WTA Unveils Research Findings on Global Tourism Trends

November 15, 2023 – In a significant move, the World Tourism Alliance (WTA), in conjunction with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), has released a pivotal document titled “Tourism: A Driver for Shared Prosperity – Key Insights” during the 2023 WTA • Xianghu Dialogue. This release, in partnership with the International Poverty Reduction Center in China, also includes the “2023 WTA Best Practices of Rural Revitalization Through Tourism”.

The “Key Insights” document meticulously analyzes 12 cases of shared prosperity from China and other countries worldwide. It closely aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on “Good Health and Well-Being”, “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”, and “Reduced Inequalities”. The study explores how tourism can be a catalyst for poverty alleviation, rural revitalization, and overall shared prosperity. Building on these insights, the WTA and UNWTO plan to release a comprehensive report titled “Tourism: A Driver for Shared Prosperity” early next year, offering detailed recommendations for fostering shared prosperity and achieving sustainable development goals.

Supported by various provincial-level cultural and tourism authorities in China, WTA members, and the International Poverty Reduction Center in China, the WTA has selected 50 typical cases that exemplify sustainable, replicable, quantifiable, innovative, and comprehensive approaches with positive social impacts. These cases, compiled in the “2023 WTA Best Practices of Rural Revitalization Through Tourism”, demonstrate the achievements in new rural construction, showcasing the evolving landscape of rural tourism. They convey the concept of sustainable development and foster exchange and mutual learning in this field globally, contributing valuable experience to tourism-driven poverty alleviation and rural development.

Since its inception, the WTA has consistently prioritized “Promoting Tourism Poverty Alleviation” as one of its key missions. It has actively advocated for the concept of tourism-driven poverty alleviation, researching real-life examples, summarizing experiences, and exploring effective models. From 2018 to 2022, the WTA has annually selected and published exemplary poverty alleviation cases worldwide, accumulating a total of 100 “WTA Best Practice in Poverty Alleviation Through Tourism” and 100 “WTA Best Practices of Rural Revitalization Through Tourism” cases to date.