Tourism dialogue brings Silk Road cities to Istanbul

The International Tourism Alliance of Silk Road Cities convened the 2026 "Silk Road Dialogue" and annual conference from Tuesday to Thursday in Istanbul.

This year marks the alliance's third anniversary, with Istanbul becoming the first non-Chinese city to hold the rotating presidency. The alliance secretariat—the China Center of International Cultural Exchange and Tourism Promotion and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality co-hosted the event.

Wei Xiaodong, Chinese consul general in Istanbul; Zhang Weiguo, director of the China Center of International Cultural Exchange and Tourism Promotion; and Nuri Aslan, acting mayor of Istanbul addressed the event. More than 500 participants took part, including representatives of member cities, officials from international tourism organizations, political figures from multiple countries, tourism industry associations and enterprises, experts and scholars.

On behalf of the alliance secretariat, Zhang Weiguo presented three cooperation initiatives. First, strengthen policy dialogue and build cooperation mechanisms to facilitate tourism. Second, deepen industry dialogue and share development opportunities, focusing on smart culture and tourism to create transnational routes. Third, foster people-to-people connectivity by promoting exchanges among artists, youth and the media.

Mayors, culture and tourism officials, university scholars and corporate representatives from countries including China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Türkiye and the UK discussed the role of local governments in destination management, sustainable tourism, the impact of gastronomy on urban tourism, and the influence of innovative technologies and artificial intelligence on destination management.

The event included a joint promotion and industry exchange session, where alliance and member city booths highlighted cultural and tourism resources, intangible heritage and tourism products. Travel professionals from around the world explored opportunities for cross-border cooperation.

Participants said that since its establishment, the alliance has upheld the Silk Road spirit of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. By relying on cities as key actors and opening channels among governments, industry associations, enterprises, and international organizations, it has made important contributions to mutual tourist flows, joint route development, co-branding, and experience sharing among member cities.

In the past year, the alliance added five new members — North Dhaka (Bangladesh), Beijing (China), Harar (Ethiopia), Arkhangai (Mongolia) and Abuja (Nigeria) — bringing total membership to 89 cities in 38 countries.

The alliance secretariat pledged to continue building a regular international dialogue platform, revitalize Silk Road heritage, promote sustainable tourism and smart culture-and-tourism innovation, enhance mutual understanding among peoples, and inject sustained people-to-people momentum into high-quality cultural and tourism development under the Belt and Road Initiative.