2016 China International Travel Mart Kicks off
On November 11, the 2016 China International Travel Mart (CITM), jointly hosted by CNTA, Civil Aviation Administration of China and Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, opened at Shanghai New International Expo Center.
CNTA chairman Li Jinzao, Shanghai mayor Yang Xiong and Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, minister of tourism and sports of Thailand, the guest of honour of this year, attended and addressed the opening ceremony which was presided over by CNTA vice chairman Du Jiang.
“Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world,” said Li Jinzao, “and in China, the tourism industry has contributed to more than 10% of the economy and employment. In 2015, China invested RMB 1.2 trillion in tourism, up by 40%. In the first three quarters this year, China registered 3.36 billion domestic visitors, 194 million inbound and outbound visitors and RMB 2.9 trillion tourism income, up by 11%, 13.5% and 3.7%, respectively, from the same period last year. China has ranked the world’s biggest outbound travel consumer for four years in a row, contributing to more than 13% of global tourism revenue on average. China’s tourism development mode is undergoing historic changes. Following the five major development concepts of innovation, coordination, green development, opening and sharing, the Chinese tourism industry is seeking a new development mode and transitioning from scenic tourism to holistic tourism. On July 20 this year, President Xi acknowledged the value of holistic tourism and encouraged us to carry on during his visit to Ningxia. By holistic tourism we mean to systematically plan, build and develop tourism in a region by considering it as a whole, realize full coverage of public services for tourists and tourism regulation, engage the whole society and share the fruits with the society, and incorporate the tourism industry with the rest in a more coordinated, efficient and effective way. The transition from scenic tourism to holistic tourism reflects the change in the mindset and also in the development mode and path. It also means that we have a bigger picture and aim for higher quality. Holistic tourism will create vast development space for the Chinese tourism industry.”
He added, “Chinese tourism industry is always an active participant in, supporter of and contributor to the global tourism business. We’ve been active with tourism facilitation for win-win opening. Now China boasts 250 million inbound and outbound visitors per year, becoming an important impetus fueling the rapid development of global tourism. We’ve also been actively responding to the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi. It will bring golden opportunities to our tourism cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road. In recent years, we’ve co-hosted the first World Conference on Tourism for Development and the 7th G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting with the UNWTO; we’ve co-launched the tourism year program with Russia, the 16 Central and Eastern European countries, the Republic of Korea, India and the United States successively, establishing tourism partnerships that involve tourism authorities, local governments and tourism companies. Our tourism cooperation with the rest of the world has never been so deep or extensive or so beneficial to ordinary people around the globe. The development of the Chinese tourism industry would not be possible without the support of the rest of the world and we would like to continue our sincere partnership.”
According to mayor Yang Xiong, “In recent years, Shanghai has been vigorously developing the modern, international, ICT-enabled and quality tourism industry, and creating a free, convenient, safe and comfortable travel environment to welcome tourists from at home and abroad with an open mind and hospitality. The city will strive to become a tourist destination with global influence and reputation. To this end, we will continue to improve the city layout and functions, actively develop products appealing to international tourists, and blend the natural landscape with cultural heritage, traditional culture with modern civilization, to create a wonderful travel experience for people from around the world and cement the bonds among them. China International Travel Mart has for years played a key role in promoting global tourism cooperation and bridging the Chinese tourism industry and the rest of the world. As a co-organizer, Shanghai will work closely with CNTA and the Civil Aviation Administration to make the travel fair a great success.”
Mrs. Wattanavrangkul was honoured to represent Thailand, the guest of honour, at the CITM, and noted that the fair had served as a platform for countries concerned to strengthen tourism and people-to-people exchange and enhance friendship. The Thai delegation, consisting of 56 exhibitors with an exhibition area of 246 square meters, would display the rich and diverse cultural and tourism resources of their country. She also hoped that the fair would further the exchange and cooperation between Thailand and China and cement her country’s friendly ties with other participating countries.
Other guests to the opening ceremony included deputy mayor of Shanghai Zhao Wen, 21 dignitaries from Lithuania, Indonesia, Cambodia, Equatorial Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Italy, Russia, Sri Lanka, Cook Islands, South Pacific Tourism Organization, Pakistan, Denmark, Tunis, Malaysia, Kenya, Federated States of Micronesia, Spain and Kazakhstan, guests from mainland provinces, regions and municipalities, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, tour operators and exhibitors from at home and abroad, as well as reporters. Following the opening ceremony, the guests made a tour around the pavilion for the 2016 CITM.
It’s learnt that this year’s fair is more market-oriented, international and specialized than its predecessors. It provides 2,593 exhibition booths to exhibitors from 106 countries and regions, including 1,813 booths for domestic exhibitors, accounting for 70% of the total, and 780 for international exhibitors, 30% of the total. The 18-year-old CITM was first staged in 1998. Since 2001, the annual event has been hosted in Shanghai and Kunming on an alternate basis and has become Asia’s biggest travel fair and a tourism gala catching the world’s spotlight.
