Co-organised by the SHTM and the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University, the inaugural China Tourism Forum 2019 – USA was held successfully on 21-22 July in Philadelphia, USA.
Fliggy – Alibaba’s Travel Division was the conference's strategic partner.
A major annual event for both academics and industry practitioners in China's tourism and hospitality industry, the China Tourism Forum has been held in mainland China and Hong Kong since 2004. Building on more than a decade of success, this year's forum was held outside China for the first time. Combining cutting-edge research and practice and connecting Western thinking with Eastern wisdom, the China Tourism Forum 2019 – USA offered novel insights into China's tourism and hospitality market while fostering cooperation and exchange between academics and industry practitioners in the field.
Taking the theme "Riding Opportunities Ahead", the forum started off on 21 July with the presentation of academic papers as well as the STR Rountable Session on the topic "Hospitality and Tourism Data and Analytics for Research and the Classroom" and the CNTO Roundtable Session entitled "Market Outlook on US Tourism to China".
On 22 July, the forum was officially opened by Dr Richrd M Englert, President, Temple University; Mr Jim Kenney, Mayor, City of Philadelphia; Ambassador Ping Huang, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in New York; Ms Stephanie Sun, Pennsylvania Governor's Advisory Commissioner on Asian Pacific American Affairs, and Associate Director of Partnerships, Philly Counts, City of Philadelphia; Professor Kaye Chon, SHTM Dean, Chair Professor and Walter Kwok Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management; and Dr Jeremy Jordan, Associate Dean, Millard E Gladfelter Research Fellow, School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Temple University.
Focused on the theme of "Riding Opportunities Ahead", the forum attracted industry leaders and renowned academics from around the world who shared their insights, practices and research findings. Nine keynote presentations were featured on the topics "The Impact of Chinese Travel on the US Economy", "Embrace Guests Worldwide with More Openness", "Bilateral Relations, Friendships and Interests of Both Sides: The Energy for Tourism", "Tourism Industry in Asia: The Way Forward", "China Hotel Industry – An Update and Thoughts for the Future", "Perspectives on the Characteristics and Evolution of China's Cruise Market", "The Philadelphia Opportunity: A Case for Nonstop Air Service to China", "The Way to Discover Global Fun in the DT Era" and "Pride and Prejudice? Tackling US-China (Mis)Perceptions through Tourism".
Also featured were three panel discussions covering "Trends and Challenges of Chinese Outbound Tourism", "Hotel Development in China" and "Preparing Future Tourism Talents".
The forum was a resounding success as practitioners and scholars gathered to reflect and deliberate on the future path of the industry. The SHTM is privileged to have been able to facilitate this strategic dialogue between hospitality and tourism researchers and industry leaders in China and the USA.
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