PATA’s third China Responsible Tourism Forum (CRTF) will take place in Sheraton Hotel Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan province on September 12, bearing the theme Beautiful China – A Responsible Visitor Economy.
Co-organised by the ASEAN-China Centre and the Jiuzhaigou National Park Administration, the event aims to raise awareness of responsible tourism concepts and showcase best practices to encourage tourism stakeholders to operate in and develop more sustainable processes.
While discussion topics and featured speakers have not been finalised, a statement from PATA said there were plans to adopt the Cape Town Declaration during this year’s gathering.
Kate Chang, PATA’s regional director – Greater China, expects the forum to attract 80 to 100 attendees, a smaller audience compared to the past two editions, as “Jiuzhaigou is a very small ecological place”.
The first CRFT in 2011 drew 120 people, 85 per cent of whom stayed for the full programme, noted Chang. “They found the topics practical and touched on grass-roots (issues),” she explained.
CRFT in 2012 was attended by 150 people, and the Young Tourism Professionals Challenge for students was introduced.
“We are glad to see that ecological progress has been given a more prominent position by the central government. The government has incorporated more responsible practices into the country’s overall development plan, particularly those that relate to economic, political, cultural and social progress. The China National Tourism Administration has also released a new logo and tagline, promoting ‘Beautiful China’,” said Chang.
“Given these developments, I think the forum is quite timely and provides a platform for the Chinese industry to share best practices with their overseas counterparts.”
A webpage dedicated to CRFT will soon be launched, allowing interested individuals to register for the forum.
“CRTF this year will be held right before PATA Travel Mart (in Chengdu), which will make it easier for mart attendees to add the forum to their agenda. Jiuzhaigou is a 40-minute flight from Chengdu, (presenting) an opportunity for anyone to explore the ecological valley and the Tibetan minority that still exists there,” she said.
