The Academic community Actively Issued Advice in Promoting the Development of ASEAN-China Ecotourism

On 23 November 2017, experts, scholars and tourism industry representatives from China and ASEAN countries convened at the ASEAN-China Ecotourism Development Seminar organized by ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and Philippine Department of Tourism and made constructive recommendations for better promoting the ecotourism development.

Prof. Zhang Hailin and Prof. Wang Yajuan from Guilin Tourism University made keynote speeches with focuses on "Ecotourism Development and Sustainable Growth" and "The Importance of All Parties in Promoting Sustainable Development". Prof. Zhang pointed out that tourism is an important driving force for the development of global economy and society. The development of traditional tourism industry has helped to push forward the modern industries, such as economy, industry and science and technology. In order to promote the tourism industry to realize innovation and harmonious development and protect the environment, all countries should vigorously develop ecotourism and strive to achieve sustainable growth in all related fields. Prof. Wang said that the purpose of tourism is to achieve harmony between men and nature, and ecotourism is one of the effective ways to achieve this goal and promote the coordinated development of environmental protection and tourism. ASEAN National Tourism Organizations, local tourism authorities, tourism industry stakeholders and academic research institutions should shoulder their own responsibilities, actively work together and cooperate closely to promote the sustainable development of tourism.

The experts and representatives from University of the Philippines, - Philippine Institute of Marine Animals and the Philippine Padan Travel Agency made presentations on the practical significance and effective measures to promote sustainable tourism development, the protection of endangered marine animals and the design, planning, development and integration of ecotourism products, according to their academic research and field of business respectively.

During the Seminar, scholars and experts from various countries exchanged views and had fruitful interactions with participants.