice; and Jos van der Sterrn, Director of Academy for Tourism, NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences. The guests shared opinions on “What New Consumption Changes Have Occurred in City Tourism, What Impact the Changes Will Bring on City Tourism, How Cities Should Cope with the Changes, and so on.”

(Secretary-General Pansy Ho of World Tourism Economy Forum and guests of the sub-forum)

Helena Egan believed analysis of data of tourists is very important for tourism participants to master change of tourists and took TripAdvisor as an example. TripAdvisor analyzed data of 400,000 tourists from 70 markets of the world and concluded that 74% tourists did not know where to go at all before they set out, and some seemingly unremarkable things affect the travel choices of tourists, like Wi-Fi, the air conditioner, and the movie.

Hu Zhiman believed extending and liberalization of consumption and more convenient consumption patterns are the two major reasons why city tourism appeared. The guests mentioned together that development of new technologies is the main reason why obvious and profound changes have happened in tourism industry. Rapid development of shared economy helps tourists blend into local life and creates demand for deep experiences in tourism increases greatly.

Tourism administrations and industries should attach importance to new models and new business forms of tourism influence by new technologies.

Mr. Luo Xingqiang from Penang took Penang as an example and explained how shared economy like Airbnb and Uber benefited tourism of the city. Mr. Hu Zhimin said as the overall situation changes, the whole city would be a big tourism product. Therefore, as the cities develop and maintain traditional scenic spots and tourism projects, they should also explore and meet emerging tourist’s demands on city travel.

Rudy Salles, Vice Mayor of Nice, emphasized that as we value new technologies, we should not ignore high-standard service and hospitality of local residents, which is a reason why tourists would want to visit the city again. He took Macao as an example, and praised that Macao Government Tourism Office had brought great convenience for tourists on downloading tourism APPs from the Internet and so on, which created good tourism experiences for tourists.

Jos van der Sterrn reminded that as more tourists flood into the city and participate in local life, the government should take measures to avoid a situation where tourists might be rejected by local residents, and let tourists live in harmony with the residents.

(Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of The National Committee of CPPCC and Vice Chairperson of Global Tourism Economy Forum)

The guests of the sub-forum included scholars, executives of tourism enterprises, and officials of tourism cities. They explained and explored new phenomena and trends of city tourism consumption. They provided examples with references and advice with guidance for the topic of City Tourism Consumption. It is a novel deconstruction and powerful support for the forum theme of “The Growing Consumer Class - Rethinking and Reshaping the Future Tourism Landscape.”

WTCF hosting the sub-forum at the “Global Tourism Economy Forum” is creating further cooperation ventures on the base of comprehensive strategic partnership. Since the signing of the cooperation agreement in 2015, the two organizations have established good partnership on academic research and business exchange to support each other. This promotes the development of the two organizations as well as world tourism industry.