Beijing, January 19, 2024 – The World Tourism Alliance (WTA) held its prestigious WTA Annual Reception 2024 at the Funfly Beijing Pavilion.

On January 11th, the World Tourism Alliance (WTA) hosted the "WTA • Scholars Dialogue 2024" at its headquarters, marking a significant gathering of academic minds and industry leaders. The dialogue was centered around the theme of "Deepening Exchanges, Promoting Dialogues, and Sharing Thoughts".

Harbin, January 5 — In a remarkable display of cultural exchange and tourism collaboration, the 40th China Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, alongside the Opening Ceremony of the France-China Year of Culture and Tourism, commenced grandly in Harbin Ice and Snow World. This prestigious event, co-hosted by the Harbin Municipal People's Government and the Embassy of France in China, saw notable figures from both nations come together to celebrate the richness and diversity of their cultures. Secretary of the CPC Heilongjiang Provincial Committee, XU Qin, officially inaugurated the festival, while the Governor of Heilongjiang, LIANG Huiling, extended a warm welcome to all attendees. In a significant move, LU Yingchuan, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, and Olivia Grégoire, representing the Minister of Economy, Finance, Industrial and Digital Sovereignty of France, jointly inaugurated the France-China Year of Culture and Tourism. The ceremony was also graced by the presence of Bertrand LORTHOLARY, the French Ambassador to China, and Mr. LIU Shijun, Vice Chair and Secretary-General of the World Tourism Alliance (WTA) and Pansy HO, WTA Vice Chair and Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Global Tourism Economy Forum. A highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of magnificent ice sculptures of the Temple of Heaven and Notre-Dame Cathedral, symbolizing the cultural bridge between China and France.

Hangzhou, China - World Tourism Alliance (WTA) is gearing up for a significant event, the "WTA•Scholars Dialogue 2024", scheduled to be held from January 10th to 12th in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Under the theme "Deepening Exchanges, Promoting Dialogues, and Sharing Thoughts", the event will be a hub for strengthening ties between WTA, academia, institutions, and research organizations. The program includes keynote speeches, thematic presentations, and a Panel for young scholars. Esteemed participants from Sun Yat-Sen University, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), City University of Macau, Nankai University, Minzu University of China, Beijing International Studies University, Hangzhou City University, and other prestigious institutions will grace the event.

December 22, 2023 - The China (Wuyi Mountain) Travel Service Providers Conference 2023, hosted by the China Association of Travel Services, Nanping Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, and the People's Government of Wuyishan City, was held in Nanping, Fujian. Mr. LIU Shijun, WTA Vice Chair and Secretary-General, was invited to attend and delivered a keynote speech.

Hangzhou, December 20 – The World Tourism Alliance (WTA) commemorated its anniversary with a symposium at its headquarters in Xianghu, Hangzhou. The event was attended by key figures from the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism of China, Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, TV and Tourism, the People's Government of Xiaoshan District, the Administrative Committee of Xianghu Lake National Tourist Resort, and representatives of WTA member organizations in Hangzhou, along with the entire staff of the WTA Secretariat.

The World Tourism Alliance (WTA), in collaboration with Future Plus Technologies (Beijing) Co., Ltd., has officially launched the fourth season of the micro-documentary series "Better Tourism, Better Life, Better World" on CGTN's new media platforms. This release marks a significant stride in showcasing the transformative power of tourism in poverty alleviation and rural revitalization.

Shanghai, December 6 - The Global Promotion Conference on Tourism of Shangrao themed "Beautiful Shangrao - Comfortable in Nature" was held at the Shanghai International Convention Center. Distinguished attendees included Mr. LIU Shijun, WTA Vice Chair and Secretary-General; JIANG Lihua, a member of the Standing Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shangrao Municipal Committee; ZHANG Qi, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism; and ZHOU Jianwen, Deputy Director of the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. The event was chaired by WANG Yong, Deputy Mayor of Shangrao. Representatives from over dozens of cultural tourism enterprises and Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) such as China Tourism Group Corporation Limited, Trip.com Group, Little Red Book, Douyin (TikTok), tuniu.com, Qunar.com, and Meituan participated in the conference.

December 7, 2023 – The 2nd Belt and Road Forum for Laos-China Cooperation was held in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Themed "Laos-China Community of Shared Future: New Era, New Opportunities, New Paradigm", the forum was graced with a congratulatory message from Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Lao President. Key attendees included Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, Member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), H.E. Suanesavanh Vignaket, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Lao PDR, FU Hua, President of Xinhua News Agency, and WANG Chang, Charge d 'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Laos. WTA Chair ZHANG Xu was invited to the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech.

Beijing, December 7, 2023 – The World Tourism Alliance (WTA) Secretariat participated in the online conference titled "Promoting Cross-Border Tourism Development in SCO Countries", initiated by the Russia's "World Without Borders" Tourism Association, a member of the WTA Council.