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WTA Chair Mr. ZHANG Xu Attends Gala Dinner for Europe-China Tourism Dialogue

2024.07.04

Budapest, July 3 – The “Europe-China Tourism Dialogue” Gala Dinner was held at the Hungarian Parliament Building on the evening of July 3. Distinguished guests, including Mr. ZHANG Xu, Chair of the World Tourism Alliance (WTA), and Mr. NAGY Márton, Minister of National Economy of Hungary, attended and delivered toasts.

Mr. ZHANG Xu, Chair of the World Tourism Alliance (WTA)

Mr. ZHANG Xu warmly welcomed all attendees and expressed heartfelt thanks to the Ministry for National Economy of Hungary, the Ministry for EU Affairs of Hungary, the Hungarian Tourism Agency, and the European Travel Commission (ETC) for their meticulous arrangements for the dialogue. He highlighted the significance of 2024 as the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary, noting the historic state visit by President XI Jinping to Hungary in early May, which elevated China-Hungary relations to a new era of comprehensive strategic partnership. Leaders from both nations agreed to continue enhancing cultural exchanges, fostering mutual understanding, and deepening people-to-people connections. Mr. ZHANG also noted that China and the European Union (EU) have maintained a comprehensive strategic partnership for over two decades. As major markets and influential players on the international stage, China and the EU uphold the principles of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, continuously strengthening their collaborative relationship. This has led to extensive exchanges across various fields, particularly in culture and tourism, creating a rich and diverse landscape of interactions. The WTA sincerely hopes to work alongside global tourism partners to further explore the potential of tourism in connecting the world, driving innovation, and enhancing quality, thereby expanding the scope of global tourism development.

Mr. NAGY Márton, Minister of National Economy of Hungary

Mr. NAGY Márton underscored the pivotal role of tourism in the EU’s economic landscape, highlighting its significant contribution to economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange. He noted the resilience of the global tourism industry in 2023, which demonstrated its robust vitality and recovery potential. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of China-Hungary diplomatic relations, the increase in direct flights between the two countries symbolizes this historic milestone and serves as a crucial bridge for bilateral tourism cooperation and cultural exchange. As Hungary assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, it will continue to promote policy coordination and innovation in tourism, actively integrate and share EU tourism resources, and strengthen international cooperation, including with China, to inject new dynamism into the prosperity of EU tourism.

WTA Chair Mr. ZHANG Xu Attends Gala Dinner for Europe-China Tourism Dialogue

The dinner featured captivating cultural and artistic performances by Hungarian artists. High-level representatives from tourism departments, international organizations, diplomatic missions from 29 countries and regions, and renowned figures from the tourism industry attended the event.