Together with Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and supported by the Marketing & International Cooperation Department of the China National Tourism Administration, ASEAN-China Centre(ACC) hosted the “2rd China Responsible Tourism & ASEAN-China Tourism Development Forum” in Shanghai on November 16. 

Mr. Ma Mingqiang, Secretary-General of ACC delivered a welcome speech to the forum. Mr. Ma indicated that, an international organization jointly established by Chinese government and 10 governments of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myamar, Laos, Philipines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, ACC is committed to facilitate the co-operations among China and ASEAN Member States in the fields of trade, investment, tourism, culture and education. 

Mr. Ma said, abundant in natural and cultural tourism resources, both China and ASEAN Member States attach high importance to tourism industry. The 11 countries forms a huge travel market place, attracting millions of travelers all over the world. The United Nations World Tourism Organization forecasted that by the year 2015, China would receive up to 150 million tourist arrivals, while generating 88 millions outbound visitations. On a setting of such a big travel volume, both China and ASEAN Member States are facing a common challenge of how to protect their individual eco system and tourism resources. 

As an inter-governmental organization, ACC is determined to promote the co-operation and sustainable development of tourism through increasing the flow of people by communicating the diversified tourism resources of China and ASEAN Member States to the public. To realize a balanced and sustainable way of economic and tourism development, we are responsible to call on the government, the private sector and individuals to take actions together to work out the responsible tourism through protecting the eco system of travel destination, and respecting the uniqueness of local custom and culture, while promoting the tourist resources of China and ASEAN Member States.

Themed as “sustainable innovation, sustainable travel, sustainable business model”, the forum draws involvement of 150 participants from government, tour operator, trade association, hotel, high tech company and high education institutions. The participants shared the most up-to-date trade information and best practices, and further exchanged views on the current challenges and opportunities in future.