Four Thematic Forum Sessions Address Impact of Globalization on World Tourism Cities Development

On September 20, Los Angeles local time, the second day of the Summit proceeded to the four themed sessions, namely “Solutions to Challenges Faced by Tourism Cities, Competitive Strengths and Brand Building of Tourism Cities, Policy Environment Promotes Tourism Investment, and China’s Outbound Tourism: New Trend and Market Dynamics”. 400 representatives from tourism cities, tourism administration, and institutes of higher education attended the forums. The forum sessions culminated in the release of the WTCF research results.

Bai Changhong, Professor and PhD. Supervisor of College of Tourism and Service Management of Nankai University, delivered a keynote speech

The first session of the forums

Solutions to Challenges Faced by Tourism Cities

The first session carried the theme of “Solutions to Challenges Faced by Tourism Cities”, and took place in the morning. It was moderated by Prof. Karl Wöber, Director of WTCF Expert Committee. Dr. Chris Bottrill, Vice Chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA); Bai Changhong, Professor and PhD. Supervisor of College of Tourism and Service Management of Nankai University; and Mr. Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa, delivered keynote speeches.

In the following Panel Discussion, the dialog was centered on two topics: “Challenges Brought to Tourism Cities in the Digital World”, and “How the World Tourism Cities Deal with the Challenges Facing Tourism”. Mr. Joan Torrella, Tourism Director, Tourism Department Barcelona City Council; Dr. Theuns Vivian, Head of Destination Development at the City of Cape Town; Mr. Peter Rømer Hansen, Executive Advisor of Romer Agency, Denmark; Dr. Kurt-Walter, CEO of Chinese Friendly International; and Mr. Gonzalo Robredo, Director of Tourism, Buenos Aires, attended the Panel Discussion. Driven by globalization, tourism becomes the most dynamic source of the world economy, and tourism cities face a great many problems and challenges at the same time.

Cities are the main destinations and main tourist source areas of the world tourism industry, and serve as centers for tourists to gather. Addressing the many challenges and solutions facing tourism cities, the discussion conducted at this forum will provide references for the future globalization of tourism cities.

Luan Xin, Vice-Mayor of Qingdao, introduced the efforts Qingdao made to improve the brand image building

Alexandra Szalay, Vice-Mayor of Budapest, introduced Budapest’s distinct attractions that interests tourists

Michael Dominguez, Chief Sales Officer at MGM Resorts International, introduced the brand building of the hotels in Las Vegas

The second session of the forums

Competitive Strengths and Brand Building of Tourism Cities

The second session began at 10:45 am and carried the theme of “Competitive Strengths and Brand Building of Tourism Cities”. It was moderated by Ding Peiyi, WTCF Committee Member and Professor of Griffith University. The theme was in line with WTCF’s aspiration to forge a vision of “Globalized Tourism” and to serve as a platform of multilateral collaboration, brand promotion, and a win-win mechanism. “Competitive Strengths and Brand Building of Tourism Cities” is a topic that discussed constantly. Luan Xin, Vice-Mayor of Qingdao, introduced the efforts Qingdao made to improve the brand image building from four aspects: The Development of Tourism Attractions, Improvement of Urban Affinity, Improvement of City Comprehensive Services, and City Brand Building. Alexandra Szalay, Vice-Mayor of Budapest, also introduced Budapest’s unique attractions that interests tourists. Mr. Michael Dominguez, Chief Sales Officer at MGM Resorts International, introduced the brand building of the hotels in Las Vegas. The following Panel Discussion’s included the following participants: Mr. Law Heng Kiang, Director of Tourism Department of Penang; Mrs. Laura Aalto, CEO of Helsinki Marketing; Mrs. Raisa Banfiled, Vice-Mayor of Panama City; and Ms. Nato Chechelashvili, Councellor of Moscow City Council. They gave detailed introductions of the brand image and brand building of their cities.

The third session of the forums

Policy Environment Promotes Tourism Investment

The third forum session took place after the Buffet Lunch. Mrs. Meng Fang, Member of WTCF Expert Committee and Professor at University of South Carolina, moderated this session, during which Mr. Li Weiqun, Chairman of WTCF Investment Committee; Mr. Waseem Akhtar, Mayor of Karachi; and Ms. Theresa Belpulsi, Vice President of Tourism for Destination DC, delivered keynote speeches.

The following panel discussion included the following participants: Mr. Christian Darren Micallef, Vice-Mayor of Valletta; Mr. Zhang Hui, Chairman of Palm Investment; Mr. Stephen Cheung, President of World Trade Center Los Angeles; Mr. Rudy Salles, Vice Mayor of Nice; and Lucia De Siervo, Director of Business Tourism Department, Municipality of Florence.

Ms. Noel Irwin Hentschel, CEO of AmericanTours International, LLC, delivered a keynote speech

Forum staff threw a surprise party for Ms. Noel Irwin Hentschel, CEO of AmericanTours International, LLC

The fourth session of the forums

China’s Outbound Tourism: New Trend and Market Dynamics

With the quality of life constantly improving, the number of Chinese outbound tourists increases year by year, and amounted to over 120 million in 2016. The final forum session with the theme of “China’s Outbound Tourism: New Trend and Market Dynamics” can significantly help participants understand the trends of China’s outbound tourism market development and grasping opportunities. Roger Carter, Deputy Director of WTCF Expert Committee, moderated this forum session. President of Tuniu.com Mr. Ge Yujing, CEO of AmericanTours International, LLC, Ms. Noel Irwin Hentschel, and Deputy Director of WTCF Expert Committee Dr. Zou Tongqian delivered keynote speeches. The followed discussion section included the following participants: Mr. Shu Zhan, General Manager of Tencent Tourism; Mr. Zouitene Abderrafia, CEO Morocco National Tourism Office; Mr. Meng Zhijun, Executive President of China Comfort Travel Group Co., Ltd.; Mr. Sacco Alberto, Deputy Mayor for Tourism City of Torino; and Mr. Robin Worsnop, President of Edinburgh Tourism Action Group.

The four themed forum sessions witnessed a host of discussions contributed by both academia and industry professionals, and tackled the most pertinent issues affecting tourism development. The findings of the latest development research are based on data and facts, and in return, will call attention to the core values and visions shared by the tourism industry across the world, and pave a new path for sustainable development and efficiency transformation of tourism market.