UNWTO Members commit to make tourism a driver for the Agenda 2030

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1 UNWTO Members commit to make tourism a driver for the Agenda 2030 Besides the Opening Ceremony to welcome the more than 1300 delegates attending the General the Chengdu Declaration. The document that addresses the role of tourism in the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is integrated by 21 articles. High Level debate on Tourism and the SDGs Moderated by CNN International Richard Quest, the High-Level Segment on Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals & Building Partnerships for Development: the Example of the Belt and Road Initiative saw Member States commit to making tourism fully embrace the Assembly could not have had a more auspicious start. Ministerial tree planting Ceremony for the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development Parallel to the debates conducted General Assembly, the delegates have participated in a tree planting ceremony. READ MORE Interview to the Director of Chengdu Municipal Tourism Bureau Chengdu, the capital of the as the leisure city. The Director of the Municipal Tourism Bureau of Chengdu, Duoyang Namu, explains to GA Daily what has lead to that nomination. READ MORE READ MORE

2 E D I T O R I A L Tourism and its role in advancing the SDGs agenda The high-level debate on tourism and the SDGs demonstrated our sector is the perfect catalyst to advance all the 17 SDGs As stated by UNWTO Secretary- General Taleb Rifai yesterday, this is the General Assembly with the highest level of participation in the history of the World Tourism Organization. Over 1300 delegates from more than 130 countries are gathering in Chengdu to advance the contribution of tourism to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 is the create a stronger link between tourism and the 17 SDGs and As demonstrated not only throughout the International Year campaign, but also in the experiences shared yesterday in the high-level debate on tourism and the SDGs, our sector is the perfect catalyst to advance all SDGs - it can create wealth and protect the environment and build bridges of understanding among communities. Besides the link to the SDGs, the General Assembly continues today with a focus on how innovation and technology can contribute to sustainable tourism through creation of smart destinations. Do not miss the interesting exchanges and experiences that will be shared in today s special session. Again, thank you for being here with us in Chengdu! Director Sandra Carvão Chief, Communications and Publications UNWTO Content Rut Gómez Sobrino Design Alberto G. Uceda Head of Design UNWTO

3 ARTICLE More than 1300 delegates attend the 22nd UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu More than 1300 delegates from over 130 countries attended the opening of the 22nd session of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in Chengdu, China. During the next days, the priorities of the Organization for , the transformation of the UNWTO Code of Ethics for Tourism into an International Convention and the impact of technology on tourism will centre the discussions. On the agenda of the Assembly is also the election of the Secretary General for the next four years. China is an inspiration to others in terms of its supportive tourism policies and in placing tourism at the centre of its poverty alleviation and national development strategies, said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai at the opening of the 22nd session of the General Assembly. Besides being the fourth mostvisited country in the world, with 59 million international arrivals in 2016, China is also the largest domestic tourism market, with 4.4 billion trips made within its borders, he added. The Secretary-General also recalled the relevance of having this General Assembly, the last of his mandate, under the framework of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development I feel very proud to have contributed to expanding the capacity of travel and tourism to the progress of the SDGs that guide our common action to This General Assembly is a unique opportunity to continue advancing together, he said. I feel very proud to work to expand the capacity of travel and tourism to contribute to the SDGs that guide our common action to 2030, UNWTO Secretary- General, Taleb Rifai

4 ARTICLE Wang Yang, Vice-Premier of the People s Republic of China, recalled that, since the inclusion of China in UNWTO in 1983, the tourism sector has grown to represent 10% of the country s economy. Vice-Premier will guide the development of the sector and highlighted the need to enforce policies to enhance sustainable tourism. The Vice-Premier also mentioned that the inherently sustainable approach to tourism in China resulted from the traditional harmony between man and nature widely present in Chinese culture. In addition, he underlined the relevance of increasing cooperation among countries in crisis situations such as natural disasters. He further noted that 6 million jobs related to tourism have been created in 2016 in China, particularly for women, people with disabilities and rural communities. UNWTO is irreplaceable for its role of supporting the multiple dimensions of the tourism sector as well as its wide potential, he added. The UNWTO General Assembly will discuss the Chengdu Declaration on Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals. The document, in which the potential of the tourism sector is underlined in economic, social and political terms, includes 19 articles that, among others, recommend to governments to develop an integrated and holistic approach to tourism policy in order to leverage the sector s positive impact and planet and prosperity (Article 1). In addition, it proposes to undertake national assessments on tourism s contribution and commitment to the SDGs and ensure the inclusion of tourism in interministerial SDG commissions and/or working groups as well as to enhance the contribution of tourism in SDGs national strategies through the setup of institutional frameworks and mechanisms that allow participation of all stakeholders. To advance, the tourism sector should decouple growth from change throughout the entire tourism value chain; measure the impacts of travellers every day accurately and regularly, and promote accessibility for all, stated Rifai. Furthermore we sector reach communities, and prevent negative impacts on their social fabrics by tackling issues such as overcrowding, protect the weak from being exploited in our sector, prevent leakages and address global and tourismsector security challenges without compromising people s rights, particularly to freedom of travel and movement, he added. The High Level Segment discussed Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals >>

