PATA China Responsible Tourism Forum To Be Held Annually

A series of case studies, presented at the first China Responsible Tourism Forum (CRTF) in Beijing on December 16, confirmed that responsible tourism is firmly on the agenda among small- and medium-sized enterprises in China.

The sold-out forum, organized by PATA in cooperation with the Organizing Committee of the China International Heritage Towns Exposition, was moderated by CCTV Business News anchor, Deidre Morris Wang. Coinciding with the launch of the new PATA China Board, the PATA China Beijing Chapter, and first PATA Student Chapter in China at Beijing International Studies University, the forum brought together more than 130 delegates from the country’s public and private sectors, as well as national and international experts in the field of responsible tourism.

Responsible tourism-thought leaders such as Professor Zhang Guangrui of the Chinese Academy of Social Science, Dr. Chen Xu of the China Tourism Academy, Professor Geoffrey Lipman of Greenearth.travel, Anna Pollock of DestiCorp, Peter Semone of Lanith in Lao, Mason Florence of Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, and UNESCO Beijing Office Director Beatrice Kaldun, all provided pertinent insights.

The aim of this first forum, which will become an annual event, was to stimulate debate between the tourism industry and government on the critical issue of responsible tourism.

"Our long-term goal," said Kate Chang, Director of PATA's China office, "is to help protect the heritage and culture of ancient towns and villages in China, at the same time, carefully developing them to boost tourism and generate economic growth and employment for local communities."

Over the course of the coming year, building on the results of the first China Responsible Tourism Forum, PATA and the new PATA China Chapter, will focus on improving and increasing communication about the importance of responsible tourism for China’s heritage towns and villages. PATA and its partners will take advantage of the many new channels available, such as the Internet and social media.

A full report of the first China Responsible Tourism forum will be posted in the next few weeks on www.patachina.org, together with the case study presentations.

The second China Responsible Tourism Forum will be held in April 2012 and will introduce the Annual China Responsible Tourism Awards.

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