Media Information
World Tourism Forum Lucerne launches cooperation in China
The Switzerland-based World Tourism Forum Lucerne is to expand its international orientation at two key events in China in 2016 – the "World Tourism Development Convention" in Beijing in May followed by the "WTFL Innovation Day China" in September.
Lucerne, 08 October 2015 – Launched in Switzerland in 2009 and since staged every two years, the World Tourism Forum Lucerne has increasingly devoted its attention to international orientation. From 2016, the focus will be concentrated strongly on China.
Last month, talks have been taking place in Beijing between Martin Barth (General Manager of the World Tourism Forum Lucerne) and the Chinese Tourism Minister Li Jinzao. At the meeting the intention of working together very closely was confirmed officially. Martin Barth was also officially named a member of the Advisory Board of Reform & Development of the China Tourism Industry.
In a first phase of the planned long-term cooperation, the World Tourism Forum Lucerne has been invited to participate in the "World Tourism Development Convention", to be held in Beijing in May 2016. This global tourism platform is being organized by the Chinese government in cooperation with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The event will be attended by some 700 eminent international guests, including tourism ministers and officials from every continent. Thanks to the good international network of the World Tourism Forum Lucerne, top CEOs from business and industry will also be involved.
Minister Li Jinzao says: "With its international orientation and focus on priority topics, the World Tourism Forum Lucerne is on the right track. Talent management, innovation and sustainable development – these in particular are of paramount importance in our industry". And Martin Barth adds: "The Minister and I share a clear conviction that tourism is one of the branches most closely linked with other industries – and that it needs to be viewed in a wider context. Together we have come up with the concept of "Tourism+". The joint endeavours over the coming year will herald the start of a long and close cooperation, including the exchange of information and know-how and the regular joint staging of events at international level.
World Tourism Forum Lucerne
The Switzerland-based WTFL is an interdisciplinary professional platform which offers decision-makers in business, politics, science and finance an overview of current topics and trends in the global tourism industry. It is the only international platform enabling leading decision makers and emerging young talents in the industry to interact under the "Next Generation" designation. The World Tourism Forum Lucerne is supported by an international Advisory Board under the chairmanship of Reto Wittwer of Switzerland (former CEO Kempinski Hotels & Resorts). The 5th World Tourism Forum Lucerne will take place on 4 and 5 May 2017 in the KKL Luzern. Further information: www.wtflucerne.org