5 High level debate on Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals The opening of the 22nd session of the UNWTO General Assembly was followed by a high level session on tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals and Building Partnerships for Development: The Example of the Belt and Road Initiative, conducted by Richard Quest of CNN International. Among the participants were: Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO; Li Jinzao, Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA); His Majesty King Simeon II, Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development; Sandra Howard, Vice-Minister of Tourism of Colombia; Abulfas Garayev, Minister of Tourism of Azerbaijan; Pascal Lamy, the World Committee on Tourism Ethics; Mohammed Yehia Rashed, Minister of Tourism of Egypt; Lamia Boutaleb, Secretary of State for Tourism of Morocco; Ephraim Kamuntu, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities of Uganda; Benito Bengzon Jr., Undersecretary for Tourism Development Planning of the Philippines; George Chogovadze, Head of the National Tourism Administration of Georgia; Gloria Guevara Manzo, President and CEO of WTTC; and Ambassador Eric Jakob, Head of the Promotion Activities Directorate, State Secretariat from Switzerland. Growth and sustainability should go hand-in-hand. Recent protests in cities are the evidence that growth should be sustainable. But growth is not the enemy, as it is the story of humankind. We need to take local communities into account, said Rifai. The debate on the SDGs was followed by a session dedicated to the Belt and Road Initiative where the discussion focused on the characteristics of this initiative. Among the speakers were: UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai, CNTA Chairman Li Jinzao, Oleg Safonov, Head, Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation, Roland Ratsiraka, Minister of Tourism of Madagascar, Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia, Nikolina Angelkova, Minister of Tourism of Bulgaria, John A. E. Amaratunga, Minister of Tourism Development, Christian Minister of Culture and Sport of Kazakhstan and István Ujhelyi, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism/Chair Tourism Task Force at the European Parliament.

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7 INTERVIEW TO THE DIRECTOR OF CHENGDU MUNICIPAL TOURISM BUREAU, DUOYANG NAMU The title of Chengdu as leisure capital of the city Chengdu, host of the 22nd session of the UNWTO General Assembly, and capital of the Sichuan province, has been described as the Best Tourist City of China. The Director of the Municipal Tourism Bureau, Duoyang Nemu, explains for the GA Daily the meaning of this title. Q- Chengdu has been named Best Tourist City of China jointly by the World Tourism Organization and the China National Tourism Administration, what are the goals and priorities of its future tourism development? long-term goal of becoming the World s Tourist Destination City. It is focusing on the following areas: all-around tourism development, optimization of tourism products structure, public support service for tourism, smart tourism joint development, Tourism + industry integration, green/lowcarbon development, opening up and cooperation with foreign entities, international marketing and so on, and is expecting so see results. We hope to comprehensively promote the internationalization of Chengdu s tourism industry. Q- Chengdu is the leisure capital. It has recently won the title of China s Exemplar City for Leisure Tourism, what do you make of that? of happiness of tourists and residents in Chengdu and the quality of life in the city. The people of Chengdu love life, and enjoy life. The beautiful scenery, mild climate, abundant agricultural produce, thriving businesses and rich history gave Chengdu its strong leisure characteristic. Chengdu is the birthplace of Taoism, has a rich history of health and sports activities. Colorful recreational activities gave Chengdu the reputation of Leisure Capital. In addition to the teahouses that dot its streets and alleys, many wonderful bars, cafés, Sichuan Opera theaters, spa, sports centers and leisure farms make Chengdu a top choice for visitors to relax their bodies and minds. Day and night, Chengdu provides tourists with comfortable and enjoyable leisure options. Chengdu is the birthplace of Taoism, has a rich history of health and sports activities. Colorful recreational activities gave Chengdu the reputation of Leisure Capital

