WTA Attends PATA Annual Summit 2024

Macao, May 15-17, 2024 – The PATA Annual Summit 2024, hosted by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and co-hosted by SJM Resorts, S.A., was successfully held in Macao, China. Mr. LIU Shijun, the World Tourism Alliance (WTA) Vice Chair and Secretary-General, was invited to participate in a panel discussion during the summit.

During the panel discussion themed “Where are we heading?”, Mr. LIU Shijun shared his perspectives on the evolving landscape of global tourism, noting that the industry is transitioning from recovery to a new phase of development. On the supply side, there is a new development pattern emerging, characterized by the integration of culture and tourism. The concepts of “Culture + Tourism” and “Tourism + Culture” are driving the innovation and upgrade of tourism products. On the demand side, tourists are increasingly seeking emotional connections with destinations and personal fulfillment experiences. In the Q&A session, Mr. LIU addressed concerns about how the WTA is contributing to the recovery of global tourism. He emphasized that confidence, cooperation, win-win, and promoting a better life are the main themes for the future development of the tourism industry. The WTA aims to serve as a bridge connecting Chinese tourism with the global tourism market, fostering platforms for exchange and cooperation, and supporting sustainable and high-quality development of global tourism.

The summit, themed “Reimagining Tourism”, featured more than 20 specialized dialogues and forums, including the PATA Youth Symposium 2024. It brought together over 400 industry representatives from approximately 30 countries and regions.