2023.07.05
In the diplomatic sphere of the WTA•Dialogue for China-Spain Tourism Cooperation, a significant international forum hosted in Madrid, the Chairman of the World Tourism Alliance (WTA), Mr. ZHANG Xu, paid a formal visit to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) headquarters on July 3 for a meeting with the UNWTO Executive Director, Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic.
Urosevic welcomed the delegation on behalf of the UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, who was on an overseas assignment. She congratulated ZHANG Xu on his election as the WTA Chairman and the successful establishment of the WTA headquarters in Hangzhou. In addition, she expressed her anticipation for the successful conclusion of the WTA•Dialogue for China-Spain Tourism Cooperation. Ms. Urosevic expressed recognition for the establishment of the WTA as a non-governmental international tourism organization, initiated by China. This entity, she stressed, embodies a unique enrichment and enhancement of the global tourism industry’s sharing and governance framework. The development illuminates China’s prominent role in the Asia-Pacific region and the broader global tourism landscape. She confirmed the UNWTO’s intention to deepen its collaboration with the WTA in the areas of industry research, educational initiatives, and professional training. Additionally, Ms. Urosevic graciously invited Mr. ZHANG Xu to attend the World Tourism Economy Forum scheduled in Macau, China, and other important UNWTO activities planned for later in the year.
During the meeting, ZHANG Xu and Urosevic reviewed the grandeur of the WTA’s headquarters inauguration and “Xianghu Dialogue” attended by Secretary-General Zurab in February. On behalf of the WTA, Zhang thanked UNWTO for their support over the years. He shared details about the WTA delegation’s visit to Spain and their collaboration with the Spanish Tourism Authority for the China-Spain Cultural and Tourism Year 2023. In response to UNWTO’s cooperation proposal, Zhang highlighted that one of the WTA’s key focus areas in 2023 is to conduct research on promoting shared prosperity in tourism in collaboration with UNWTO. Multiple rounds of communication regarding the proposed cooperative research agreement have been conducted, reaching a consensus on the agreement’s text, research framework, and schedule. Mr. ZHANG invited Ms. Urosevic to visit China and partake in the forthcoming World Tourism Alliance • Xianghu Dialogue projected for the fourth quarter of 2023.
The World Tourism Alliance was officially inaugurated in Chengdu, China, in September 2017 during the 22nd UNWTO General Assembly. This historical moment has been witnessed by a galaxy of industry leaders from over 137 countries and regions. Since 2019, the UNWTO, as a partner of the “Xianghu Dialogue” brand, has provided crucial support to the WTA during its formative stages of growth. The visit of UNWTO Secretary-General Mr. Zurab to China from February 22-25, 2023, where he attended the World Tourism Alliance • Xianghu Dialogue and the WTA headquarters’ inauguration, marked the first visit of an international organization leader to China since the country released measures to optimize COVID-19 response.
Present at the meeting were WTA Vice Chair and Secretary-General LIU Shijun, Cultural Counselor to the Chinese Embassy in Spain HE Yong, CEO of Ctrip Group SUN Jie, UNWTO’s Director of External Relations Beka Jakeli, UNWTO’s Director of Market Intelligence and Competitiveness Sandra Carvao, and Manager of UNWTO’s Technical Cooperation and Silk Road Department Marcel Leijzer.