18-21 May 2016
The First World Conference on Tourism for Development was held in Beijing from the 18-21 May 2016. Samoa’s delegation to the meeting was led by the Minister for Tourism Hon. Selafi Joseph Purcell with a delegation comprising of the Ambassador of Samoa to China, H.E Tapusalaia Terry Toomata, the CEO of Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) Ms. Papalii Sonja Hunter, Counselor of the Embassy of Samoa Ms. Helen Chou-Lee Tanuvasa and the First Secretary, Ms. Dorothy Ah Ching Meredith.
The event was jointly organized by the Government of China and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to encourage deliberations and create a better understanding of tourism’s contribution to development including poverty alleviation and peace. Further, China as the Chair of G20 also hosted the 7th G20 Tourism Minister’s Meeting during the event. Several heads of states as well as tourism ministers and senior officials from over 100 countries participated.
The UN has declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and a unique opportunity to portray tourism’s potential to help transform the world into a place of prosperity and wellbeing for all mankind. The conference highlighted the fast growing socio-economic benefits resulting from tourism and how tourism can stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and help small communities out of poverty.
