GTI Press release

NE Asia to Strengthen Regional Cooperation on Tourism Development
 
1 Sept. 2009, Changchun, China - The 2nd meeting of the Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI) Tourism Board was successfully held on 1 September 2009 in Changchun, China, concluded with the adoption of the GTI Tourism Action Plan 2010-2012. The Meeting was held back-to-back to the 5th Northeast Asia Economic Cooperation Forum.

This meeting was organized by the GTI Tumen Secretariat, with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Jilin Provincial Government of China. 

Members of the GTI Tourism Board, officials from central and local governments of China, Russia, ROK and Mongolia, as well as the representatives from UNDP, UNWTO, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and tourism companies participated in this meeting.

Ms. Nataliya Yacheistova, Director of the GTI Tumen Secretariat chaired the meeting.  Welcoming statements were made by Mr. Napoleon Navarro, Deputy Country Director of UNDP China; Mr. Harsh Varma, Director of UNWTO; Ms. Cong Hongxia, Deputy Secretary-General of Jilin government; Mr. Shi Guoxiang, Director General of the Tourism Bureau of Jilin province.

During the meeting, the participants actively reviewed the GTI tourism activities and discussed the issues of regional cooperation on tourism development in NE Asia. Mr. H Varma underlined the importance of developing muti-destination itineraries in Northeast Asia; Mr. Kris Lim, Associate Director of PATA, summarized the recent trend of world tourism; Mr. Nick Bonner, Director of Koryo Tours Company, introduced the problems and potential of tours to Ranjin Sonbong region of DPRK.

The Meeting adopted the GTI Tourism Action Plan 2010-2012, which will strategically direct the GTI tourism activities to reach practical results through the implementation of concrete tourism projects. The GTI Tourism Board agreed to follow up a number of activities, such as the “facilitation of cross border tourism flows”, “provision of quality tourism facilities and services”, “improvement of interpretation of tourism resources”, “development of a broad range of product development initiatives” and etc.
 
The concept note for publishing the new GTI Tourism Guide was approved at the Meeting. This new version geographically covers the GTI Tumen region, with rich information on major attractions and practical guide for tourists.

The development of the new trans-border tourism routes, featured by fascinating natural scenes and cultural diversity of the region, is agreed by the participants for further joint realization.

A regular exchange mechanism of tourism information among Northeast Asian countries was set up at the Meeting, of which the GTI Secretariat shall play a coordinating role in making the tourism information to be timely exchanged among tourism authorities and released to the public.

"Through this meeting, the GTI countries strengthened practical cooperation on tourism development with active participation of regional and local authorities, extended partnership with international organizations to jointly promote trans-boarder tourism activities in Northeast Asia, and established a strong network with private sector to advance the development of tourism products and attract more tourists to GTI countries,” said Ms. Nataliya Yacheistova.

View of Changbai Mountain

Furthermore, the participants agreed to set up NE Asia Tourism Forum at an annual basis, back-to-back to the meeting of the GTI Tourism Board. The 3rd meeting of GTI Tourism Board and the 1st Northeast Asia Tourism Forum will take place in 2010 in one of the GTI member countries.

Related Information:

Presentations at the 2nd Meeting of the GTI Tourism Board    GTI Tourism Activities    Agenda of the 2nd Meeting of the GTI Tourism Board