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Chairman of China UnionPay, Ge Huayong: Payment service provides fundamental support for the sustainable development of tourism
2017-09-13


Chairman of China UnionPay, Ge Huayong makes a keynote speech at the 22nd General Assembly Session of UNWTO

On September 13, Chairman of China UnionPay, Ge Huayong, attended the 22nd General Assembly Session of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Chengdu, and delivered a keynote speech entitled Laying a Solid Foundation for Sustainable Development of Tourism, highlighting the crucial role that secure and convenient payment services play in supporting the sustainable development of tourism. The UNWTO General Assembly is the highest-standard conference in the world’s tourism, and ministers and officials from over 120 countries and regions as well as more than 1,200 representatives attended this conference.

2017 is decided by the United Nations as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. In this February, Ge Huayong is named by UNWTO Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. Being the only Special Ambassador from China, Ge Huayong will advocate the contribution tourism makes to economic and social development, engage in and promote the communication and cooperation in tourism-related industries, and provide UNWTO with professional and prospective suggestions to enhance tourist services.

At the conference, Ge Huayong explained how to drive the sustainable development of the world’s tourism from three aspects. First, stable, balanced and sustainable development of the global economy is the foundation for the sustainable development of tourism. Second, enhanced environmental protection as well as harmony between human and nature is a hallmark of sustainable tourism. Third, the popularization and application of safe and convenient payment service is the foundation for sustainable tourism. 

As stressed by Ge Huayong, tourism is inter-connected with industries of catering, accommodation, transport, travel, shopping and entertainment. And payment service is crucial to all these industries. As a result, efficient and convenient payment service provides solid support for the sustainable development of tourism. At present, online and mobile payment is booming, affecting all aspects of people’s daily life. These secure and convenient innovative payment modes further facilitate people’s traveling and spending, while improving people’s traveling experiences.

China has been the world’s largest tourist source for several years, and is an increasingly popular destination among global tourists. As one of the world’s largest payment brand, UnionPay is present in 162 countries and regions, accepted at 42 million merchants and 2.4 million ATMs. In recent years, UnionPay has spared no efforts in reaching cross-over collaboration with the tourist industry, promoting the integrated development between tourism and the payment industry. Since inking a MOU for strategic cooperation with UNWTO in 2014, UnionPay has maintained close relationship with the Organization, making contribution to tourism development.

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