2018.09.12
Tourism has grown into one of the most robust and largest sectors in the world. Its low employment threshold and broad industrial links contribute to its vital role as an economic engine for poverty alleviation.
Poverty reduction is front and center of WTA’s mission; it is also the overarching theme of the Xianghu Dialogue on Sept. 9. Quite fittingly, the World Tourism Alliance (WTA) and the China Tourism Academy (CTA) jointly released a report titled Tourism for Poverty Reduction: Global Process and Call of the Times at this one-day forum.
The growing number of global tourists and tourism revenue are among the key points in this report.
Statistics from the World Organization reveal that the total number of tourists worldwide reached 1.2 billion in 2017, an increase of 7% over the previous year. International tourism revenue totaled US$ 1.33 trillion, a 5% year-on-year increase, representing growth for eight consecutive years.
In 2017, the number of tourist visits worldwide reached 11.9 billion while the total tourism revenue exceeded US$ 5 trillion, a 6.8% and 4.3% year-on-year respective increase, according to a 2018 Report on World Tourism Economy Trends published by the World Tourism Cities Federation in conjunction with the Tourism Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The main body of the WTA-CTA Poverty Reduction report is divided into five parts:
New Era — a bright future for tourism development and humankind.
New Role — from the sideline to the center in the fight for poverty alleviation.
New Achievement — the elevation of tourism from a supporting role to a key engine in the economic and social development system of poverty-stricken areas.
New Driving Force — the shift of the impact of tourism on poverty reduction, a strategic move from the traditional model based on natural sceneries, historical and cultural heritage to science and technology, innovation and creation, talent and investment for economic improvement that inevitably leads to a better life.
New Goal — the fight against poverty continues and the journey goes on.
The report features two annexes: (a) Tourism for Poverty Reduction—China’s Actions, and (b) International Cases and Experiences of Tourism for Poverty Reduction.
The Tourism for Poverty Reduction: Global Process and Call of the Times is the first global report of its kind by a non-government, nonprofit international organization.
The World Tourism Alliance believes in the importance and value of cooperation among international communities to improve the lives of many throughout the world. An effective communication platform for the government, industry, associations, enterprises and stakeholders, it is committed to strengthening the global tourism governance system and promote the sustainable development of the global tourism industry.