【Record】Keynote Speeches

Publish Time:2020-10-19 11:12:02

【Introduction】:Time: 09:40-10:20, 5th, September; Moderator: Li Baochun, Executive Deputy Secretary-General of World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF).

Time: 09:40-10:20, 5th, September

Moderator: Li Baochun, Executive Deputy Secretary-General of World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF)

Li Baochun, Executive Deputy Secretary-General of World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), hosts the session of keynote speeches

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, this is the session of keynote speeches. As an important component of the modern service industry, tourism represents a major driving force behind the growth of the world economy. As Covid-19 still spreads continuously around the world, the question of how to restart and recover world tourism has drawn great attention from governments, tourism cities and companies. Next, let’s give the floor to Ms. Wang Hong, Executive Vice Chairman of the WTCF Council and Vice Mayor of Beijing, to deliver a keynote speech expounding on the WTCF propositions.

Wang Hong, Executive Vice Chairman of the WTCF Council and Vice Mayor of Beijing, delivers a keynote speech

Wang Hong:

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning! I am pleased to meet you at the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development. This is a great opportunity for us to analyze the enormous impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on world tourism, discuss major topics concerning the recovery and development of world tourism, and look into its future.

I'd like to share the following points from my personal working experience.

I. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought radical changes to global tourism.

The Covid-19 pandemic is a global public health emergency, which has severely hit world tourism.

1. Covid-19 has changed the development trend of world tourism.In the past decades from 2000 to 2020, especially since the financial crisis in 2008, world tourism has maintained rapid growth. Back then, even though the global economy was on the continued decline, tourism maintained a rapid growth of above 5%, becoming a driving force for the global economy. As the pandemic has changed the continuous development trend of world tourism, international tourists will decrease by about 80% and more than USD 1 trillion might be lost in 2020 according to relevant statistics.

2. Covid-19 has changed the traveling mode across the world. The pandemic has greatly changed people's lifestyles and travel patterns, exerting a profound impact on the world tourism which has kept booming in recent years. Tourism was a journey of spiritual freedom once. However, "no appointment, no travel" has become the norm, and decentralization, family-based tourism, and customization have become basic choices in the pandemic period. Border control suspended cross-border tourism. Even though some countries and regions are trying to ease border control and restart tourism activities to a limited extent in the second half of 2020, global tourism would recover to only about 30% YoY. Considering the impact of Covid-19, domestic outdoor tourism of low-density may recover more quickly than international long-distance group tourism whose full recovery takes a long time.

3. Covid-19 has changed the management mode of world tourism. This pandemic is still plaguing the world, resulting in high daily confirmed cases with no vaccines on the market or for mass inoculation. This battle between human and Covid-19 might be a long and tough one. To curb the spread of Covid-19, governments of all countries have closed borders, restricted travel, and reduced social interaction. Regional rescue mechanisms for public health emergency will be widely established, and the check of personal health information at border ports may continue into the future. International tourism has to adapt to the needs of pandemic prevention and control and accelerate the establishment of management mechanisms compatible with Covid-19 prevention and control. On the prerequisite of guaranteeing tourist safety and health, institutional support has to be provided to the resumption and prosperity of global tourism amid Covid-19.

II. Recovery and development of global tourism is of great significance.

World tourism is a major indicator and powerhouse for global economic recovery. A rapid rebound in the tourism industry is crucial to social stability because it could stimulate economic growth, enhance people-to-people exchanges and reduce poverty.

1. Tourism recovery is a major indicator of the resurrection of the world economy. In 2019, the total number of global tourist arrivals was over 12.3 billion, and the total global tourism revenue reached USD 5.8 trillion, equivalent to 6.6% of global GDP. An orderly recovery and development of global tourism is conducive to global consumption, driving economic growth and reducing pandemic-induced-losses suffered by the world economy.

2. Tourism recovery provides favorable support for social security and stability. Tourism industry is important to national economy and people’s livelihood because it offers 10% of global jobs. According to research and analysis of relevant institutions, more than 50% of tourism companies in the world are threatened by bankruptcy due to Covid-19, and 120 million employees related to tourism might lose their jobs. If the pandemic is still at large in the short term, the global tourism industry will suffer from irreparable and huge losses. An orderly restart and recovery of global tourism will increase residents’ income, reduce poverty and maintain social security and stability.

