The 11th UNWTO/PATA Forum on Tourism Trends and Outlook was held in Guilin, China on 10-12 October 2017. Jointly organised by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the forum was co-organised by the Guilin Municipal People's Government in collaboration with the SHTM.
2017 is designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. In the context
of global-local dynamics coupled with mobilities and technologies in both developed and emerging economies, the role of tourism as a driver for sustainable development is open to discussion from the policy, academic and industry perspectives. Taking the theme "Sustainable Tourism Beyond Being Green", the forum provided a platform for government officers, NGOs, industry practitioners and academics to share their insights, practices and research findings.
The forum was opened on 10
October, with Keynote Session One entitled "Sustainable Tourism for Development" moderated by Professor Haiyan Song, SHTM Associate Dean. The session featured Mr Marcio Favilla, Executive Director of the UNWTO; Prof Ralf Buckley of Griffith University; and Professor Dai Bin, President of the China Tourism Academy. Featuring renowned industry leaders and policy makers, the two panel sessions that followed were both devoted to best policy practice for sustainable tourism development. The day
closed with Keynote Session Two entitled "Tourism for Sustainable Development in China", moderated by Dr Honggen Xiao, SHTM Associate Professor, and featuring Professor Wu Bihu of Peking University, Professor Zhang Jie of Nanjing University, Professor Zhang Hui of Beijing Jiaotong University and Ms An Li, Vice President of Airbnb China.
Held on the second day, the forum's opening ceremony was hosted by Mr Zhou Jiabin, Mayor of Guilin, and officiated at by Mr Zhao Leqin, Chairman of the
Guilin Municipal People's Congress and Municipal Party Secretary; Mr Marcio Favilla, Executive Director of the UNWTO; Dr Mario Hardy, CEO of PATA; Professor Kaye Chon, SHTM Dean and Chair Professor; Mr Zhang Xiaoqin, Vice Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People's Government; and Mr Du Jiang, Vice Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration.
The keynote sessions and panel session that followed provided ample opportunities for practitioners and academics to exchange views on various aspects of the forum's theme. Moderated by Mr Ong Hong Peng, Chairman of the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy of Malaysia, Keynote Session Three was entitled "Tourism Trends and Outlook 2017-2018", and Keynote Session Four was devoted to the topic "Sustainability Moving Towards New Heights". The day also featured a panel
session entitled "The Role of Academia in Driving Sustainability", which was moderated by Dr Honggen Xiao.
The forum was officially closed on 11 October by Mr Harry Hwang, Deputy Director, Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific at the UNWTO; Dr Hardy of PATA; Ms Chen Lihua, Vice Mayor of Guilin; and Dean Kaye Chon of the SHTM. The School is delighted to have contributed to the forum as a vital part of its ongoing efforts to support sustainable tourism development.
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