Editor’s Note

On 29 May, the 2022 International Mountain Tourism Day theme event was held online and themed on “Mountain Tourism Promotes Healthy Life and Cultural Exchange”. The event motivated the New Media network, connected IMTA members, destination agencies, enterprises, and experts from all over the world, and carried out “cloud communication, dialogue, and presentation” around three chapters — “Focus · Mountain”, “Health · Life”, and “Civilization · Communication”. Against the complex global landscape and threat from COVID-19, the event helps create a healthier and more positive atmosphere and market for mountain tourism, promote cultural exchange, friendly communication, and mutual integration among countries, to jointly prepare, build, and share a bright future of mountain tourism. At the event, Aki Karihtala, president of INWA, delivered a speech.

Promoting Mountain Outdoor Sports Tourism and Nordic walking

Hello everyone. My name is Aki Karihtala. I am the president of International Nordic Walking Federation. Hello from Finland.

Nordic Walking, originated from Finland, is one of the fastest growing fitness sports activities in the world. In Nordic Walking, you are using hand held poles and a special technique while walking in order to activate also the muscles of the upper body. In Nordic Walking, you are using over 90% of the muscles of your body. In Nordic Walking you have a 46% increase in the energy consumption in comparison to regular walking and at a lower rate of perceived exertion. Our International Nordic Walking Federation INWA was founded in Finland in the mother land of Nordic Walking in the year of 2000. In our country over 20 % of the population is familiar with Nordic Walking. Our federation has over 20 official member organizations, and we have also educated thousands of Nordic Walking National Trainers and Instructors along the year. Nordic Walking presently exists in over 40 countries around the world. The world population of Nordic walkers is far over 10 million as a result of close co-operation with our member organizations to promote Nordic Walking and to improve people's health and fitness. In China, we started the promotion of Nordic walking together with Chinese Institute of Sports Science in 2005. Now Nordic Walking is practiced in about 100 cities with a population of 1 million Nordic walkers in China which is great but leaves also space for additional growth.

We are very pleased to cooperate with The International Mountain Tourism Alliance to promote Nordic walking and mountain outdoor sports tourism. Every year INWA and our member organizations organize Nordic walking activities also in mountain areas to enjoy the nature and improve health. In recent years, our member organization in China has organized several Nordic walking trips to the mountains of China and also in Europe and the participants have greatly enjoyed it. And we have also organized Nordic walkers from Europe and Asia come to the China to enjoy the wonderful nature in the mountain areas. The theme of 2022 International Mountain Tourism Day is to promote Healthy Life and Cultural Exchange through Mountain Tourism. We would very much like to promote mountain outdoor sports tourism and Nordic Walking on our side. We sincerely wish that we have a successful International Mountain Tourism Day.

Thank you very much.