Recently, the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) officially released the "Working Rules of the Expert Committee of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (Amendment)" , marking an important step forward in standardizing the operation of the Expert Committee and improving work efficiency.
It is reported that the Amendment was deliberated and approved at the 4th Plenary Session of the 2nd Council of the IMTA on March 10, 2025. The meeting fully discussed the content of the Amendment to ensure they align with the development needs of the Alliance and the practical work of the Expert Committee, aiming to further improve the working mechanism of the Expert Committee and enhance the scientificity and professionalism of decision-making.
The Amendment cover various aspects such as the responsibilities of the Expert Committee, meeting systems, expert selection and management, and working procedures, providing clear guidance and norms for the daily operation of the Expert Committee. The implementation of the Amendment will help improve the work efficiency and professionalism of the Expert Committee, providing stronger intellectual support for the development of the IMTA.
The IMTA has officially issued the Amendment to all council members and members of the Expert Committee, requiring immediate implementation. Meanwhile, to enhance transparency and openness, the Amendments will also be published on the relevant promotional platforms of the IMTA, facilitating understanding and supervision by all parties.
The release of the Amendment is a significant measure taken by the IMTA in promoting institutional construction and strengthening internal management. The IMTA will continue to uphold the principles of openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit, constantly improve its own construction, and promote the vigorous development of mountain tourism.
Annex: Notice on the Issuance of the Working Rules of the Expert Committee of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (Amendment)
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Article 1 In accordance with the Statutes of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (hereinafter referred to as the "IMTA"), with a view to promoting the sustainable development of world mountain tourism, accurately grasping the development direction of mountain tourism, exploring the innovative development and future of mountain tourism, disseminating advanced experience in mountain tourism development, and providing intellectual support and technical assurance for the development of mountain tourism, it is determined to establish the IMTA Expert Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Expert Committee").
Article 2 The Expert Committee serves as the IMTA's expert think tank and consulting service body, assisting the IMTA Secretariat in its endeavor. The working rules herein are formulated by the IMTA Secretariat of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance.
Chapter 2 Work Tasks
Article 3 The Expert Committee shall offer advisory opinions and suggestions for the IMTA's construction and development planning, and provide professional guidance and technical advice in the establishment of major strategies and the execution of major events by the IMTA.
Article 4 Members stay informed about, understand, and analyze the global trends of mountain tourism, conduct special research or thematic studies, and produce corresponding research reports.
Such research or studies may be commissioned either by the IMTA or by individual experts in collaboration with others.
The IMTA will provide appropriate financial support for projects undertaken either on its behalf or proposed by the experts.
Article 5 Each expert member is encouraged to author one to two professional articles on mountain tourism annually. The IMTA will provide remuneration for articles that are assessed and subsequently adopted.
Article 6 Members consult on the rules, standards, and guidelines related to mountain tourism developed by the IMTA Secretariat, engage in the IMTA's certification, evaluation, review, monitoring, and assessment activities, and undertake professional consulting and training tasks commissioned by the IMTA. The IMTA will pay for expert consulting services.
Article 7 Members actively engage in important activities hosted by the IMTA or academic and cooperative exchange activities organized by the IMTA with other cooperative organizations.
Chapter 3 Composition and Operational Mechanism
Article 8 Composition of the Expert Committee
1. The Expert Committee is comprised of esteemed senior experts in the field of international mountain tourism and related industries, including a director, two deputy directors, and several members. The director and deputy director are nominated by the IMTA Secretariat and confirmed by the IMTA Council Meeting. The members of the Expert Committee are either nominated by the IMTA Secretariat and members or self-nominated, and confirmed by the IMTA Council.
2. The Expert Committee, based on the professional domains and technical expertise of its experts, organizes work in line with the committee's work plan.
Article 9 Responsibilities of the director of the Expert Committee
1. Steering the operations of the Expert Committee.
2. Presiding over all meetings of the Expert Committee. In the event of absence, the director may delegate this responsibility to the deputy director.
3. Fulfilling other responsibilities as assigned by the IMTA.
Article 10 Operational Mechanism
1. The Expert Committee may, as needed, convene irregularly thematic work meetings to discuss and execute the established work plans and specific tasks.
2. To improve efficiency, a variety of formats, including regular meetings, virtual meetings, teleconferences, and correspondence meetings, will be employed based on the content, timeliness, and importance of the work.
