Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit Held in Hong Kong for the First Time Gathering 800 Global Industry Leaders to Promote Deep Cooperation

The "2025 World Tourism Cities Federation Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit," hosted by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, and organized by the WTCF Secretariat, Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, and Hong Kong Tourism Board, was inaugurated yesterday (April 15) at a hotel in Hung Hom.

Themed "Innovating City Brands to Promote High-Quality Tourism Development," the summit brought together over 800 guests from more than 40 countries and 60 cities. officiating guests included Chief Executive John Lee, Beijing Vice Mayor and WTCF Council Executive Vice-Chairperson Sima Hong, and Maurizio Rasero, President of Asti Province and Mayor of Asti, Italy, alongside industry leaders and tourism stakeholders. The summit provides a platform to foster deep cooperation in tourism and international exchanges, facilitate experience sharing, and bring new perspectives and opportunities for Hong Kong’s tourism industry.

During the opening ceremony, the "Hong Kong Initiative" was released, proposing five key directions for promoting the high-quality development of global tourism: 1) Promoting cultural heritage and innovation to build the spiritual core of tourism cities; 2) Leveraging technology to enhance tourism experiences and reshape city competitiveness; 3) Adhering to sustainable tourism principles for long-term prosperity; 4) Establishing a global collaborative network to build a community for city tourism development; and 5) Strengthening urban tourism safety to establish a foundation of trust.

Chief Executive John Lee, in his speech, expressed Hong Kong’s pride in hosting the 2025 WTCF Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit as one of the world’s leading tourism hubs. He highlighted that Hong Kong, alongside mayors, deputy mayors, city officials, and delegations from mainland China and global cities, will collaborate across borders to strategize for the future of tourism. Within the interconnected global landscape, Hong Kong is accelerating the development of "multi-destination" tourism. As an open and inclusive international metropolis blending Chinese and Western cultures, Hong Kong will continue to work with global cities to shape the 21st-century tourism industry blueprint.

Beijing Vice Mayor and WTCF Council Executive Vice-Chairperson Sima Hong stated that the 2025 Hong Kong Summit is a significant event held amid the global tourism industry’s full recovery and prosperity. The theme of "Innovating City Brands to Promote High-Quality Tourism Development" is timely and relevant. The prosperity of urban tourism will foster mutual understanding among civilizations and contribute to world peace and development.