WTCF Secretary-General Song Yu Led a Delegation to Visit Brazil and Uruguay

On February 21 to 29, Song Yu, Secretary-General of World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) led a delegation to visit Salvador and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Montevideo and Punta Del Este in Uruguay, in order to make connections with these destinations to promote exchange and membership.

On February 22, the WTCF Secretariat visited Bahia State Tourism Bureau in Brazil. Nelson Pellegrino, Director of Bahia State Tourism Bureau, Fernando Ferrero, Chief Inspector of Bahia State Tourism Bureau and Cristiane Gouveia, International Commissioner of the state's Foreign Affairs Office attended the meeting. During the visit, WTCF Secretary-General Song Yu and Deputy Secretary-General Yan Han introduced the federation’s development, services, and current projects. They discussed matters concerning tourism cooperation with Bahia State Tourism Bureau and formally invited the State of Bahia and Salvador to join the WTCF. Bahia State Tourism Bureau invited representatives from the local tourism association, restaurant association, travel agency associations, bus association, taxi association and local well-known tourism enterprises to participate in the meeting. Luiz Augusto Leão Costa, President of Bahia State Tourism Association expressed the importance and positive role the WTCF plays in further developing the tourism industry. He looked forward to cooperation with WTCF as soon as possible and will actively promote the state of Bahia to join WTCF. The Bahia State Tourism Association also expressed their willingness to join the Federation. Through the exchange, the WTCF Delegation acquired a more detailed understanding about the local tourism markets development and the country’s source of tourist traffic (especially tourists from China). The two sides also discussed how to promote cooperation between local tourism businesses and institutional members of the WTCF.

(WTCF in Salvador)

(WTCF Secretary-General Song Yu and Nelson Pellegrino, director of Bahia State Tourism Bureau)

In order to further enhance the federation’s publicity, on February 24, WTCF’s Secretariat of the delegation carried out a featured promotion in Rio de Janeiro. Secretary-General Song Yu introduced the overall development of the federation. Yan Han, Deputy Secretary-General introduced to the guests the federation’s members, research results and achievements, member service projects and preparation work for the 2016 Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit. More than 100 representatives from a number of well-known local tourism enterprises, institutions and media attended in order to better understand the development of the WTCF, at the same time, showed strong interests in the establishment, development and future prospects of the federation.

(Secretary-General Song Yu introduces the overall development of the Federation)

(Yan Han, WTCF Deputy Secretary-General introduces to the guests the relevant situation of the Federation and the 2016 Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit)

On February 25, the WTCF met with Elizabeth Villalba, Director of Montevideo Tourism Bureau of Uruguay to discuss the city's tourism development, tourist sources and future development planning. WTCF introduced to the Montevideo Tourism Bureau the federations basic information, work and service projects. The federation discussed matters concerning tourism cooperation with Montevideo Tourism Bureau and formally invited Montevideo to join WTCF, wherein Montevideo formally signed an application to apply for membership to join the WTCF.

(The Federation delegation and the representatives of Montevideo Tourism Bureau)

On February 26, the WTCF Secretariat met with Luis Borsari, Director of Maldonado Provincial Tourism Bureau of Uruguay (Punta del Este city is located in Maldonado Province) and Andrew E.Beare, President of Punta del Este City Tourism Association, in which WTCF introduced the orientation of functions, activities and development goals of the federation. Immediately following the discussion, the Director of Maldonado Provincial Tourism Bureau invited the federation delegation to meet the Mayor of Punta del Este.

(Yan Han, WTCF Deputy Secretary-General and Andrew E.Beare, President of Punta del Este City Tourism Association in a talk)

(Yan Han, WTCF Deputy Secretary-General talks with Luis Borsari, Director of Maldonado Provincial Tourism Bureau)

Mr. Andres Jafif, Mayor of Punta del Este, after getting to know WTCF, expressed his willingness to cooperate with the Federation and attend the WTCF 2016 Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit. On behalf of Punta Del Este, Mr. Andres Jafif signed a membership application form and officially joined the WTCF.

(Mr. Andres Jafif, Mayor of Punta del Este signing a membership application form)

(Yan Han, WTCF Deputy Secretary-General bestows a souvenir badge to Mr. Andres Jafif, Mayor of Punta del Este)