The World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development, one of the four summit forums of the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), opened on Saturday with experts and representatives from across the world sharing experience, research results and diverse views on the issue of global tourism recovery amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Tourism is one of the worst-hit sectors by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. As World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates, the number of international tourists in 2020 is likely to decrease by 80 percent compared with last year, and the global tourism revenue might see a loss of over one trillion U.S. dollars.

At such a critical moment, the conference, hosted by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), aimed at providing strategic analyses and guidance for global urban tourism recovery in the post-pandemic era.

New research findings offer guidance for tourism rebound

Two new reports were released during the event, among which the action guide offers eight steps to help achieve a safer and quicker city tourism recovery against the impacts of the coronavirus.

Aside from the normalized and comprehensive epidemic prevention and control efforts, as well as an orderly resumption of tourism activities, the guide calls on governments worldwide to adopt more proactive and effective incentive policies, including tax reductions and exemptions, capital subsidies and financial support to help the local tourism industry weather the storm. It also advises encouraging tourism cities to set up special funds for tourism restoration and support tourism companies to expand the international tourism market. 

The report also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in coping with the public health crisis and a service platform for information sharing. Also, it advocates a greener and more sustainable tourism development in the long run.

Hope lies ahead

Chen Honghui, vice mayor of Wuhan, said during his speech that the city of Wuhan, the former epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, has witnessed its gradual tourism revitalization after the epidemic was brought under control. 

In the past month, the average number of daily tourists in the city's scenic spots has increased by 34 percent compared with the same period last year, driving the recovery and development of travel-related businesses and service industries. In August, the number of hotel stays in the city surged by 36 percent than the previous month, data from China's leading online travel agency Ctrip showed. 

The city of Wuhan has set a good example for world tourism recovery, Chen said.

Read more: Shadow of coronavirus slowly lifts from epicenter Wuhan

"Tourism is a comprehensive industry with strong resilience. Despite the tremendous loss caused by the epidemic, the basic motivation, market demand and service system of world tourism still exist," said Chen Dong, Secretary-General of WTCF, expressing optimism and confidence in the rapid recovery of global tourism after the epidemic.

The conference was held in Beijing's China National Convention Center with about 50 speakers and around 300 representatives attending the conference. Meanwhile, members of the WTCF from 75 countries and regions and other online users participated in the event via livestreaming. WTCF is the world's first international tourism organization focusing on cities.

(Cover image and infographic designed by Chen Yuyang)