China's Xinjiang, five Central Asian countries establish alliance of tourism exchanges, cooperation

An alliance of tourism exchanges and cooperation between northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and five Central Asian countries was established at a conference on the development of Xinjiang's tourism industry held on June 13.

The signing ceremony of the agreement on the establishment of an alliance for tourism exchanges and cooperation between northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and five Central Asian countries is held on June 13, 2023. (Photo/Chen Wenjun)

The association of travel agencies in Xinjiang and tourism industry associations and inter-enterprise consultation and cooperation organizations of five Central Asian countries signed an agreement to establish the alliance at the conference, which also served to promote the tourism industry of Xinjiang.

According to the conference, the alliance is a non-governmental, non-profit, and informal interregional cooperation organization aimed at promoting tourism exchanges and cooperation among its members, enhancing international exchanges between relevant parties, and advancing coordinated economic and social development of relevant economies.

Central Asia is the fastest growing and most promising region for China's inbound tourism, and China is the main source of inbound tourists for Central Asia.

The newly established alliance is expected to intensify exchanges among its members and set up a reciprocal mechanism for the tourism markets of its members to enable the members to jointly shape and expand their tourism markets.

"The establishment of the alliance will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Xinjiang and Central Asian countries in the establishment of platforms, product development, publicity and promotion, information sharing, and market standardization in the cultural and tourism industries," said Wu Feng, head of the association of travel agencies in Xinjiang.