【Record】Opening Ceremony

Time: 09:00-09:40, 5th, September  

Moderator：Mr. Chen Dong, Secretary-General of World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and Director-General of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism

Mr. Chen Dong, Secretary-General of World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and Director-General of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, hosts the opening ceremony

Honorable Minister Hu Heping, Mayor Chen Jining, SCO Deputy Secretary-General Jonon Sherali, Vice Mayor Wang Hong,

Dear member representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Good morning!

This is the opening of the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development, organized by World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) in collaboration with World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and together with Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA), Global Tourism Economy Forum, World Leisure Organization, World Tourism Alliance (WTA), International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA), ITB Berlin, WTM and other well-known international organizations and top-tier tourism exhibitions.

First of all, please allow me to introduce important guests present at the opening ceremony:

Mr. Hu Heping, Minister of Culture and Tourism of China,

Mr. Chen Jining, Chairman of the WTCF Council and Mayor of Beijing,

Mr. Jonon Sherali, Deputy Secretary-General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

Ms. Wang Hong, Executive Vice Chairman of the WTCF Council and Vice Mayor of Beijing,

Mr. Chen Honghui, WTCF Member City Representative and Vice Mayor of Wuhan

We have here with us ambassadors of Algeria, Fiji, Colombia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malta, Turkmenistan and Jordan to China, the acting ambassadors of Comoros and Tajikistan to China, and the Chiefs of Mission at the embassies of Mauritius and Tunisia in China.

Also present here are heads and representatives of international organizations in China, representatives of the central ministries and relevant departments of Beijing, representatives of WTCF members and heads of well-known tourism companies and investment institutions.

Now, on behalf of the organizing committee, I’d like to extend my warmest welcome and sincerest respect to all representatives and guests participating in the conference offline and online!

COVID-19 which has delivered a heavy blow to the world tourism development has not been fully contained across the world. The World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development is held during the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in 2020 as an opportune occasion to discuss countermeasures and solutions as well as seek common development into the future.

On the theme of “Rebuilding World Tourism for Prosperity”, this conference is composed of opening ceremony, keynote speeches, release of research results, forums and tourism investment and financing sessions. It analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on global tourism and shares experience of global tourism recovery, cheering for and fueling the re-boost of global tourism.

The conference is held both offline and online, broadcast live across the world in five languages: Chinese, English, Spanish, French and Russian. 223 WTCF members in their respective countries, regions and cities could simultaneously access and watch the event. Now, let’s give the floor to Mr. Chen Jining, Chairman of the WTCF Council and Mayor of Beijing. Welcome.

Mr. Chen Jining, Chairman of the WTCF Council and Mayor of Beijing, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony

Mr. Chen Jining:

Honorable Minister Hu Heping, Honorable Deputy Secretary-General Jonon Sherali, distinguished envoys, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

The World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development on the theme of Rebuilding World Tourism for Prosperity is held today to discuss cooperation and development of global tourism in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. First of all, on behalf of WTCF and the Beijing Municipal People's Government, I’d like to extend my warmest welcome to the guests and friends from the press who are offline or online from all over the world. I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation to international organizations, envoys and relevant institutions that have strongly supported the preparation for this conference!

COVID-19 has been ravaging across the world since the beginning of 2020, wreaking havoc on the global economy in which tourism is one of the most severely impacted industries. According to UNWTO, global tourists would be reduced by about 80% in 2020 compared to 2019, and the loss of tourism revenue will exceed USD 1 trillion.

More difficulties should be met with stronger determination, confidence, unity and cooperation. President Xi Jinping addressed the Global Trade in Services Summit of the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services by remarking that the sudden attack of COVID-19 may have prevented us from meeting face to face, but it cannot block the growth of trade in services; nor will it affect our confidence and action as we pursue shared progress and mutually beneficial cooperation.

In review of the development history of human society, every time of suffering and hardship is often followed by progress. Tourism is an integrated industry full of resilience in which profound changes in tourism consumption and service are often triggered by epidemics. Since the 1970s and 1980s, legionella repeatedly caused community-acquired epidemics of pneumonia, deepening people’s understanding of propagation and transmission of this ancient pathogen, and thus helped form a new paradigm for public health. Monitoring and disinfecting public water system in hotels and other public buildings has so far become the standard of tourism industry.

Drawing from historical experience strengthens our confidence in dealing with challenges we are facing today, and helps us seize opportunities out of this pandemic. COVID-19 has not changed people's passion for tourism; on the contrary, it has given birth to a new model of tourism that is decentralized, personalized, customized and appointment-based, opening up new opportunities for a tourism restart and economic recovery. Tourism practitioners in all countries should take active actions and promote innovation, jointly creating favorable conditions for the recovery of tourism industry.

On behalf of WTCF, I’d like to make three proposals for tourism cities and tourism practitioners around the world:

Firstly, we have to effectively strengthen international cooperation in pandemic prevention and control. As an important hub for tourists and other people, tourism cities play an important role in global pandemic prevention and control. They should actively establish a mechanism to rapidly collect information and share feedback concerning pandemic prevention and control, in response to potential long-term risks of COVID-19. Tourism cities are expected to introduce strict screening and control measures, promote a convenient and efficient system to share information of personal health and safety, and promulgate safer and more convenient border inspection measures to build up the control of risk points. Tourism cities in particular should enhance cooperation, by jointly formulating risk evaluation standards that are mutually recognized, conducting objective and fair evaluation of tourism risk levels and establishing bilateral or multilateral information exchange and collaboration mechanisms to share data and experience in a timely manner.

Secondly, we have to advocate green and healthy tourism. COVID-19 has made people value health more. All tourism cities should follow this trend, formulating tourism codes of conduct in line with requirements of pandemic prevention and control and guiding tourists to protect the environment and recycle resources, focus more on their own health and public safety, and pursue greener and healthier tourism consumption. Tourism companies should make full use of modern technologies to actively promote innovation in tourism products, with a focus on the development of new formats including cultural and experiencing tourism, health and sports tourism, and digital and virtual tourism. The development of smart tourism and smart cities should also be encouraged. Meanwhile, we have to strengthen industrial standards in terms of market competition and food safety, and jointly create a tourist ecosystem of harmony covering all regions even the whole world, so as to comprehensively promote green, healthy and sustainable development of the global tourism industry.

Thirdly, we have to actively help tourism enterprises and practitioners. Restarting tourism industry is not simply a do-over, but transformation and upgrading that constitute a general trend. We encourage governments of all countries to take active measures to facilitate the transformation and development of tourism enterprises, support the application of new technologies and methods, improve operational efficiency, pay more attention to personnel training, and provide tourism practitioners with strong assistance so as to adapt to requirements of new formats as soon as possible.

Beijing, where the headquarters of WTCF is located, is a famous historical and cultural city with remarkable heritage. It is also a modern international metropolis that is full of vigor and vitality. When struck by COVID-19, the local authorities of Beijing resolutely implemented all requirements of the Central Government on pandemic prevention and control, advanced all sorts of prevention and control efforts in a science-based, strong and orderly way with precision. As a result, Beijing quickly put the pandemic under control, creating favorable conditions for tourism restart and economy recovery.

Personal experience of coordinating pandemic prevention and control, and promoting economic and social development has strengthened our belief that unity and wisdom of mankind will eventually overcome difficulties and challenges. As long as tourism cities and the vast number of practitioners actively take joint actions, the global tourism and economy will definitely usher in a more promising tomorrow!

Finally, I wish the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development a complete success, and guests and friends from all countries great health! Have a good day!

Thank you very much!

Moderator: Thank you Chairman Chen Jining for your speech. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is an important partner of WTCF. Next, let’s give the floor to Mr. Jonon Sherali, SCO Deputy Secretary-General. Welcome.

Mr. Jonon Sherali, SCO Deputy Secretary-General, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony

Mr. Jonon Sherali:

Dear Mr. Hu Heping Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China,

Dear Chairman of the World Tourism Cities Federation Council and Mayor of Beijing Mr. Chen Jining,

Dear Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili,

Dear participants of the Conference,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I cordially welcome participants of the Conference and express my gratitude to our partner – World Tourism Cities Federation for organizing this important international event, which, I am sure, will be held at the highest level.

We are pleased to note excellent cooperation between SCO Secretariat and WTCF based on the MoU and we believe that the brighter days of our fruitful joint work on facilitating cultural contacts and tourism are ahead.

Unfortunately, the modern world from the very beginning of 2020 to the present day continues to live in difficult conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused unprecedented economic damage to almost all countries of the world.

According to experts from UNWTO and UNCTAD, tourism was one of the most affected sectors of the economy due to the coronavirus pandemic. The impact of falling demand for international travel could lead to the loss of between 850 million and 1.1 billion international tourists. Revenue losses range from $ 910 billion to $ 1.2 trillion. Job losses are estimated at between 100 and 120 million. The current crisis in international tourism has become the worst since 1950, when the first statistical estimates appeared.

The recovery of the tourism industry after the pandemic will be possible only after lifting of quarantine and other restrictions on freedom of movement and economic activity, while taking the strictest security measures and ensuring the health of the population of countries.

In this regard I want to refer to the UNWTO 28 May 2020 "Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism", which indicates priority tasks providing necessary actions to be taken by all responsible structures and bodies in order to promote safe tourism.

The tourism industry can become a driver of economic recovery, restoration of the "pre- pandemic" level of the economy and its subsequent growth. In this regard, it can be noted that the SCO Member States implement various programs to support the economy as a whole and its most affected sectors, such as tourism, transportation of all types, hotel business, etc.

The pandemic has created great difficulties and problems for all countries. At the same time, it is clear that new opportunities are emerging. The example of China shows how successfully the tourism industry can be developed using modern technologies by providing "contactless" services such as virtual tours, "cloud exhibitions", etc. It is important that innovations can improve the tourist environment and increase the overall level of development of tourist facilities in our countries.

On May 22, 2020, the Heads of tourism administrations of the SCO Member States approved a Joint Action Plan for cooperation in the field of tourism for the period 2021- 2022, which, I am sure, will give a new impetus to cooperation and interaction between the parties.

Dear participants of the Conference,

The SCO has all the opportunities to become one of the world's economic centers, which will lead to positive changes in the development of tourism as well. The total GDP of the SCO Member States in 2019 amounted to 22.5% of the global figure (18.4 trillion US dollars) and by 2030 may reach 35-40% of the world GDP.

According to expert estimates, by 2030, China and India will take leading positions among the top ten economies in the world. According to the international Bank "Standard Chartered", by 2030, the GDP of the world's top 10 economies will amount to 190 trillion US dollars, of which 60% will be accounted for by China, India and Russia.

In order to promote the country tourism brand of the SCO Member States, the concept of the "Eight Wonders of the SCO" series of events is being successfully implemented, which is aimed at demonstrating the cultural diversity and tourism potential of the SCO.

The SCO Secretariat has established relations with UNWTO on the basis of a signed Memorandum of Understanding.

The potential for tourism development between our countries is very significant. The list of monuments of the tangible and intangible world heritage of UNESCO includes 143 objects from the SCO Member States.

The "Eight Wonders of the SCO" Project first presented in June 2019, is a series of thematic presentations initiated by the SCO Secretariat on tourism issues with the participation of representatives of diplomatic and trade missions, agencies of the SCO Member States in the field of tourism, travel companies, tour operators, as well as other relevant mechanisms of the Organization. The goal of this Project is to present widely the tourism resources, programs, cultural and creative products and the culture of tourism features of the SCO Member States through the presentation of national wonders of the eight Member States.

The Project was developed by the SCO Secretariat and supported by the Organization's Member States. It is aimed at creating a single tourist space and is being implemented in accordance with relevant decisions of the Qingdao 2018 SCO Summit.

The "Eight Wonders of the SCO" Project has become a milestone in the history of the SCO, demonstrating the organization's dynamic practical activities aimed at strengthening socio-economic ties between Member States, Observer States, Dialogue Partners as well as all interested parties. I would like to note in this regard that the international trade building and the pavilion of “the Eight Wonders of the SCO” project have already been built on the territory of the Demonstration Zone of Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation in Qingdao, as a contribution of our Chinese friends to the common cause.

It is planned to hold presentations of the "Eight Wonders of the SCO" Project in all SCO countries and those ones located along the "Belt and Road Initiative". I can note that before the pandemic, active work was carried out on its implementation and presentations were successfully held in St. Petersburg, Helsinki, and Dushanbe. Special attention is paid to presentations in China and they were held in Beijing and Xi’an. We will also hold presentations in other cities of China.

Despite the fact that the pandemic has made its own adjustments, we believe that travelers from the countries of the SCO large family will continue to be the most active tourists, which will allow us to revive strong cultural and humanitarian ties and contacts between our countries and peoples.

Dear participants of the Conference,

In conclusion, I would like to express my firm hope that the commitment of the SCO Member States to the "Shanghai spirit" will allow us all to come out of this difficult situation with honor and become even stronger and more united. I wish great success to the participants of the Conference!

Thank you for your attention.

Moderator: Thank you Mr. Jonon Sherali for your speech. Member cities of WTCF are spread in 75 countries and regions across the world. Wuhan, one of the representative member cities, is a heroic city with a glorious past. Pandemic prevention and control along with economic recovery practices in Wuhan have been the enlightenment for the recovery and development of global tourism. Now, let’s give the floor to Mr. Chen Honghui, WTCF Member City Representative and Vice Mayor of Wuhan.

Mr. Chen Honghui, Vice Mayor of Wuhan, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony

Mr. Chen Honghui

Honorable Minister Hu Heping, Mayor Chen Jining, Deputy Secretary-General Jonon Sherali, Vice Mayor Wang Hong, Secretary-General Chen Dong, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Good morning!

It’s my great pleasure to meet you in the golden autumn of Beijing for the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development whose value of the times is greatly highlighted against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. First of all, I’m very grateful to organizers of the conference for their considerate arrangements, granting Wuhan, a member city of WTCF, the opportunity to deliver a speech for the opening ceremony. On behalf of the city of Wuhan, I’d like to extend my warmest congratulations to the convening of this conference, and to ministries, provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, enterprises, international organizations, people from all walks of life and friends at home and abroad who have supported Wuhan with no efforts spared during the battle against COVID-19!

As a pivotal city in the central region of China, Wuhan boasts abundant natural resources as well as cultural heritage. It is an outstanding tourism city, a demo city of tourism and leisure, a model city for tourism standardization and one of the top-ten cities for night economy in China that has enjoyed booming tourism in recent years. However, COVID- 19 put Wuhan into a paused period or coma. Thanks to the guidance and support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, we have made every effort to alleviate difficulties faced by tourism companies and revitalize the tourism industry. Tourism economy in Wuhan has made a triple jump from kick-start to warming up and then firing up. On August 8th, we launched the campaign of “Travel around Hubei, Drop in on Wuhan”. From August to December this year, 23 A-level scenic spots in Wuhan are open to tourists coming from all over China who have made an appointment in advance free of admissions fees. In the past month, daily received tourists in all scenic spots in Wuhan increased by 34% year-on-year. And the overall occupancy rate of local starred hotels increased by 13 percentage points year-on-year. There has been an obvious increase in tourists from outside of Wuhan that accounted for 44.9%, significantly driving the resurrection and development of relevant service industries. Monitoring data on trip.com show an increase in August for hotel accommodation of 36% compared to July. This has pushed up hotel revenue by 40%, together with a rise in air tickets to Wuhan by 29%, and a growth of air ticket revenue by 30% compared to the previous month. The broadcasting of an electric music festival on August 18 in Wuhan Maya Beach Water Park has captured the attention of overseas media outlets and made one of the most searched hashtags for many times. All these have presented a Wuhan full of vigor and vitality to all.

Tourism recovery practice in Wuhan is highly in line with the theme of this conference - Rebuilding World Tourism for Prosperity - and has created good examples for the world tourism industry to resume business and growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On this occasion, on behalf of 14 million hospitable people in Wuhan, I’d like to invite tourists from all over the world to Wuhan for sightseeing, leisure and vacation. You are always welcome to Wuhan for top-rated experiences in the following aspects.

Come to Wuhan for the safest travel. In May of 2020, we launched a grand campaign of nucleic acid testing covering a total of over 10 million people without a single confirmed case. All 130,000 samples taken from public environment tested negative. It is proved that Wuhan is a safe and secure city and people in Wuhan are in good health. Your trip to Wuhan is most welcomed and worry-free.

Come to Wuhan for its refreshing and delicious foods. Wuhan, the Chinese Capital of Delicacy and Breakfast, is famous for cuisines of blunt-snout bream, soup of pork ribs and lotus root, and Hongshan brassica rapa. Never forget hot dry noodles, duck necks, Doupi, steamed dumplings and Wuhan doughnuts that all together have added life to this riverside city. A taste of Wuhan will widely open your appetite and satisfy your every desire.

Come to Wuhan for an interesting trip. Wuhan has a history of 3,500 years, in which two rivers meet each other and three towns stand tall. There are 166 lakes and 446 mountains dotting the city where half of its landscape is filled with water and the other half boasting magnificent mountains. Famous scenic spots you must visit are Yellow Crane Tower, Guqin Platform, Guiyuan Temple, Tan Hualin, Hankow Customs House, East Lake and Zhiyin Cruise. There must be one that’s your type considering that tourism activities in Wuhan have five features, namely tourism above blue water, tourism of green ecology, tourism for red revolution and education, tourism among antique cultural heritage, and tourism in leisure night. You will never want to leave once setting your feet in Wuhan.

Come to Wuhan and stay in the most comfortable hotels. There are 57 starred hotels and many characteristic hotels and countryside B&B in Wuhan. Most of them are near the river, along the lake, or surrounded by mountains. Outside your window are mountains, waves and frog sounds, an extremely appealing environment.

Come to Wuhan to enjoy the best services. We have promoted Tourism Plus by optimizing the overall tourism environment, improving services based on tourists’ feedback, and providing the most exquisite experience for travelers. With a grateful heart to the whole country, people in Wuhan try their best to leave slots open in appointments for scenic spots on weekends and during holidays, so that tourists from outside of Wuhan could have a chance to enjoy the beautiful and poetic scenery in Wuhan.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

General Secretary Xi Jinping praised Wuhan as a heroic city, and Wuhan people as heroes. We have firmly seized opportunities from the supporting policy package from the Central Government to accelerate post-pandemic recovery and high-quality development so as to build Wuhan in the image of a national central city and an international metropolis. We are embracing you all with fresh and dressed-up landscape. Welcome to this heroic city and enjoy your time in the impressive and memorable Wuhan.

Welcome to Wuhan. We look forward to seeing you!

Thank you!

Moderator: Thank you, Vice Mayor Chen Honghui, for your speech

UNWTO is an important strategic partner of WTCF. They have been engaged in long- term cooperation to conduct evaluation and monitoring of city tourism, developmemt of sustainable tourism, and growth of smart cities. Together, they have issued UNWTO/WTCF City Tourism Performance Research, providing important guidance to the development of city tourism. Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UNWTO has made a video message for this conference. Here it comes on the screen!

Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of World Tourism Organization (UNTWO) , delivers a speech at the opening ceremony

Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili:

Your Excellency Minister,

Your Excellency Chairman of World Tourism Cities Federation,

Dear participants, distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honor to greet you at the start of this important event.

This Conference comes at a critical moment for global tourism. No country has been left untouched by the COVID-19 pandemic. China was, of course, the first to be affected. The virus cost many lives. On behalf of UNWTO, I share with you my sincere condolences on your loss.

