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Tourism for development in China
First World Conference on Tourism for Development: Premier Li of China calls for higher financing for development in tourism
The role of tourism in fighting poverty and building peace were the key focus of the Conference on Tourism for Development.
Premier Li Keqiang underlined the role of tourism in lifting people out of poverty and the importance of stepping up international cooperation in tourism.
The event, organized by UNWTO and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, gathered in Beijing 1000 participants from over 100 countries.
Premier Li Keqiang emphasized tourism’s capacity to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and foster inclusive development. "The global economy is lacking in growing momentum and needs a new driving force. As one of the fastest-growing and most resilient industrial sectors, tourism plays an important role in boosting world economic recovery" he said. During the occasion, China announced the launch of an international tourism cooperation plan.
UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai said: "There can be no development without peace and no peace without development".
Ban Ki Moon sent a message to say: "When tourism is well-managed, it has tremendous capacity to create decent jobs, provide opportunities for inclusion and education, and contribute to preserving cultural heritage and the environment."
The conference included three main panel sessions dedicated to the contribution of tourism to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to poverty alleviation and to peace.
Valere Tjolle
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