WTCF Leaders Visit Lima for a New Development Opportunity for Peru Tourism Industry

(The Chinese press release was first published on issue 1326 Nuevo Mundo Daily supported by China Peruvian Friendship Foundation, and translated by WTCF.)

On the afternoon of June 13th, accompanied by Mr. Loo César, President of the China Peruvian Friendship Foundation; and Mr. Pan Chengzun, Director of the Chinese Restaurant Association in Peru (Asociación Restaurante Chino en el Perú); Mr. Li Baochun, Executive Deputy Secretary-General of the World Tourism City Federation (WTCF); and Mr. Chen Bo, Director-General of the Liaison Department of WTCF; met with Mrs. Carmen Patricia Juárez Gallengos, Deputy Mayor of the Lima Municipal Government; Mr. Guillermo Valdivieso Mendez, Chairman of the Tourism Commission of Lima Municipal Government; Mrs. Ada Constantino, Mayor's Office Advisor; and Mr. Renato Zapata, Councilor of Rimac District, Lima; at the Municipal Palace of Lima. During the meeting, the two sides communicated on topics including promoting the development of the tourism industry in Peru, strengthening cooperation between Lima Municipal Government and WTCF, and others.

After a short visit to the City Hall, Deputy Mayor Juárez welcomed the guests and briefly introduced history of Peru and the status of Lima to Executive Deputy Secretary-General Li Baochun and Director-General Chen Bo. Mr. Li Baochun expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Mayor and presented introduction materials of WTCF to Deputy Mayor Juárez. He also invited Lima City to join WTCF and handed the application form to Deputy Mayor Juárez personally.

Established on 15 September 2012 in Beijing, WTCF is an international tourism organization. Guided by the vision of “Better City Life through Tourism”, it is committed to facilitating exchanges and cooperation between members and promoting sustainable growth in the tourism sector. WTCF aims to increase the appeal of tourism cities as international destinations, enhance the quality and efficiency of their services, boost the brand images of tourism cities and promote balanced economic and social progress in tourism cities and regions.

Li Baochun introduced that WTCF now has 184 members, including 122 city members and 62 institutional members. The institutional members of WTCF consist of world-renowned travel agencies, media organizations, airports, airlines, hotel groups, financial firms and other tourism- related institutions. WTCF provides a service package covering the entire industrial chain for its members, organizes project cooperation in product development, tourism investment and marketing, and promotes cooperation among and between tourism cities and institutions. Having included all the leading Chinese tourism cities, travel agencies and airlines in its membership, WTCF provides an open avenue for cooperation for its international members.

According to the official news sources of Peru, the country received 150,000 Chinese visitors since it opened up its travel resources to the Chinese market. Li Baochun affirmed that the effort has been made by the Government of Peru to develop its tourism industry. He also mentioned the wise move in which the Government of Peru simplified visa procedures and granted visa-free entry for Chinese citizens holding valid visa for Europe or the United States. Vice Mayor Mrs. Juárez thought that the current count of 150,000 visitors from China is on the low end of the spectrum, given the large population of China. She hoped that with the visit of Executive Deputy Secretary-General Li Baochun and Director-General of the Liaison Department Chen Bo in addition to the promotional work of WTCF, more tourists from China and WTCF member cities will discover and visit Peru. Li Baochun agreed and said that he likes the cuisine, especially the seafood in Peru, and he believes that the Chinese people will have an unforgettable trip in Peru.

Since Mr. Li Baochun, Executive Deputy Secretary-General of WTCF, and Mr. Chen Bo, Director-General of the Liaison Department of WTCF, were planning to visit Cuzco, they had to hurry up to the airport. The Leaders of Lima Municipal Government felt sorry for their quick departure, for the experience Mr. Li Baochun spoke of and the blueprint he depicted were what Lima’s and even Peru’s tourism industries desperately demanded and hoped to learn. Deputy Mayor Juárez hoped that Mr. Li Baochun and his delegate could visit Peru frequently and share their experience. Representing WTCF, Mr. Li Baochun expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Mayor, and also invited Lima’s Mayor Mr. Luis Castañera to participate in the summit held by WTCF this September in the United States.

Words were short, but the friendship lasted long. Although Executive Deputy Secretary-General Li Baochun and Director-General of the Liaison Department Chen Bo only stayed in Lima for a short time, this short stay has lit up the passionate anticipation of Lima’s municipal leaders for future mutual cooperation and communication. The Deputy Mayor of Lima approved of the positive role overseas Chinese play in Peru, and also hoped more Chinese tourists could visit Peru and experience the country’s delicacies and beautiful scenery. The comfortable communication was the beginning of their friendship. It is believed that WTCF will surely work as an important booster to the development of Peru’s tourism industry in the near future. (Wu Qiu)