The pandemic also brought tourism to a standstill. This has cost many jobs. But China has led the way in controlling the spread of the virus. The national economy is gradually reopening. And the lifting of travel restrictions gives hope to millions of people – both in China and worldwide. Against this backdrop of determination and optimism, UNWTO has joined with the World Tourism Cities Federation and other international tourism organizations for this conference. The main purpose of this event is to boost confidence in the development of world tourism through stronger multilateral cooperation.

Cities will have an important role to play. They offer culture, gastronomy and both modernity and history. And tourism provides opportunity, supports jobs and drives the development of neighborhoods and whole cities. Managing the safe return of tourists to cities is essential. Cooperation, enhanced safety protocols and the use of innovation and technology, will be key to achieving this.

I wish the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development every success, and I look forward to learning of its outcomes.

Thank you.

Moderator: Thank you, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvil, for your warm speech. China is a big tourism country, playing an important role in the prosperity and development of world tourism. Now, let’s give the floor to Mr. Hu Heping, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China. Welcome.

Mr. Hu Heping, Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony

Mr. Hu Heping:

Honorable Chairman Chen Jining, Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Jonon Sherali, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

It’s my great pleasure to meet you online and offline. COVID-19 is still spreading globally,posing severe challenges to the world tourism. Against this background, WTCF has joined hands with many important international organizations to organize the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development during 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) to discuss the development of world tourism amid COVID-19, which is quite fitting in times and necessary. It has demonstrated firm determination from the global tourism industry in unity against hardship and is crucial to the restoration, revitalization and prosperity of global tourism as it contributes wisdom, experience and strength. On behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, I’d like to extend my warmest congratulations on the convening of the conference and my sincerest greetings to the Chinese and foreign guests participating in the conference!

The COVID-19 pandemic is the most severe public health emergency of international concern since the end of the World War II, posing unprecedented threats to human life, delivering a heavy blow to the global economy, and presenting a stern challenge to governance capabilities of all countries. The Chinese government has attached great importance to these issues. President Xi Jinping personally issued instructions and made deployments in response to these challenges. People of the whole nation are united to take the most comprehensive, thorough and strict prevention and control measures. We have introduced policies and measures to coordinate pandemic prevention and control at a fast speed, with great strength and humanity caring. Major strategic results have been achieved in economic and social development.

During this process, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has taken solid measures in pandemic prevention and control, and steadily promoted the resumption of work and production under the unified leadership of the Central Government. This has not only effectively prevented disease spread via tourism activities, but also supported the recovery and development of tourism industry. I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you our main practices.

Firstly, we have always been placing the highest priority on people's health, life and safety. After the COVID-19 outbreak, we immediately closed scenic spots, paused the organization of group activities by travel agencies, actively coordinated the return of outbound tourists, and issued overseas travel tips, which has effectively prevented COVID- 19 from spreading in the tourism sector.

Secondly, we have made every effort to help tourism companies and practitioners overcome difficulties. In response to difficulties of the tourism industry, we have introduced a series of relief measures, such as temporarily reimbursing deposits of tourism service quality, coordinating ticket refunds, introducing policies of financial support and fees and taxes reduction, protecting labor rights of tour guides, and maintaining the stability of tour guide team. We have striven to minimize the losses caused by COVID-19.

Thirdly, we have actively and steadily resumed tourism operation and activities. We have acted according to different regional ratings, issuing working guides, offering appointment services, restricting traffic and people flow in scenic spots and advocating for peak shifting in traveling so as to reopen scenic spots, restart tourist restaurants and resume business in travel agencies in an orderly and gradual way. We have marketed discounted air tickets and admission fees, handed out consumption vouchers and increased publicity to stimulate tourism consumption and restore confidence in the tourism industry.

