WTA Hosts Panel Discussion at the 14th China – U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit

Xi’an, May 22, 2024 – The 14th China – U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit, has officially commenced in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. Themed “Expanding China-U.S. Travel and Tourism and People-to-people Exchanges.”, this summit aims to enhance the tourism collaboration between the two nations. The summit saw the presence of notable figures such as SHEN Yiqin, Chinese State Councilor, who read a letter from President XI Jinping, and delivered a speech, and Grant T. Harris, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce, who read a letter from President Joe Biden and also addressed the attendees. The opening ceremony was presided over by SUN Yeli, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China.

SHEN Yiqin emphasized that President XI Jinping’s letter reflects a high level of attention to China – U.S. relations and expresses a keen expectation for deepening tourism cooperation. Hosting the China – U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit is a significant step in implementing the important consensus reached during the two presidents’ meeting in San Francisco, which will undoubtedly boost the recovery and development of China – U.S. tourism cooperation to new heights.

Grant T. Harris highlighted that increased travel and tourism between China and the U.S. will create more job opportunities, promote economic growth in both countries, and enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples. He noted that the U.S. has sent the highest-level and most comprehensive delegation to this summit, underscoring its importance.

The World Tourism Alliance, entrusted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, hosted a panel discussion. The seminar invited prominent figures such as Fred Dixon, President and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions, Julie Coker, President and CEO of San Diego Tourism Authority, Elliott Ferguson, President and CEO of Destination DC, Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, ZHOU Xiaoguang, President of China Odyssey Tours, and SUN Bowen, Executive Secretary-General of Trip.com Group Institute. They engaged in discussions on the theme “The Present and Future of China-U.S. Tourism”, exploring current market changes and future cooperation potential. The consensus among the participants was that this summit serves as a new starting point for Sino-American tourism development, with government authorities and industry leaders from both countries committed to advancing tourism cooperation and fostering people-to-people exchanges.

On May 21, during the summit, the World Tourism Alliance participated in a closed-door meeting organized by Brand USA. Attendees from both China and the U.S. exchanged in-depth views on new trends and situations in tourism supply and demand and proposed practical suggestions for cooperative development. Mr. LIU Shijun, WTA Vice Chair and Secretary-General, attended the meeting and moderated a panel discussion, calling on the tourism industries of both countries to build confidence, enhance communication, and deepen cooperation to achieve a win-win situation in their inbound tourism markets. Over 130 participants, including representatives from U.S. and Chinese online travel companies, social media platforms, and travel agencies, attended the closed-door meeting.

This summit is co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, the People’s Government of Shaanxi Provincial, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Brand USA. It is organized by the Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Government, and the Xi’an Municipal People’s Government, with support from the World Tourism Alliance and Beijing International Studies University. Nearly 400 representatives from government agencies, local authorities, and enterprises from both countries attended the summit.