China National Tourism Administration

July 02, 2015 

PRESS RELEASE

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, at the invitation of King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga, Li Jinzao, Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration will attend the coronation ceremony of King Tupou VI as the special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping from July 3 to 4.

In recent years, with the growth of Chinese economy, the development of China’s tourism industry has made great achievements. In 2014, the domestic travels amounted to 3.6 billion and the outbound tourist visits surpassed the 100 million threshold for the first time, while the outbound tourism consumption totaled US$165 billion, up by 28% over the previous year. The designation of the Chairman of CNTA to visit the Kingdom of Tonga as the special envoy of President Xi Jinping demonstrates the Chinese government’s great attention to tourism industry and full affirmation of its influence.

It is also understood that in order to promote the tourism cooperation with the South Pacific countries including Tonga, the CNTA will organize about 100 Chinese tour operators to visit Tonga in the near future and about 1000 Chinese tourists to travel to Tonga later this year.

PR No.: 15041

Jointly organized by UNWTO, the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the People's Government of the Shaanxi Province, the 7th International Meeting on Silk Road Tourism held in the ancient Silk Road capital of Xi’an addressed key topics such as capacity building, marketing and promotion, heritage management and travel facilitation as a means to building an integrated tourism market along the land and maritime Silk Roads.

“Closer tourism cooperation is of great significance to the economic and social development of the countries along the Silk Road as well as to peace and stability in the region,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, while highlighting the way forward on the promotion of the Silk Road Tourism.

“It is now 21 years since 19 countries gathered in Uzbekistan and adopted the Samarkand Declaration on Silk Road Tourism, which called for ‘a peaceful and fruitful rebirth of these legendary routes. We have come a long way over the years, yet we still need to address a number of challenges that continue to hamper a stronger tourism growth on the Silk Road namely visa facilitation, and connectivity” he added.

“Tourism is a window for opening-up an engine of development and a bond of peace,” said Li Jinzao, Chairman of China National Tourism Administration. “Let’s work together to champion the spirit of the Silk Road in this new era and create a bright future. The number of exchanges between China and other Silk Road countries has already exceeded 30 million” he added.

Tourism ministers and representatives participating in the meeting agreed to improve travel facilitation, conduct joint marketing activities, including a ‘Visit the Silk Road’ programme, deepen regional cooperation, expand the supply of tourism products by developing tourism routes and strengthen cooperation among tourism colleges and research institutions.

Participating in the meeting were Tourism Ministers and Tourism Board representatives from more than thirty countries, as well as representatives from UNESCO, BBC Worldwide, University College London, TripAdvisor, Ctrip, Hainan Airlines, Finnair and the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance.

On the occasion, the 1st Tourism Ministerial Meeting of Countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt, hosted by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) in collaboration with UNWTO, gathered the Ministers and Vice Ministers of Tourism of nearly 20 countries to discuss opportunities for tourism development along the Silk Road Economic Belt. The Meeting approved the Xi’an Initiative, a document setting the path for stronger tourism development in the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

Useful links:

7th UNWTO International Meeting on Silk Road Tourism and 1st Tourism Ministerial Meeting on the Silk Road Economic Belt
UNWTO Silk Road Programme

Contacts:

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 

Nepal Tourism Board

June 05, 2015 

PRESS RELEASE

On 25th April 2015 an earthquake struck the central region of Nepal in the Gorkha district just north of the main highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara.  The earthquake was followed by a number of severe aftershocks  and as a result, there were more than 8000 people found dead,  thousands more injured and it destroyed houses, trekking trails and monuments including centuries-old palaces and temples listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Despite damage to some of its historical and cultural monuments and trekking trails, Nepal is  now ready to welcome tourists. Some of the monuments in the  heritage sites will be reopen for tourists from June 15, 2015. Roads and air transport links remain intact across the country; the majority of hotels and restaurants are in operation.  Most trekking areas except Manaslu and Langtang have  not been damaged by the Earthquake and trekking can be undertaken any time in these areas.  Chitwan, Pokhara, Annapurna region and Bardia also escaped widespread damage, and are thus ready to showcase their abundance of natural life.  The birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini, did not suffer damage and is thankfully all set to welcome visitors back to its sacred soil.

There are many beautiful and captivating cultural and natural sites in the West, Mid-West, Far West and East Nepal  that await tourists to welcome there.  Out of 75 districts of Nepal, only 14 districts are damaged. Apart from Langtang, Manaslu and Gaurishankar,  other  14 national parks and conservation areas including Everest, Annapurna, Kanchanjunga areas withsood the earthquake with strength and power.

The Government of Nepal request international travelers to visit the magnificent and bustling country of Nepal, and support her by visiting it as she attempts to stand proudly on her feet once again. Walk the beautiful trails in the shadow of the most magnificent mountains on earth as you help the Nepalese people reset their course on the path to prosperity.  Nepal is now embarking upon the most fascinating period in all of its ancient history, and you could be right there to see it happen and your contribution will be a part of rebuilding new Nepal.

Tourism is one of the mainstays of the Nepalese economy, and Nepal will certainly need the income that tourism brings in as it attempts to recover from this disaster. 

PR No.: PR

“I would like to convey to the families and friends of the victims, to the people and the government of Nepal, our heartfelt condolences and solidarity in this tragic moment.” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

“Nepal is one of the world’s tourism success stories and UNWTO will work alongside the Nepalese people and authorities to ensure that tourism continues to be a pillar of the country’s socio-economic progress,” he added.