Chengdu will host the 22nd UNWTO General Assembly in 2017. (Photo by Dong Naide/Asianewsphoto)
China will host the next World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in Chengdu in 2017, a decision made Tuesday by the 21st UNWTO General Assembly in Medellin, Colombia.
"China's importance as a driver of tourism development cannot be understated. It is not only the world's fourth most visited country, but the number one source market in the world, as well as a prominent leader in domestic tourism. These numbers, alongside the Chinese authorities' continued recognition of tourism as a strategic pillar of the national economy and an effective development tool, make China a fitting host for the next UNWTO General Assembly",said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.
CNTA (China National Tourism Administration) Chairman Li Jinzao delivered a speech afterwards, expressing sincere gratitude for the trust and support from all UNWTO's member countries. China's successful bid signifies that both UNWTO and its members hold a high regard for China's tourism industry development, Li said, China will make every effort to ensure that the 22nd UNWTO General Assembly can be successfully held and that honest conversations, deep-level communication and cooperation will be achieved.
According to UNWTO data, in 2014, China received 55.6 million international tourism arrivals, generating $56.9 billion in international tourism receipts. In the same year, Chinese tourists spent $164.9 billion abroad, making China a clear leader in terms of international tourism expenditures.
UNWTO, which has 156 member countries six territories, two permanent observers and over 450 affiliate members, is a specialized agency of the UN that aims to promote the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It serves a central role as a global forum for tourism policy issues as well as tourism information.
