The 2024 International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) Annual Conference kicked off in Xingyi, China's Guizhou Province, rallying global leaders to shape the future of eco-conscious travel. With the theme 'Inclusiveness, Mutual Learning, Innovation,' the event spotlighted how tech, culture, and collaboration can transform mountain tourism into a force for sustainability.
Global Leaders Weigh In
IMTA Chairman Dominique de Villepin called the conference a 'crucial hub' for tackling challenges like climate change and smart tourism trends. Meanwhile, He Yafei, IMTA vice chairman, revealed global tourism revenue hit $1.6 trillion in 2023—nearly 90% of pre-pandemic levels. Talk about a comeback!
Pansy Ho, another IMTA vice chair, stressed that sustainable tourism isn't just about profits: 'It's our duty to protect ecosystems and bridge cultures.' Preach!
Future-Proofing Mountain Tourism
The conference dropped major updates: Spain's Gran Canaria snagged hosting rights for 2025 International Mountain Tourism Day, while iconic peaks like Switzerland's Jungfrau and China's Changbai Mountain earned 'World Famous Tourism Mountain' titles.
New hiking trails in China's Five Sacred Mountains also got certified as sustainable 'demonstration routes'—think of them as green-travel blueprints for the world.
Plus, with 11 new members (including Nepal’s trekking agencies and South Korea’s Chungcheongnam-do Tourism Association), IMTA’s network now spans 199 members worldwide. Squad goals, much?
As IMTA enters its eighth year, one thing’s clear: the future of travel isn’t just about snapping pics—it’s about protecting the planet while we explore. Who’s booking their next mountain adventure?
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