Editor's note: On September 15, the "International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) Annual Conference and Dialogue among World Famous Mountains 2023" opened in Xingyi City, Guizhou Province. Gathering over 200 participants, including IMTA members, renowned international organizations, relevant national cultural and tourism departments, leaders and officials from Guizhou Province, professional tourism organizations and enterprises, world-famous mountain and mountain tourism destination institutions, media and other esteemed guests. The conference was themed with "Mountain Tourism Resource Innovation and Destination Construction." Simultaneously, the Dialogue among World Famous Mountains explored the theme "World Famous Mountains Empower the Wellness of Mountain Tourism." Discussions revolved around cutting-edge strategies for mountain resource protection, innovative utilization, and development, fostering an inclusive and collaborative atmosphere.
Pansy Ho Chiu-king, Vice Chairman & Secretary-General of GTEF and Vice Chairman of IMTA, presented at the Annual Conference and delivered a speech.
The following is the full text of the speech:
Today, it is my first time attending the Annual Conference of the lnternational Mountain Tourism Alliance(IMTA) as Vice Chairman. I am honored to meet our members and industry friends from all over the world. Focusing on the trend and goal of mountain tourism development in the post-COVID era, we will discuss the concept of innovative development and accomplish the glorious mission of IMTA.
As an NGO focusing on the sustainable development of mountain tourism, IMTA is a non-negligible force in tourism development. Over the past six years, under the complex and volatile situation, we have overcome the impact of COVID-19, the uncertainties of the international environment, and other difficulties and challenges, stuck to the concept of "ecological priority, green development, unity and collaboration, mutual benefit and win-win," upheld our purpose, fully leveraged our strengths in mountain tourism, relied closely on our members and the industry, protected and innovatively used mountain resources, inherited and developed humanistic culture, promoted the regional mountain economy, improved people's well-being, and made positive efforts and contributions to the development of green tourism routes, as well as the establishment of a new mechanism for healthy and harmonious mountain tourism, thus earning a good reputation in the industry, and becoming a driver for world tourism development.
World Famous Mountains Photography Exhibition 2023
Mountain tourism, with its long history and shining civilization process, has become an indispensable part of the development history of the world tourism industry. In the 21st century, with the deepening of globalization and the development of the “Belt and Road”, mountain tourism has flourished again. According to data released by the UNWTO, mountain tourism accounts for about 20% of world tourism, showing its continued significance in world tourism.
The natural and human ecosystems of mountains provide strong resource support for mountain tourism. When the global tourism industry is entering a new development pattern, we should take full advantage of the varied climate, diverse biological resources, favorable ecological environment, and distinctive cultural features of mountains to grasp the main theme of green development. With huge potential, mountain tourism will play its role as a new driver for world tourism development.
Mount Huangshan, China
Amid drastic changes unseen in a century, the world becomes quite uncertain. In particular, some underdeveloped mountainous areas are insufficient in cultural exchanges, and the situation has constrained the world's sustainable development goals. Still, mountain tourism has injected new momentum into the mountain economy. If mountain tourism is a trans-ocean bridge that connects the world, balances regional development, and enhances understanding and trust, there will be more opportunities for mountain tourism to ride on the momentum. We share the responsibility to explore the development concepts, modes and goals of the future tourism economy, and to map out a new blueprint for world tourism.
Mount Aconcagua, Argentina
I am convinced that in an era when global tourism is fully recovering and the market pattern is changing significantly, the tourism industry should stay united and work together to reshape the pattern of the tourism industry chain to empower the high-quality development of world tourism. Based on its resource advantage, late-mover advantage and innovation advantage, along with the segments of the world tourism market and specialized business forms of tourism, mountain tourism can integrate green elements with technological elements, tap the potential of culture and health, closely link the development of world tourism with the future of the world economy, the progress of human civilization and the restoration of the earth's ecology, and jointly build a community with a shared future for world tourism.
Text and images source: IMTA
Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen
Editor Ⅱ: Wu Dan
Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong
