Forum focuses on global tourism revival

Innovation and global collaboration are crucial to reviving and reshaping the travel and tourism industry in the post pandemic-era, government and industry leaders said on Wednesday.

Key speakers at the Global Tourism Economy Forum 2020 in Macao said that promoting safe, seamless and secure travel and restoring travelers' confidence will be the key to rebuilding an industry hit hard by widespread border closures amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Global Tourism Economy Forum Chairman Ho Hau-wah, who also is vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said the "sudden and unexpected "COVID-19 outbreak has brought huge global challenges, but the destiny of all human beings is "closely connected".

As such, everyone must strengthen cooperation and coordination, face threats and challenges with collective efforts, and "make new advances amid changes", Ho said.

Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization, said all stakeholders need to "work smarter and not only just harder", adding that international collaboration should also be complemented by the use of technology and innovation.

"New technology can accelerate the return of safe and seamless travel…(and) enhance travel confidence. Innovation can also ensure that the benefits that tourism offers are felt more widely and fairly, Pololikashvili said in his keynote address.

Hu Heping, Chinese minister of culture and tourism and the GTEF's honorary chairman, said the world should deepen cooperation in international tourism while adhering to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

China is "willing to enhance communication and cooperation with tourism departments and organizations of different countries, in order to create opportunities in openness, tackle challenges through cooperation, and contribute more to the high-quality development of the international tourism industry," Hu said.

Gao Yunlong, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, said players in the travel and tourism industry need to adopt "digitally driven, internet-based and smart growth" to transform the industry.

Gao, who also serves as chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and is honorary chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Forum, said that in China, the tourism industry has shown "strong willingness and capability in innovation".

According to a joint report by the World Tourism Organization and the Macao-based Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, in the first six months of 2020 alone, international tourist arrivals fell by 440 million, which translated into a loss of around $460 billion in revenues.

Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia's minister of tourism, noted how the decline in tourist arrivals has dented the global economy and resulted in the layoffs of millions of workers.

He said the tourism industry is a "unique driver of economic and social value". Citing data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, Al-Khateeb said the industry contributes 10 percent to the global economy and employs more than 300 million people worldwide.

Gloria Guevara, the World Travel and Tourism Council's president and CEO, as well as honorary GTEF chairman, said recovering those lost jobs will entail coordinated testing programs and protocols at departure points to encourage people to travel again.

Dowson Tong, senior executive vice-president of Chinese technology giant Tencent, said people are "most innovative when facing tough challenges".

In his special presentation on how to leverage digital technology to enhance the travel experience, Tong said businesses need to adapt to changing consumer behavior.

"A new normal will arise after the pandemic because travelers will think differently and behave differently," he said.

Among the panel discussions, some of which were online and some offline, a special session of the China Daily Asian Leadership Roundtable, featuring six speakers and chaired by Pansy Ho, vice-chair and secretary-general of the GETF, explored solidarity in reshaping the tourism economy.

Contact the writers at prime@chinadailyapac.com