Fourthly, we have planned to promote the high-quality development of tourism after the pandemic. When we were effectively coping with the pandemic, we have carried out large-scale and free online training and digital upgrading projects for cultural and tourism companies, vigorously promoting smart tourism, strengthening tourism market management and industrial consolidation, and continuously improving development capabilities of tourism industry. We are now studying and formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan in which high-quality development will be the major task supported by numerous policies, projects and measures.

Ladies and gentlemen, tourism is one of the largest industries in the world. It is a pillar industry of the national economy for many countries, playing an irreplaceable role in promoting economic and social development and enhancing people’s sense of happiness, security and gain. As tourism is highly sensitive to external environment, it is also one of the most severely hit industries by the pandemic. Previous speakers have mentioned that OECD estimates a drop of 60-80% in international tourism revenue this year. UNWTO forecasts that global tourism output would fall by 70% in 2020. Against this background, it is of particular importance to restart tourism and recreate prosperity. China would like to enhance cooperation and share experience with other countries to jointly promote the prosperity and development of the tourism industry. For this purpose, I’d like to propose several initiatives:

Firstly, the government should strengthen overall planning and provide targeted assistance. Tourism industry is a typical integrated industry with wide coverage and of high relevance as problems in one link would affect the entire industrial chain. It is recommended that governments of all countries should strengthen top-level design, coordinate and utilize resources from all departments, and introduce overall measures to help tourism companies overcome difficulties, with a key focus on travel agencies, aviation companies, hotels, restaurants and other relevant business formats to maintain a good industrial ecosystem.

Secondly, enterprises should seek opportunities from this crisis and reserve energy. As the core of tourism industry, they should take the initiative to incubate opportunities from crisis and create new landscapes in the changing environment. It is recommended that, during disease prevention and control, we should focus on capacity building, planning for the development, promoting R&D of new products, and exploring new models. At the same time, the tourism market could be restored in an orderly way when safety is ensured in accordance with the evolving pandemic situation. It is necessary to adapt to the requirements of informatization in particular, tapping the potential of new technologies such as 5G, big data, cloud computing and AI to develop smart tourism, promote appointment scheme, limit tourist quantity and shave the peak of tourism activities for the benefit of high-quality tourism.

Thirdly, tourists should change their concepts and pursue healthy travel. During the pandemic, many people quarantined at home re-examined their original lifestyle and traveling concepts. We encourage Chinese and foreign tourists to establish a concept of scientific tourism, voluntarily engaging in safe, green and civilized travel. When you are a responsible tourist, a better tourism experience is yours.

Ladies and gentlemen, President Xi Jinping pointed out at the Global Trade in Services Summit of the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services that such an international economic event could only be organized thanks to China’s efforts in overcoming many difficulties for the purpose of cooperating with all countries hand in hand to rise above hardships and promote the development of global trade in services as well as the recovery of the world economy as soon as possible.

President Xi Jinping has advocated on many occasions that the international community should step up effective cooperation in joint prevention and control, and pull together a strong joint force to fight the pandemic. Responding to the impact of COVID-19 and promoting tourism recovery require unity and joint force of the global tourism industry. I sincerely hope that international tourism organizations will continue to build platforms for exchange and cooperation. Governments, tourism authorities, associations, companies, experts and scholars from all over the world should pursue the same goal, overcoming difficulties and creating a better future together!

Finally, I wish the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development a complete success!

Thank you!

Moderator: Thank you, Minister Hu Heping, for your speech.

China has made significant progress against COVID-19. And Minister Hu shared with us Chinese experience and wisdom in developing tourism industry, responding to COVID-19 in a well-founded and proper manner and pursuing the resumption of development. He also called for strengthened international cooperation, experience sharing and positive contribution to the healthy development of tourism industry because these measures would definitely support in-depth international collaboration on tourism in this tough time and consequently open up new horizons for the global tourism.

Distinguished representatives and guests, rebuilding world tourism for prosperity is a shared expectation in the global tourism industry. We believe that as long as we stay united and work together, we will be able to have an overall victory against COVID-19 and usher in renewed prosperity for global tourism.

This is the end of the opening ceremony for the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development!