3. An annual plenary meeting of the Expert Committee shall be convened to review the year's work, exchange views, set the agenda for the next year and formulate work plans.
4. The IMTA Secretariat manages the daily affairs of the Expert Committee, including expert communication, organization, coordination, and meeting services.
Chapter 4 Expert Qualifications and Procedures
Article 11 Basic Qualifications for Experts
1. Experts shall have a robust academic background and extensive professional experience, demonstrating a high level of expertise in their fields. They shall be familiar with the current state and development trends of global mountain tourism, be informed about the broader academic landscape, and possess visionary and distinctive perspectives. They shall also have significant academic achievements and carry considerable prestige and influence within their domains.
2. Experts shall have rich work experience in the tourism industry or related fields, a deep understanding of mountain tourism and its related fields, as well as substantial practical experience and strong work capabilities.
3. Experts must be willing and able to allocate sufficient time to participate in the work of the Expert Committee.
Article 12 Selection and Reappointment of Experts
1. Candidates for expert positions may be nominated by the IMTA Secretariat and members, or they may be self-nominated.
2. Nominees or self-nominated individuals shall complete the Nomination Form for Expert Candidates of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance and submit it along with relevant supporting documents to the IMTA Secretariat.
3. The IMTA Secretariat will conduct a preliminary review of the nominee's or self-nominated individual's qualifications in accordance with the rules outlined in Article 11, verify the submitted documents, and then forward them to the IMTA Council for deliberation.
4. The IMTA Council will deliberate on and approve the nominations, and issue appointment certificates to selected experts, with a term of four years.
5. Six months prior to the term expiration, the IMTA Secretariat will issue a confirmation letter of reappointment to the experts. Upon confirmation, a written application must be submitted for IMTA Council approval to extend the appointment.
Article 13 Rights of Experts
1. Experts may, as necessary, participate in events organized by the IMTA and the Expert Committee and receive relevant information and documentation from the IMTA Secretariat.
2. Experts may be entrusted by the Secretariat with research projects.
3. Experts may submit work suggestions and opinions to the Expert Committee, the IMTA Secretariat, and the IMTA Council.
4.Experts may be invited to participate in important activities hosted by IMTA or events that the IMTA is invited to engage.
Article 14 Obligations of Experts
1.Experts shall take active part in the relevant work specified in Chapter II.
2. Experts shall strictly follow the principles of intellectual property protection in their work, comply with relevant laws and regulations, the IMTA's statutes, and the Expert Committee's working rules, and protect the IMTA's rights, interests and reputation.
3. Experts shall uphold professional ethics and perform their duties objectively and impartially.
4. No experts may organize any activities in the name of the Expert Committee without the consent thereof.
5. Experts are personally accountable for their consulting opinions and suggestions.
Article 15 Resignation and Dismissal of Experts
(i) The IMTA Secretariat may terminate the appointment of an expert under any of the following circumstances.
1. If the expert voluntarily applies to cease being a member of the Expert Committee;
2. If the expert is unable to fulfill the duties of the Expert Committee due to age or health reasons;
3. If the expert has not participated in any activities of the Expert Committee or has been unreachable for a period of two years;
4. If the expert fails to submit a reappointment application upon the expiration of the term;
5. If there are other circumstances that make it inappropriate for the expert to continue in their role.
(ii) The procedures for terminating an expert's appointment are as follows:
1. Initiation. Under any of the following circumstances, the IMTA Secretariat may initiate the process to terminate the expert's appointment and suspend the expert's status after being submitted to the IMTA Council for deliberation:
(1) The expert submits a written application explaining the reasons for not continuing as an expert;
(2) The IMTA Secretariat identifies circumstances under which the expert is unsuitable to serve on the Expert Committee.
2. Review
(1) After conducting a preliminary review of the application or circumstances, the IMTA Secretariat refers the matter to the Council for deliberation;
(2) The Council decides whether to terminate the expert's appointment.
3. The IMTA Secretariat publicly announces the termination of the expert's appointment on the IMTA's official website.
Chapter 5 Supplementary Provisions
Article 16 The IMTA Secretariat is responsible for interpreting these rules.
Article 17 These rules are approved by the 4th Plenary Session of the 2nd Council of the IMTA on March 10, 2025 and shall come into effect as of the date of approval.
Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen
Editor Ⅱ: Wu Dan
Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong
