On May 29th, the "International Mountain Tourism Day (IMTD) 2024" was successfully held in Nice, the capital city of the French department of Alpes-Maritimes. The "IMTD 2024" revolved around the theme of "Mutual Understanding among People through Mountain Tourism" and the forum theme "Mountain Tourism Destinations Responding to Climate Change", including a series of activities such as launching ceremony, theme forum, promotion conference , negotiation meeting, exhibition and etc. Through the integration and dialogue of different cultures, attendees discussed innovative strategies, shared new experiences of mountain tourism development, and explored models and paths for multi field and level business cooperation. France is a cultural and artistic center of Europe and one of the earliest countries to develop mountain tourism. Hosting IMTD Theme Events here holds special significance Through multi-perspective, multi -field, and multi-topic discussions and interactions, it brought in-depth thinking and experience to the attendees. The rich exchange activities highlight and promote the development concept of mutual learning among civilizations, driving innovation in the "Mountain Tourism+" model.

At the opening ceremony of the 2024 IMTD Theme Events, the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) launched the "Global Initiative on Mutual Understanding among People through Mountain Tourism" to the world.

The following is the full text of the initiative:

Global Initiative on Mutual Understanding among People through Mountain Tourism

2024 "International Mountain Tourism Day"

Exchange and communication among people from different countries, regions and nationalities is essential to enhance mutual understanding, build mutual trust, forge friendships, and strengthen cooperation. Relying on mutual understanding to promote the innovation and development of mountain culture will inject new momentum into the preservation of mountain civilizations and ultimately contribute to the enhancement of world civilizations and peaceful coexistence. International Mountain Tourism Day 2024, with the theme of "Mutual Understanding among People through Mountain Tourism", aims to boost the sustainable development of mountain tourism. It also aims to promote mutual understanding among Chinese and French people through mountain tourism, accentuating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France, as well as the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. On this significant and momentous day, we extend a call to the entire global mountain tourism industry to:

Firstly, embrace the diversity of civilizations, promote exchanges and interactions among mountain civilizations. Mountains are important sources of human civilizations, and they are a treasure trove of diverse cultures. As a unique form of civilization, the mountain civilization has a long history with multi-cultural significance. We should value the characteristics and unique advantages of mountain tourism by jointly creating an atmosphere of mountain tourism cooperation that reaches beyond regional and cultural differences. We should commit ourselves to enhancing the well-being of global mountain communities through inclusive development, promote mutual respect and harmony among mountain civilizations, and advocate for the establishment of a new type of international relations that is centered on win-win cooperation. Through these efforts we can build an open, inclusive, and harmonious world.

Secondly, preserving mountain civilizations, promoting the innovation of "mountain tourism +" mode. Mountain resources and their geomorphic environments have created brilliant mountain civilizations, which are valuable cultural heritage for all mankind as well as highly unique tourism resources. Tourism serves as the conduit of civilization and culture, with culture acting as the innovative gene and soul of tourism. In the process of development, mountain tourism should be integrated with the preservation of mountain civilizations and cultures. While highlighting the territoriality, diversity, and cultural heritage of mountain tourism, we should improve traditional business, develop new products and services, foster new business, new products and models, promote the innovative development of the "mountain tourism+" approach, and seek to revitalize mountain civilizations.

Thirdly, promoting mutual learning among civilizations via mountain tourism. Tourism is an important way to promote exchanges and mutual understanding among civilizations. The unique advantages of mountain tourism create a more appropriate atmosphere for exchanges and mutual understanding among civilizations. We should further leverage tourism's function of "people-to-people exchange" to boost civil diplomacy and public diplomacy through mountain tourism. This involves promoting mutual learning among civilizations, fostering cultural exchanges, strengthening friendships, instilling a sense of security and trust, transcending boundaries between regions and countries, advocating for the implementation of the concept of "Travel without Borders", and building a bridge of mutual respect and understanding.

Fourth, building new consensus on civilized mountain tourism, creating a community with a shared future for sustainable tourism. We should uphold the world outlook on civilized mountain tourism, guide tourists in preserving cultural heritage, communicate with mountain residents on an equal footing, and endeavor to create a new realm of civilized tourism through openness and sharing. Building a world tourism community calls for extensive consultation, collective contributions, as well as the concerted efforts of society, government and the market. We must uphold the principle of "harmony in diversity" while promoting the modernization of the global tourism governance system. This entails promoting the common development of tourism across nations, working together to build a community with a shared future for sustainable tourism, and presenting a new vision for the modernization of the human society.

Finally, advocating for civilized tourism and empowering high-quality development. We should advocate for civilized tourism, by enhancing the public's environmental awareness, encouraging conscious actions, creating a trend of civilized tourism that features harmony between man and nature. We should continuously improve the capability of tourism destination management, implement high-level civilized tourism standards, promote civilized tourism through quality services, align behavioral norms of civilized tourism with economic benefits, and establish an institutional mechanism conducive to the mutual learning and sharing of civilized tourism. These efforts aim to foster the sustainable development of the tourism industry.

Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen

Editor Ⅱ: Wu Dan

Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong