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On May 29, the 2023 International Mountain Tourism Day kicked off in Vientiane, Laos, with the motto "Enjoying the wonder of mountains, sharing the beauty of life, revitalizing the tourism industry."
It is organized by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) and is supported by the UNWTO, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the ASEAN-China Centre, the CNIE, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Guizhou Province and the Bureau of Foreign Affairs of Guizhou Province. The event brought together more than 250 participants to discuss mountain tourism offerings, market developments and solutions to new consumer demands.
Notable guests included Ounethouang Khaophanh, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; Fu Yingchun, Vice Chairwoman and Executive Secretary-General of IMTA; Phouvong Vongkhamsao, Deputy Mayor of Vientiane, Laos; Zhang Xilong, former inspector at China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Xu Peng, Vice Chairman of the World Tourism Alliance (WTA); Phengchanh Phengmuang, Director General of the Department of Planning and International Cooperation, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lao People's Democratic Republic; Emma Chen, Vice President of the International Organization of Folk Arts (IOV); Darany Phommavongsa, Director General of the Department of Tourism Management, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lao People's Democratic Republic; Franka Gulin, Chair of the European Travel Commission China; Inthy Deuansavanh, Member of Laos National Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Goto Satoshi, Vice President of the Asian Union for Caving. Opening speeches were given by Ounethouang Khaophanh and Fu Yingchun, and video addresses came from Peter Semone (Chairman of PATA), Pansy Ho (Vice-Chairman of GTEF and IMTA), Zhu Shanzhong (UNWTO Tourism Ambassador), Dou Enyong (Vice-President of CNIE) and Shi Zhongjun (Secretary-General of ASEAN China Center), representing other organizers and international organizations.
Francesco Frangialli (former UNWTO Secretary-General), Emma Chen, Franka Gulin, Jin Zhun (CASS Secretary-General), and Song Liguo (Representative of Trip.com Group) delivered a keynote speech. Wu Mai, Deputy Secretary-General of IMTA, released the Vientiane Consensus for the 2023 International Mountain Tourism Day to revitalize tourism and create a bright future together.
Events also included activities such as the Opening Ceremony, Thematic Forum, Asian Mountain Tourism Promotion Conference, IMTA World Famous Mountains Recommendation and exchange meetings.
