Editor's Note: On November 11, the International Conference of Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports (MTOS) 2025 commenced in Guiyang City, Guizhou Province. With the continued theme "Integration of Culture, Tourism and Sports Presents a High Quality Life," this year's Conference featured a series of events including the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) Annual Conference 2025, the International Mountain Tourism Promotion Conference 2025, a Field Trip to Guizhou Mountain Tourism Destinations, and the Bank of Guizhou·Mountain Culture, Tourism and Outdoor Sport Equipment Exhibition. Over 350 participants gathered, including representatives from international organizations, government and tourism departments of relevant countries, diplomatic missions in China, tourism-related enterprises, mountain tourism destination management agencies, experts, scholars, and media from more than 30 countries and regions. They explored new pathways for the integrated development of "Mountain Tourism +", shared new achievements in mountain tourism development, and worked together to build a prosperous new future for mountain tourism. Dominique de Villepin, Chairman of IMTA, delivered the opening address for the Conference.
The following is the full text of the speech:
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, good morning!
I am delighted to join you virtually at the IMTA Annual Conference 2025. The close connection between this conference and the International Mountain Tourism & Outdoor Sports Conference 2025 has been strengthened over the years. This year, our conference has become the core part of the event, a testament to the strong partnership between Guizhou Province and IMTA. We truly appreciate Guizhou's permanent trust and support.
Looking back over the past eight years, IMTA has grown significantly. We now have over 200 members from more than 40 countries across six continents. We have seen and helped drive the shift of mountain tourism from a niche market to a key player in the global tourism industry. As the industry has recovered and restructured, IMTA has become more cohesive, active, and influential on the international stage.
Today, we face more challenges. In this fragile and complex global economic landscape, marked by imbalances and instability, rising protectionism, supply chain restructuring, and geopolitical tensions are putting cross-border cooperation to the test. Yet, this is exactly why mountain tourism, which fosters people-to-people connections and shared benefits, is becoming increasingly valuable.
First, mountain tourism is a new engine for economic recovery. Amid global economic sluggishness, it boosts employment and empowers local economies, making it a top choice for many countries. It turns ecological and cultural resources into real development gains, supporting regional economic diversification. This model avoids overusing resources like traditional industries do, and it fits the transformation needs of the global economy.
Second, mountain tourism is a soft link for geopolitical dialogue. It is non-political and open to everyone, making it a great way to bridge differences. When mountain communities from different countries work together in areas such as ecological protection and operation management, they are really building trust among ordinary people. This kind of cooperation, based on shared interests, helps bridge the gaps caused by geopolitical tensions and adds a gentle but strong push to multilateral cooperation.
Third, mountain tourism is a testing ground for sustainable development. Climate change and ecological protection are now global priorities. Mountains, as vital "water towers and carbon sinks", are at the forefront of this effort. Mountain tourism is making a real difference by spreading low-impact development and exploring ways to manage our carbon footprint. It is turning environmental ideas into action and creating a win-win situation for nature and the economy. Besides, with digital technology, we are striking a better balance between ecology priority and experience enhancement.
Mount Fitzroy, Argentina
To meet these trends, we must break down regional and industry barriers with an open mindset, making international cooperation the key driver for mountain tourism. Governments, international organizations, and industry stake-holders should step up policy talks and align their strategies to coordinate mountain tourism development. They should focus on practical cooperation in setting common standards, sharing data, jointly training talent, and linking markets. By fostering open, inclusive, and connected international cooperation, we can turn mountain tourism into a powerful force for global economic recovery, cultural exchange, and sustainable development.
This year, we have made substantial strides in international collaboration and industrial innovation. In May, the " International Mountain Tourism Day 2025" held in Gran Canaria, Spain, was a huge success. With the theme "Embracing Mountains and Seas, Coexisting with Cultures", we joined global leaders to explore how mountain tourism can boost cultural inclusiveness and sustainable development for the future. Meanwhile, we continued to deliver professional value. At this year's conference, we are going to release a special report: Innovations in Mountain Tourism and Community Co-development. It is packed with global best practices and cutting-edge ideas, offering duplicable paths for destination management, community involvement, and business upgrades. We are also recognizing new "World Famous Tourism Mountains" and "IMTA International Mountain Hiking Tourism Demonstration Routes". But this is not just about awards. It is about setting examples and creating a standard that balances ecological protection, cultural respect, and top-notch experiences. This shift moves mountain tourism from "resource orientation" to "value orientation".
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, the collaborative spirit, sustainable ethos, and human touch of mountain tourism are just what we need to tackle today's challenges. We are ready to join hands with our industry peers. Let's use multilateral cooperation to bridge divides and sustainable development to shape our future. Together, we can turn every mountain peak into a symbol of peace and progress.
Image and text source: IMTA
Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen
Editor Ⅱ: Bao Gang
Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong
