On June 2, the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Beijing Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit officially opened at the ZGC International Innovation Center in Beijing.
Opening ceremony of the summit
[Photo courtesy of WTCF]
Themed "Smart Tourism, Better Future", this year’s summit featured a series of events, including the General Assembly, Council Meeting, Opening Ceremony, and Exhibition and Showcase. The summit has attracted representatives from 73 cities across 56 countries and regions, bringing together two foreign deputy ministers of tourism, five heads of international organizations, and 23 mayoral-level representatives from cities overseas. Participants spanned city and institutional members, international organizations, cultural and tourism enterprises, academics, and media representatives. They engaged in discussions on the transformation trends and development strategies for the global cultural and tourism sectors in the era of digital intelligence.
Elvis La Torre Uñaccori, Mayor of Machupicchu, Peru
[Photo courtesy of WTCF]
During the opening ceremony, guests exchanged insights and experiences under the theme of "Smart Tourism, Better Future." Elvis La Torre Uñaccori, Mayor of Machupicchu, noted that tourism serves as a key driver of coordinated economic, social, and cultural development. Beyond stimulating economic vitality, tourism strengthens people-to-people ties between Beijing and Machupicchu and promotes mutual learning between civilizations. He stated that world-renowned heritage sites such as the Great Wall of China and the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu underscore the importance of international cooperation in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council
[Photo courtesy of WTCF]
In her remarks, Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), highlighted that Beijing's inbound tourist arrivals increased by 15.8 percent year-on-year in 2025, more than three times the global average. She also noted that while the global tourism economy expanded by 4 percent last year, China led the world with a growth rate of 9.9 percent, more than double the global average. She emphasized the WTTC's long-standing work in quantitative research on the cultural and tourism sectors, using data-driven insights to inform policy recommendations and support industry promotion efforts. By fostering collaboration among governments and cities worldwide, the organization continues to expand employment opportunities and attract investment to fully unlock the sectors’ economic potential.
World Tourism Destination Digital and Smart Competitiveness Report (2026)
[Photo courtesy of WTCF]
A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the release of the World Tourism Destination Digital and Smart Competitiveness Report (2026), jointly compiled by the World Tourism Cities Federation and the Pacific Asia Travel Association. From the perspectives of digitalization and artificial intelligence, the report conducts a systematic assessment of major tourism cities worldwide across multiple dimensions, including digital infrastructure, smart tourism applications, and data service systems. The report also unveils the Top 10 Global Leading Cities in Digital Tourism, with Beijing ranking first.
The summit also released 10 application scenarios of science and technology for culture and tourism in Beijing, covering a wide range of innovative areas such as robotic smart services, AI-powered travel concierges, and digital revitalization of cultural relics. Spanning the entire visitor journey and the full chain of culture and tourism operations, these applications showcase the strong foundation and technological capabilities underpinning Beijing's digital culture and tourism development.
During the summit, the World Tourism Cities Federation held a ceremony to welcome 11 new members. Cities including Agnibilékrou, Aqaba, Bishkek, Brezno, Latacunga, Yichang, and Ziguinchor, along with tourism institutions, including Shaha Tourism, NMagic, Tamitrip, and Visa Inc., were officially admitted to the federation. The new members joined other participants in launching the Beijing Initiative.
Initiated and founded in Beijing, the World Tourism Cities Federation is the world's first city-centric international tourism organization. It currently has 263 members covering 89 countries and regions, with the Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit serving as its flagship annual event.
(Source: CRI Online)