8 INTERVIEW TO THE DIRECTOR OF CHENGDU MUNICIPAL TOURISM BUREAU, DUOYANG NAMU Q- Green development is an innovation on the basis of traditional development models. How does tourism in Chengdu implement green development? A- Chengdu will give full play to the important role of tourism in the areas of stabilizing growth, structure adjustment, promoting etc. It will utilize the ideas of all of entire industry chains and production and pursue the goal of making Chengdu tourism bigger and better. Further, it will seize upon the opportunity of being recognized and National Ecological Civilization Demonstration Areas, combined with the city s development plan of Advance along the East and South, Halt on the West, Re-construct the North, and Improve the Middle, form a ecological living space that combines Mountain, City, Lake and Garden through integrated, green, low-carbon and cycle economy development. In this way, it will strengthen the eco-tourism project, establish Chengdu s international ecotourism brand. It will develop the tourism industry into one that promotes private sector development, urban-rural integration and ecological landscaping. It will develop tourism into a strategic pillar industry and a people-oriented industry that improves the wellbeing of the people. Q- Can you elaborate on the Green Tourism Standards A- With regard to the Green the process is to follow the characteristic development and insist on the combination of resource development and ecological protection, strengthening and promoting the Green Product System of National Park, Green Hotels, Green Scenic Spots, Green

9 INTERVIEW TO THE DIRECTOR OF CHENGDU MUNICIPAL TOURISM BUREAU, DUOYANG NAMU Tourism Products. This way, we will implement the Green products and enterprises. Q- In that framework you talk about the champions of ecotourism A- Yes, the strategy of developing champions of eco-tourism includes examples such as the Pingle Ancient Town-Tiantai Mountain National 5A-level Tourism Site, Qingcheng Mountain National-level Tourism Resort, Snow-capped Xiling Mountain-Huashui Bay Hot Spring National Tourism Resort and Three-Lakes-One-Mountain National Tourism Resort. We will actively promote the construction of an eco-recreational zone around the city, an international RV camp, and an international RV network. We will also consider developing a number of holiday villages, private accommodations, a start-up town and theme inns, in this way we can promote and upgrade rural tourism. Thirdly, we programs for tourism. We will actively promote green tourism development and Low-carbon operations, develop eco-friendly tourism environment and ecointensive tourism economic system. Fourthly, we will implement the Green Tourism Initiative. With the theme of greenness, we will advocate low-carbon tourism, green consumption, so as to make tourism an advantage industry in a two-type society. Fifthly, we will implement Green Tourism Development Incentive Scheme. By implementing Chengdu City policy measures on the promotion of tourism reform and development and Chengdu Tourism Promotion Regulations, we should be able to ensure the healthy development of green tourism in our city from an institutional level. Q- Chengdu is the world s food capital, what are the characteristics of its food? A- The characteristics of Chengdu Sichuan Cuisine are Spicy, Hot, Tasty and Aromatic. dishes, each Chengdu/Sichuan Moreover, there are authentic French, Japanese, Thai and other cuisines that can be found in Chengdu, providing visitors with more personalized choices.

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11 ARTICLE Ministerial Tree Planting Ceremony for the IYSTD2017 Assembly has served to welcome all delegates coming from more than 130 countries, but also to celebrate the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. One of the events in that framework has been planting trees in the Guixi Park East, in Chengdu. The Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization was accompanied in the ceremony by ministers participating in the General Assembly who kindly supported this action.

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16 PROGRAMME Daily Programme Thursday 14 September Time Meeting and Activites Room/Venue Participation Plenary 2 (Agenda item 9 & General Debate) Crystal Ballroom Media Conference Qinyang Room International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, 2017 Luncheon hosted by UNWTO, GTERC and IHG Tianfu Room Invitation only General Assembly Special Session on Smart Tourism Crystal Ballroom Associate Members meeting Shurong Room Invitation only Launch of the Guidelines on Tourism Concessions and Partnerships CDB, IUCN and UNWTO Qinyang Room Invitation only Special Session with the UNWTO Ulysses Prize Laureates Innovation: Bridging Past and Future Shuhan Room Invitation Only Technical visits GA23 Russia Evening Wanda Reign hotel Invitation Only

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