2023-05-06
Moderator: ZHAO Ke, Director of WTA Liaison Office, Beijing
Panelists:
H.E. Mr. Martin MPANA, Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon to China
H.E. Mr. Hussam AL HUSSEINI, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to China
H.E. Mr. Bishnu Pukar SHRESTHA, Ambassador of Nepal to China
LAN Feng, Member of CPC Standing Committee, Director of the Department of Publicity, CPC Harbin Committee, China
Mongkon WIMONRAT, Assistant Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Sports,Thailand
Frank SCHMIEDEL, First Counselor, Trade Section, EU Delegation to China
Full text:
ZHAO Ke: The theme of the first session of today’s Xianghu Dialogue is “Promoting Collaborative Tourism Development amongst Countries and Regions.” It involves different areas and aspects. We will invite some panelists from the public sector to come on stage and share their views on tourism cooperation and collaboration.
H.E. Mr. Hussam AL HUSSEINI: When we speak of Chinese tourists, we need to cooperate more on what can be done to attract the Chinese tourists. Chinese tourists are now becoming one of the most attractive and most wanted tourists in the world. Not many countries are prepared and qualified to receive Chinese tourists in the sense of needs, in terms of interests, and so on.
What is needed in terms of cooperation is that maybe we could work together on how can we attract the Chinese to our countries like in my country, Jordan, for example. What is needed to make it attractive for the Chinese? What could be done to make them also comfortable when they come to Jordan as a tourist? I am speaking more about the language, for example, culture, needs and demands, and many other aspects of Chinese tourists. What is needed in our tourism sector is to have a sustainable approach to whatever we do in terms of cooperation.
And for that, we need these Chinese tourists when he travels to Jordan, that he will come back. If they don’t come back, somebody else on their recommendation will come back. And that’s why we need to have a very good experience for them in my country, Jordan.
And this is what I would really suggest that cooperation could be in the sense that let’s help us try to understand the mentality, the needs of Chinese tourists, and how we can meet their expectations so that they could have not only a pleasant vacation or tourism but also a successful one for the host country as well.
H.E. Mr. Bishnu Pukar SHRESTHA: Collaboration should be one of the major objectives of all kinds of activities for our progress and prosperity. So the word collaboration is not only used in terms of international exchange and communication but it is also considered a positive tool for tourism development. So, when we think about the old collaborations for the tourism industry and tourism development, we like to think in a concrete way, that the collaboration also includes planning, and implementing concrete actions, especially in challenging landscapes.
Collaboration in tourism development requires also a complex and stoniest organization, which works on diverse interests and goals for tourism.
Because there are a number of interests. Different countries have different kinds of interests. And when we talk about this collaboration, we like to bring all those interests together. If we became to collaborate on the diverse interest of different groups together, and if we became able to form some organization that carries this collaborative approach for the development of tourism, it will work.
Frank SCHMIEDEL: I have also seen that there is a list of 20 countries to which Chinese tourists can go. We would definitely appreciate it if this list could be extended to include all European member states. And I think that will also help to alleviate some of the capacity bottlenecks that the industry is currently experiencing. We in the EU have recently changed our opinion and now advice that pre-travel COVID tests are no longer required if you come from China. So, I think we have done our part here as well. And I mean, Europe has always been relatively open. And we welcome tourists both from China and the rest of the world. And we, are a popular destination. Our tourist numbers speak for themselves.
Our member states can best explain what they have to offer. And you have to be tourism professionals from Europe. And they can help you to see what’s the best offer for tourists in Europe. We must also insist that it has to be beneficial for both sides and also for the people back home and Europe. So, you can reach out to them and talk to them. That brings me also to the question of who is allowed to bring tourists outbound from China to Europe and elsewhere. Before COVID I remember it was always difficult to get a license for outbound tourism. There are some changes now in pilot projects. So, I think this is also something to be considered. Give our tourism operators a chance to bring tourists!
ZHAO Ke: The theme of this year’s Xianghu Dialogue is “Harmonious Symbiosis”. It’s a regret that in many cases the original Chinese meaning is lost in translation. The message we want to deliver is that we should draw on each other’s strengths, and work in synergy and harmony together to constantly drive human progress. Do you have a similar concept in your culture? Is “Harmonious Symbiosis” an important concept in your culture? Why does it matter to the tourism industry?
