The 2024 Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports International Conference (MTOS) concluded successfully in Xingyi, located in the Guizhou province of China, bringing together more than 400 delegates from around the world. This meeting, which took place between September 26th and 27th, served as a vibrant platform to discuss the future of mountain tourism under the theme “The integration of culture, sports, and tourism presents a high-quality life.”
This year, the conference was jointly organized by the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) and several government agencies in Guizhou, highlighting its uniqueness as an international summit dedicated to mountain tourism. The event included a series of 17 thematic activities designed to promote innovative and sustainable practices within the industry.
In his congratulatory letter, Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), emphasized the significance of the conference, not only for mountain tourism in China but also globally. The event’s opening impressed attendees with an exhibition of nearly 100 photographs from 25 countries, celebrating the natural and cultural appeal of mountainous environments.
During presentations and speeches, fundamental issues such as the impact of climate change on mountain destinations and the development of certification criteria for internationally recognized tourist mountains were addressed. The title of “Famous Tourist Mountains of the World” was awarded to 14 mountains, including Annapurna-I in Nepal and Risco Caído in Spain, underscoring a growing commitment to the protection and sustainable management of these places.
Xingyi was also recognized as a “World Well-being Demonstrative City,” strengthening its position on the global map of wellness tourism, highlighting its ability to integrate various industries related to tourism. The conference facilitated deep international dialogues, with the 2024 Asian Mountain Tourism Promotion Conference being a key piece in which experts shared perspectives on the sustainable development of the tourism industry in Asia.
In addition, the IMTA launched initiatives to promote responsible and sustainable management of mountain tourism, supporting the growth of inbound tourism in the Asia-Pacific region. The organization remains committed to preserving mountain resources and cultures while promoting local economic development through inclusive and sustainable practices.
Parallel activities, including the Wanfenglin Hiking Conference, the Expo of Equipment for Culture, Sports, and Well-being, and international sports competitions, reiterated the integration of sports and outdoor recreation with cultural, sports, and well-being tourism. These events complemented MTOS’s inclusive vision, combining sport, culture, and well-being in a coherent and sustainable approach to mountain tourism.
The conference, in addition to reinforcing the importance of mountain tourism on the international agenda, solidified Xingyi and the Guizhou province as centers of well-being and outdoor recreation tourism, with extensive media coverage resonating globally. With the momentum created by this event, mountain tourism is moving towards a promising and sustainable future.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
