Premier sends congratulations to World Tourism Alliance ceremony

Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message to the inauguration ceremony of the World Tourism Alliance held in Chengdu, Sichuan province on Tuesday.

Tourism is the world largest comprehensive industry, with surging growth rates, and is widely connected to other industries, Li said in the letter, adding that developing tourism is an important channel for boosting economic development and promoting communication among countries.

Tourist numbers around the world have increased rapidly in recent years, and grown markedly for seven consecutive years. This has boosted consumption and driven employment, contributing significantly to global economic recovery, Li said.

He pointed out in the letter that the development of tourism is an historical opportunity but also faces challenges. It is important to realize the potential of inclusive growth in this sector, Li said, and both government and the private sector should take full advantage of ideas and resources in developing tourism. He said he believes the World Tourism Alliance will create more platforms of communication in developing tourism, and the Chinese government is ready to pay close attention to, and greatly support, the growth of the alliance, welcoming the tourism industry from around the world to participate.

World Tourism Alliance is the world’s first global and comprehensive tourism organization, and the China Tourism Association was the key driver. The inauguration ceremony of the alliance in Chengdu on Tuesday was attended by more than 1,000 representatives from 125 countries, as they were also attending the 22nd General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.