3. Tourism recovery is a key link to consolidate achievements of pandemic prevention and control. Based on main measures of pandemic prevention and control taken by various countries, the key to curbing Covid-19 spread is to cut off its transmission channels, and this is why a better control of tourist flow is crucial to containing Covid-19 spread. Tourism activities are a main form of international mobility. As long as Covid-19 is not effectively controlled, governments and tourism cities of all countries should balance two factors: one is the orderly resumption of tourism activities, and the other is the prevention of Covid-19 recurrence.

III. Promoting cooperation and innovation in tourism resumption and Covid-19 prevention for the recovery of global tourism

WHO claimed that Covid-19 would coexist with us for a prolonged time to come. To restart global tourism, we have to fully consider the long-term feature of this battle and pay attention to the driving force that tourism provides to economic growth. And thus we have to erect a more humane, healthier, and more orderly development concept, balancing pandemic prevention and control, and tourism resumption. A systematic tourism recovery plan has to be adopted as soon as possible and new tourism formats and management modes corresponding to requirements of Covid-19 prevention and control should be established at a faster pace based on ratings, regional conditions and time slots. In this way, green and sustainable development of the world tourism would be promoted in a comprehensive way.

1. We have to prioritize life and balance pandemic prevention and control, together with tourism resumption. In tourism activities, the first principle that should be followed is to ensure the safety and health of tourists. It is people who always come the first and people's health should be better managed. Countries where Covid-19 is basically under control could restart domestic tourism at first followed by international tourism, encouraging outdoor tourism formats of low-density, such as rural and automobile tourism. International tourism should prioritize the resumption of international transportation by adopting point-to-point personnel transportation and matching travailing routes. Air transportation between major tourism cities should return to normalcy in the first place so as to gradually drive the recovery of accommodation, catering, entertainment and other related industries in tourism cities. We have to actively promote appointment-based travel scheme, encourage the combination of online and offline factors,and develop decentralized, customized and family-based travel.

As for cruise traveling, it is necessary to further improve the internal function settings of cruise and other enclosed tourism spaces according to requirements of pandemic prevention and control. Cruises have to build up on capabilities against all sorts of risks.

2. We have to reinforce international cooperation and make joint efforts to rise up to the huge challenge delivered by Covid-19 to world tourism. WTCF calls on tourism cities and enterprises to actively engage in international cooperation and join hands against this common enemy of all humankind, the Covid-19. We advocate a mechanism of information sharing in global crisis, a global database of safety information and an international platform to cope with crises. Based on these platforms, we could timely share information on destination, public health, security management, tourism products and market promotion. This is to fully utilize various social media to disseminate official information on tourism in an efficient, fast, transparent and precise way.

3. We have to strengthen policy support to keep the system of world tourism service basically intact. Facing huge losses induced by Covid-19 to the tourism industry, WTCF calls on governments and tourism cities of all countries to actively introduce relief policies such as tax and fee reductions, subsidies and financial support to protect tourism industrial chain and fully mobilize the market to help tourism companies overcome difficulties. We have to actively establish and promote a non-discriminatory system to retrieve personal health information, keep data secured and well managed, and protect personal privacy. Clearer entry and exit management standards should be put into place, so is a border controlling mechanism that is dynamic, intelligent and convenient, satisfying requirements of Covid-19 prevention and control. We are calling on countries and tourism cities to actively sign up to pilot projects of mutually favorable policies and recognize each other's Covid-19 testing results. More visa management measures suitable for Covid-19 prevention and control should be introduced.

4. We have to pursue innovation-driven development and seize the opportunity of Covid-19 prevention to promote the iterative updating of world tourism. Covid-19 has exerted a profound impact on people's traditional lifestyles, communication modes and travel patterns. WTCF encourages tourism cities and companies to trace closely the latest trends in world tourism and make full use of the Internet, big data and intelligentization to actively explore new modes of tourism and travel, crisis response and tourism management, which should be compatible with requirements of pandemic prevention and control. These would help change the traditional development mode of mass tourism focusing too much on the number of tourist visits and group size.

We should advocate a decentralized, personalized, customized and appointment-based travel mode that is compatible with Covid-19 prevention and control, together with the shared economy, effectively improved tourism infrastructure, and further developed products of niche-market destinations and customized tourism.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, WTCF is the world's first international tourism organization focusing on cities. Under the core concept of Better City Life Through Tourism, it is committed to promoting cooperation for the world tourism. WTCF would like to work with other international tourism organizations to further analyze the huge losses caused by Covid-19 to global tourism, actively plan for the development and cooperation of world tourism, and play a more positive role in lifting global tourism out of the negative impact of Covid-19 as soon as possible. This is the end of my speech. Thank you!

Moderator: Thank you, Executive Vice Chairman Wang Hong.

Air transportation serves as the lifeline for the world tourism. Covid-19 has delivered a heavy blow to the international aviation industry. Restoring the normal operation of international aviation industry in an orderly manner is decisive to the recovery and development of world tourism. Next, let's watch a video message from Mr. Alexandre de Juniac, Director General & CEO of International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Mr. Alexandre de Juniac, Director General & CEO of International Air Transport Association (IATA), delivers a keynote speech

Mr. Alexandre de Juniac:

Good morning and greetings from Geneva. I am delighted to join you for this important meeting by video.

Before I begin, I would like to congratulate the host country of this meeting, the People's Republic of China, on the successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the people of China had suffered greatly during the early days of the crisis, it is now an example of what can be achieved when the virus is brought under control and life goes back to almost normal. We started 2020 with optimism, expecting to transport 4.7 billion passengers by air. Instead, we have seen passenger demand collapse. Partly because people are afraid to travel, and partly because borders are not open. And even when borders are open, governments are imposing quarantines.

The COVID-19 crisis has had a serious impact on the travel and tourism sector across the world. If we are to rebuild a prosperous tourism sector, we will all need to work together. I see three areas to focus.

The first is to ensure passengers can fly safely. IATA and many industry partners contributed to the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Take-off guidance to restart aviation, which will reduce the risk of transmission when traveling. The guidance was developed in record time.

The priority now is to implement the guidance. Because aviation is a network business, the implementation must be universal, while respecting local guidance. With many governments trying to re-start their economies they must act fast.

The second is to rebuild passenger confidence. It will be a big challenge. At the beginning of March, about 60% of travelers said they would return to travel within a few months of the pandemic coming under control. By early June that dropped to 45%. Communicating the measures that we have taken to keep travelers safe is key. We are doing that as IATA, and we are working across the industry to send an aligned message. And we need our tourism partners to be part of this effort. 

We need our tourism partners to be part of this effort. All efforts include addressing concerns about catching the virus on a flight. It's very important to know there're very few cases of onboard transportation. There're several reasons for that. Everyone is facing forward. The seat backs are barriers. People generally don't move around very much. Air circulates from top to bottom, not back to front. On top of that, the quality of air onboard is much better than most indoor environments. HEPA filters in modern aircraft ensure that recirculated air is similar to what you would find in a hospital operating theatre. And the air is exchanged for fresh air from outside 20-30 times an hour—about 10 times more frequently than most office buildings.

Add to that all the bio-safety measures from the Take-off guidance like mask wearing, and we have an impressive story to tell.

The third area is to address the issue of quarantine. When governments insist upon quarantine for arriving passengers, the impact is the same as closing the border. So, when governments decide that they want to re-start their economies we are proposing an alternative to quarantine.

It involves measures to keep infected people out of the travel system to reduce the risk of importing COVID-19 cases, such as health screening at the departure airport as well as testing prior to departure.

And this must be coupled with effective measures at the destination that reduce the risk of an infected traveler starting a new cluster, such as implementing ICAO's Take-off measures, contact tracing, and augmenting measures governments are taking with the specific WTTC Safe Travel Protocols across the various elements of the hospitality industry.

Together these measures are a credible alternative for governments that want to re-start their travel sector while reducing the risk of importing the virus.

As I conclude, let me share my optimism for the future. This crisis has demonstrated how much is lost when the world cannot travel. And I disagree with those who say that travel is forever changed or reduced.

For sure, business travelers will question their travel habits. And leisure travel will be impacted by economic uncertainty. As much as we are connecting through Zoom, Wechat or other technologies, it is not the same as being there in person.

Flying is freedom, and travel is freedom. That is not something people forget or lose their desire for. It will take time for the market to return. But I am convinced that our combined confidence-building efforts can make rebuild a prosperous travel and tourism sector. And I will closely follwing the development in China post COVID-19. How the travel and tourism sector recovery in China will provide insights for the recovery of world tourism. 

Moderator: Global Tourism Economy Forum serves as an international platform for deepening international exchanges and cooperation, promoting transformation of industrial chains, and supporting the sustainable development of the world tourism industry. Ms. Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) has specifically prepared a video message for this conference.