LAN Feng: Indeed, the concept of “Harmonious Symbiosis” is very important for tourism activities and an important value we are advocating. You asked what role governments and cities play in this process. I think their duty is to protect the interests of citizens, promote social and economic development and safeguard equity and justice. Of all these, the most important is to serve citizens. Therefore, I think in the process of tourism development, we should focus on meeting people’s aspirations for a better life, stimulating the growth of the tourism economy, promoting the employment of citizens and the growth of market entities, driving tourism prosperity, and facilitating cooperation among countries and regions.
We often say that tourism is a way for one person to enter another person’s life, to leave the city you are familiar with for a place you are strange with. It is a process of discovery and creation. You asked what kind of responsibilities and roles the government and cities should have. I think their primary role is to create the beauty of humanity so that more people around the world can experience different urban lifestyles and customs of different peoples.
As just mentioned, tourism is most dependent on the flow of space and people, and is an industry of gathering, so in this process, cities and government departments should undertake the task of creating a safe, comfortable, and suitable environment. I want to create a safe place for all and an urban culture that embraces diversity, equality, and mutual benefit, and I think Harbin’s urban culture is diverse and unique. The history of the city is more than a hundred years, and at the same time, the culture of the city is diverse. Hence we can provide tourists with an open, inclusive platform and space shared by both visitors and local residents, featuring cultural integration and co-construction.
ZHAO Ke: The tourists bring their culture with them to all corners of the world and make the world a smaller place. As China lifts entry/exit restrictions, Chinese tourists will once again return to the international tourism market and make outstanding contributions to the global tourism industry. Mr. Martin Mpana, is your country ready to welcome tourists from all over the world, especially from China?
H.E. Mr. Martin MPANA: Now, it is good to mention that Cameroon is known as an African miniature. In other words, miniature means that it`s all of Africa in one country.You can find all the ecosystems in Cameroon from the rainforest in the south to the borders of the Sahara Desert in the north. And you have all the ecosystem throughout. It’s a country rich in diversity, cultures, people, traditions, and religions, which means the theme of harmonious symbiosis is as well something we have to consider. It is not only meant for tourism. But it’s meant for politics. Our domestic policies should focus on or stress the harmonious living of people. And I like the way that in China as well, which I know quite a bit, people live in harmony, which is very important to say that.
Now, I would like to say that Cameroon and China have 52 years of diplomatic relationships. We have signed, for instance, in the tourism sector an air traffic agreement, which means Chinese operators could fly to Cameroon, but that agreement needs to be implemented. It means that we have to work on it to make it profitable for the tourism industry. We signed as well as MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). It was signed in 2011 to facilitate a group of tours for Chinese tourists to Cameroon.
So, Cameroon is one of the preferred destinations of Chinese tourists in Africa, which is important to recall. Because we can work together to improve that touristic industry.
ZHAO Ke: I cannot wait for the opportunity to visit your countries. As you said earlier, one can have a glimpse of entire Africa in Cameroon alone, and I very much look forward to witnessing that. Deputy Secretary-General Mongkon Wimonrat, Thailand is a very popular destination for Chinese tourists, and the number of tourists to Thailand has increased significantly. What efforts has Thailand made to welcome international visitors?
Mongkon WIMONRAT: To prepare, for the coming wave of international visits, Thailand has prepared operations now. Guidelines consist of 4 priorities.
First, upgrade development to simulate test facilities, such as the more efficient form of visa application. The improvement of the procedures at land borders starts as some as border checkpoints. The promotion of electronic transactions for the whole tourism business sector, tourism industry, and manpower.
Secondly, we ensure the safety and security of international tourists and boost the implementation of the latest measures such as hiring well-trained staff and providing safety guidelines. That’s the emergency response systems and improving cleanliness and hygiene standards. Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Public Health has initiated the amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration in the state.
We are evaluating the country’s tourism, and industry standards, and developing confidence among international and domestic tourists as well. We are improving tourism products. And we also stand with it.
In order to ensure tourists’ confidence and positive outlook on Thailand, we ensure the safety of tourists by tightening measures and improving the latest standards and regulations for promoting an eco-friendly system under the BCT and economy model to minimize any negative impact on the environment, culture, or local community.
By doing so, Thailand expects that we will give you high value in the tourism industry with these islands, sustainability, and inclusive growth in every dimension with this intention to support the recovery of the national tourism industry.
Thank you!