Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I'm honored to attend this meeting and meet with you in the beautiful, world-famous tourist city of Chengdu. Tourism is an industry highly reliant on the environment. The development of tourism can be affected by many factors ranging from international relations, regional situations, political conflicts, natural disasters to economic fluctuations, ecological changes and infrastructure. Now, I would like share with you my personal views on how to promote sustainable development of the global tourism.

After UNWTO’s establishment nearly half a century ago, peace and development has become the theme of the era and economic globalization has moved ahead, with several large economies joining the WTO in the 21st century. The rapidly growing global economy and increasing exchanges in international trade, economy and culture have brought about a boom in global tourism. It is estimated that in 2016 the global tourism industry generates $7.6 trillion output, registering an increase of 3.3% and contributing 10.2% to the global economy. Tourism growth has also promoted economic development and prosperity. In many countries and regions, tourism has become a pillar industry for economic development.

However, the global economic growth is still facing uncertainties. Economic growth is unbalanced across regions, with a large number of low-income countries mired in low growth. This has restricted their national purchasing power and hampered sustainable development of the tourism industry. Sustainable economic development is the fundamental guarantee for the sustainable development of tourism. In order to promote the sustainable development of the tourism industry, we need to strive to ensure stable, balanced and sustainable development of the global economy.

With low resource intensity and less environment impact, tourism is a green and low-carbon industry that helps achieve harmony between human and nature. As a result, countries are paying more and more attention to the development of tourism resources. However, in recent years, some countries over-exploit tourism resources without giving sufficient attention to ecological protection, thus undermining sustainable tourism. For example, the over-development of forests, islands, and wetlands have destroyed wildlife habitats. Improper development of historical, cultural, architecture, artistic heritages or ruins could cause damage and loss of cultural relics. 

Nonetheless, we are pleased to see that more countries and nonprofit organizations start to promote sound and phased development of tourism resources and better protect the ecology. They have created harmony between human and nature, achieved balance between development and protection and promoted the sustainable development of tourism.

Harmony between human and nature is an important hallmark of sustainable tourism. All stakeholders should explore the sound relationship of harmony between human and nature in tourism development and protection.

Development of tourism depends on both hardware and software development, such as transport, communications, catering, accommodation, language communication and health care. The tourism industry is inter-connected with these segments that need payment services for normal functioning. Safe and convenient payment service is the foundation for sustainable development of the tourism industry. From a global perspective, infrastructure for electronic payment is still lagging behind. More than 12 billion payment cards have been issued worldwide, but the majority of the cardholders are from East Asia, Western Europe, North America and other areas with high electronic payment penetration. In some countries and regions, cash, the most traditional way of payment, is still widely used. Electronic payment infrastructure, represented by bankcard payment, is still underdeveloped. As a result, cross-border tourists have to pay cash, which causes inconvenience and potential cash loss or theft. Efficient and convenient payment service is therefore an important lever for promoting sustainable tourism. 

With technological innovation accelerating and business model rapidly evolving in the global payment industry, Internet and mobile payments have experienced rapid development and gradually made their way to people's daily lives. These safe and convenient innovative payment methods will further facilitate people's travel-related payment and enhance their travel experience. Therefore I call on tourism-related industries to vigorously promote universal adoption of safe and convenient payment methods. 

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Travelling and exploring the new world is part of human genes. With its unique charm and power, tourism has become an important way for people to strengthen exchanges and enhance mutual trust, driving forward the world economy. Now I propose that we join hands to build a solid foundation for sustainable tourism and provide better services and experiences for global tourists.

Thank you all.