2023.02.24
On February 23, the World Tourism Alliance convened the Second General Assembly and the First Session of its Second Council in Hangzhou, China. The General Assembly attracted more than 300 participants, including representatives of WTA members, distinguished guests, and journalists.
The first session of the second General Assembly was chaired by Duan Qiang, chairman of the first WTA Council. It adopted the agenda of the conference and elected members of the second Council, before entering the adjournment phase.
During the adjournment, the first session of the Second WTA Council was held and elected the new leadership of the Alliance: Zhang Xu, former Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism, as Chairman of the Second Council; Adam Burke, President and CEO of Los Angeles Convention and Tourism Board, Henri Giscard d’Estaing, Global President of Club Med in France, Pansy Ho, Chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Global Tourism Economy Forum, Eduardo Santander, Executive Director of the European Travel Commission, and Xu Peng, Deputy Director and Level I Bureau Rank Official of Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, as Vice Chairmen; Liu Shijun, Secretary-General of the First Council as Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Alliance. In addition, the Council considered and approved the nominations for Deputy Secretary-General, the Report on the Work Done Since the Establishment of the Alliance and the Work Plan for the Next Four Years, the Financial Audit Report of the Alliance Since its Establishment and the Draft Budget for 2023, etc. The resolution of the meeting was signed and adopted by representatives of participating members.
The second session of the second General Assembly was chaired by Zhang Xu, the newly-elected Chairman of the Alliance. It formally introduced the new WTA leadership to the audience, briefed them on the resolution adopted at the first session of the Second Council, considered and approved the proposal for the collection of membership fees, the progress and achievements of Xianghu Dialogue and the inauguration of the headquarters building. Last but not least, the resolution of the Second General Assembly was adopted by vote.
The World Tourism Alliance (WTA) is a global, comprehensive, non-governmental, non-profit international tourism organization initiated by China, founded in September 2017. Since its establishment, dedicated to “Better Tourism, Better Life, Better World” and the mission of promoting poverty reduction, development and peace through tourism, the Alliance has actively promoted the connectivity, joint governance of global tourism industry for shared benefits, and contributed to the sustainable and inclusive development of global tourism industry. The Alliance has 228 members from 42 countries and regions (including 106 domestic members, 122 overseas members). Over the past five years, it has actively engaged in international exchanges and cooperation, launched brand dialogue events, and promoted poverty alleviation and rural revitalization through tourism. It also rallies parties concerned to conduct research on the tourism industry, and strives to build a platform for dialogue, exchange and cooperation, and for sharing practical and useful information, a media platform for resource sharing, and a communication platform for integrated development.
In the future, with the participation and support of members and other stakeholders, the Alliance will continue to forge ahead to become bigger and stronger and make greater contributions to the revitalization and prosperity of global tourism industry.