In what is regarded as a first for China the country is playing
host to the 2006 International Forum on Rural Tourism which opened
in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, on Tuesday.
The meeting -- jointly organized by China National Tourism
Administration, the United Nations World Tourism Organization
(WTO), the World Bank and the provincial government of Guizhou --
convened with more than 200 tourist industry representatives and
experts from 16 countries and regions.
Francesco Frangialli, Secretary General of the WTO, gave a
keynote speech at the opening session of the forum. He said poverty
alleviation was one of the long-term goals in developing rural
tourism and his organization were honored to assist China with its
rich cultural and natural heritage in developing business of this
area.
Shao Qiwei, director of the China National Tourism
Administration, told participants that China's countryside tourist
spots were visited by more than 300 million tourists annually with
yearly earnings from the sector exceeding 40 billion yuan (US$5
billion).
"Rural tourism development has become a new economic growth
sector in China and has the capacity to help poor rural regions
shake off poverty," said Shao. The official added that the
administration had nominated 35 demonstration spots for rural
tourist development scattered throughout the country.
According to administration statistics, 70 percent of urban
tourists choose rural tourist destinations during China's three
"golden-week" peak travel seasons in May, October and Spring Festival or China's Lunar New Year. Over
60 million visitors flock to rural tourist spots every week during
these periods.
The two-day forum will hold group sessions on a variety of
topics including how to promote sustainable development in rural
areas through tourism.
Guizhou was chosen as the venue for the forum to showcase
China's rural tourist development efforts. The economically
disadvantaged province is committed to promoting its ethnic brand
of cultural tourism, its rural diversity and scenic spots. Its
emerging rural tourism sector has helped many impoverished villages
shake off poverty.
(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2006)