Hainan Delegation Attends 27th ITOP Forum in Jeju
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The 27th Inter-Island Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum was held in Jeju, South Korea, from October 28 to 30. Wang Lei, deputy director-general of the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province, led a delegation to the forum. During the visit, Wang paid a courtesy call on Wi Seong-gon, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and met with representatives from other member regions. They reached a consensus on using the ITOP platform to strengthen high-level exchanges and practical cooperation between Hainan and the other member regions.
Under the theme “BEYOND ISLANDS: Empowering the Innovative Future Through Tourism,” this year's forum brought together more than 450 participants from 16 countries, including government delegations from 12 member island regions, representatives of international organizations, and tourism industry professionals. Discussions focused on addressing the climate crisis, advancing sustainable island tourism, and strengthening cooperation among island regions. For the first time, the forum hosted a business matchmaking event to facilitate joint tourism product development and business cooperation among member regions. Galápagos Province, Republic of Ecuador, and South Aegean Region, Hellenic Republic officially joined ITOP, marking its first expansion in 13 years and extending its network to South America and Europe.
Alongside the forum, Jeju also hosted the World Island Festival, special promotional events, and one-on-one business matchmaking sessions. Hainan’s delegation included a culinary team from Haibin Group, a dance troupe from Jiaji Middle School in Qionghai, the Hainan Provincial Golf Association, and Lecheng International Convention and Exhibition Group.
As one of ITOP's founding members, Hainan has participated in its activities since the forum was established in 1997, supporting tourism cooperation and the exchange of experience among island regions worldwide. At this year's forum in Jeju, the Hainan delegation attended plenary sessions, thematic discussions, and member-region meetings. It shared updates on the Hainan Free Trade Port’s development and progress in developing Hainan into an international tourism and consumption center, highlighted the island's tourism resources and environmental conservation practices, and exchanged views with other members on expanding tourism cooperation, addressing climate change, and advancing sustainable development.
Copyright 2021 Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2021 Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province.
All rights reserved.
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