Sustainable tourism is key for Hainan
More than 2-thousand participants are attending the BoAo International Tourism Forum. They include 60 ministerial-level officials and executives of major tourism associations. Event participants believe the best way for Hainan to boost its tourism growth is to make traveling a low impact activity on the regional environmental and local culture.
The world's top tourism bodies say it's key for Hainan to preserve local culture and traditions. They believe in order to transform it into a true international tourism island, the region will need more than just sun-soaked beaches and marine resources.
Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of UNWTO, said, "Hainan should just be Hainan....... to build it into a unique tourism destination. "
Event participants are suggesting Hainan prioritize its long-term development goals. They also believe the island should boost communication and information exchange with global peers.
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President, World Travel & Tourism Council, said, "The main issue here is that Hainan is lack of fame......how to create something different... how to build the image of Hainan will be quite a challenge."
Greg Duffel, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Assoc., said, "There are lots of travel products like family travel packages waiting to be developed. .... product lines could also attract foreign tourists."
During the forum, various tourism topics like Human Resource Management, infrastructure construction and disaster prevention and emergency management, have also been discussed.
Event participants say sustainable development and a balanced profit distribution system will help Hainan maintain sound tourism market g
rowth. They believe China's tourism growth will also benefit the world's post-crisis economic development.