Ms. Pansy Ho, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF), delivers a keynote speech

Ms. Pansy Ho:

Ms. Wang Hong, Executive Vice Chairperson of the WTCF and the Vice Mayor of Beijing, Mr. Chen Dong, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Cities Federation, Mr. Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association.

It gives me great pleasure to be here at the very first World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development. I would like to congratulate the World Tourism Cities Federation for organizing this conference.

Around the world, we see green shoots of recovery with the easing of travel restrictions and an increase in domestic travel. This trend toward recovery, though gradual shows our enduring desire to travel. The desire to experience new cultures, connect with people, and see new places is what drove 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals in 2019, employing 1 in 10 people worldwide and accounting for over 10 percent of the global GDP. Only through solidarity and cooperation can the global tourism economy recover and harness its powerful multiplier effect.

When President Xi Jinping spoke at the Virtual Opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly, his vision for collaboration was profound stating that "Mankind is a community with a shared future, solidarity and cooperation is our most powerful weapon for defeating the virus." It is in this spirit of a shared future that the international community can find the inspiration to come together and make tourism central to the restart of the global economy, to promote prosperity, generate employment and foster new growth drivers.

COVID-19 has taken a substantial toll on lives and livelihoods and has impacted nearly every economic sector. It has had an especially negative impact on global travel and tourism. But there are opportunities in all crises and today is an opportunity to rethink the future of tourism and to reinvest in its potential.

How we use technology and innovation will be essential to our shared future, not only because they can help us overcome our current challenges, but because they accelerate the solutions for future challenges and break down barriers. Advances in technology have revolutionized travel and have proven to be critical in mitigating the impact of COVID-19. Tools such as facial recognition, digital wallets, biometric surveillance have made travel more of a seamless experience particularly in transportation and accommodation. At the same time, robotic technology has advanced touchless systems and led to improved hygiene ensuring safety and boosting traveler confidence. Technology has also helped art, culture and creativity to continue to thrive. Cultural sites and museums have opened their virtual doors connecting audiences via livestream to the Palace of Versailles in France, the Palace Museum in Beijing and the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang City, among many others. Virtual technology has allowed us to continue life's adventures from our homes as we look forward to traveling again.

We can often see the concepts of cooperation and innovation most clearly in cities which are the epicentres for new ideas. Cities were the first places affected by the crisis, but also the first to respond playing a central role as we adapted to the "new normal". Macao put in place immediate and exhaustive efforts to quell the spread of the virus.

In line with the Central Government's urging to "foster new opportunities amid challenges and make new advances amid changes", Macao has shown its resilience and put in place innovative solutions and cooperative efforts to revitalize travel and tourism. Several initiatives to support residents welcome back visitors and recreate prosperity stand out. First, with an overall unemployment rate of 2.5% during the 2nd quarter of 2020, the government incentivized job retention and offered occupational training to those unemployed. Additionally, a subsidy for employees designed to cover 25% of 2019 median monthly income has been put in place as well as grants for self-employed professionals. Secondly, to boost consumer confidence, the government issued shopping vouchers of 3,000 patacas to support the community's purchasing power. A daily limit of 300 patacas was set specifically designed to support small and medium sized enterprises.

Lastly, to further support SMEs, the government designed 'Macao Ready Go!', an e- platform to gather special offers on retail, leisure, and entertainment. Under the 'Macao Ready Go!' banner, local tours have been designed to support a wide range of tourism businesses and communities encouraging residents to see their city in a new light. As of August 9th, over 116,000 residents have registered to join these tours. Recognizing and making the most of this pivotal moment to revitalize and to re-engineer the future of tourism. Macao continues to merit its position as a World Centre for Tourism and Leisure and to play its part in the integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Through creative initiatives and partnerships such as the ones I have highlighted today, there are opportunities to devise new measures and approaches to reflect new standards in health and safety, leading to a more lasting and sound recovery.

In my role as the Executive Chairman of the China Chamber of Tourism and the Secretary General of the Global Tourism Economy Forum, I hope to harness the renowned platforms that we have put in place and to mobilize international networks with organizations including the UNWTO, WTTC, PATA, WTCF and the ETC to promote tourism. With that in mind, dear friends, please indulge me as I take a final moment to invite you to join us in December for the Global Tourism Economy Forum which will bring together thought leaders from around the world for a virtual conference on innovation and solidarity as the path toward, a more sustainable and resilient global tourism economy. I hope to see you all there!

I'd like to express my gratitude to the World Tourism Cities Federation and wish all of you a most successful conference.

Thank you.

Strategic Partner

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