IMTA 2024: Paving the Way for Sustainable Mountain Adventures 🌄
Hey adventure seekers! If you're all about that mountain life, we've got some exciting news for you. The 2024 International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) Annual Conference just wrapped up on September 26 in the stunning city of Xingyi, Guizhou Province. 🎉
With the theme \"Inclusiveness, Mutual Learning, Innovation – Empowering Sustainable Mountain Tourism with New Quality Productive Forces\", the conference was basically the Avengers Assemble of mountain tourism. Industry leaders from around the globe came together to brainstorm fresh, innovative ways to level up sustainable mountain tourism. 🏔️✨
A Message from the Top 📢
IMTA Chairman Dominique de Villepin kicked things off with a video message, highlighting the conference as a mega platform for dialogue and cooperation in the mountain tourism scene. He pointed out that as global tourism shifts from recovery mode to sustainable growth, there's a booming demand for smart tourism and new biz opportunities in the mountains. 🧠🌐
\"We need to dig deep into industry trends and work hand-in-hand to tackle the challenges facing international tourism,\" de Villepin emphasized. 🤝
Numbers Don't Lie 📈
He Yafei, IMTA vice chairman, dropped some impressive stats: global tourism revenue hit a whopping $1.6 trillion in 2023, with tourist numbers bouncing back to 90% of pre-pandemic levels! 🌍✈️ He highlighted IMTA's role in pushing for inclusive, sustainable mountain tourism by blending culture, education, and tech into tourism development. 🎭🎓💻
Looking Ahead 🚀
Pansy Ho, another IMTA vice chairman, talked about how climate change, tech advancements, and shifts in global supply chains are shaking things up in the tourism industry. She stressed that promoting sustainable mountain tourism isn't just about boosting the economy—it’s also about protecting the environment and promoting cultural exchange. 🌳💚
Since day one, IMTA has been all about the sustainable use of mountain resources and reviving local economies. Talk about goals! 🏆
Highlights and Achievements 🌟
The conference didn't just talk the talk; they walked the walk by showcasing some epic achievements:
- Gran Canaria, Spain 🇪🇸, was awarded the hosting rights for the 2025 \"International Mountain Tourism Day.\" Get ready for sun, sea, and mountains! 🏖️🏔️
- Fourteen iconic sites, including Jungfrau in Switzerland 🇨🇭 and Annapurna in Nepal 🇳🇵, were certified as \"World Famous Tourism Mountains.\" 🏅
- Three new \"IMTA International Mountain Hiking Demonstration Routes\" received plaques, setting new standards for top-notch hiking tourism. 🚶♂️🌄
Plus, Xingyi is now home to a new IMTA liaison office, solidifying its spot as a mountain tourism hotspot. 🌐
Growing the Squad 🤗
The IMTA Expert Committee welcomed new members, including industry bigwigs and scholars, to guide the future of mountain tourism. Eleven newbies, like the Chungcheongnam-do Tourism Association of South Korea 🇰🇷 and the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal 🇳🇵, joined the IMTA family, expanding its global reach to 199 members! 🌍👥
What's Next? 🔮
As IMTA strides into its eighth year, they're more hyped than ever to promote sustainable mountain tourism through teamwork, innovation, and inclusivity. The 2024 Annual Conference is a game-changer, marking a pivotal moment as the industry shifts gears from just recovering to growing sustainably. 🚴♀️🌱
So, gear up, mountain lovers! The future of mountain tourism is looking bright, and we can't wait to see where this trail leads. 🗺️✨
Reference(s):
IMTA 2024 Conference aims to help empower sustainable mountain tourism
cgtn.com
