The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation, UNWTO, Taleb Rifai, has described the forthcoming UNWTO General Assembly as a unique opportunity to get the sector united towards the common goal of making tourism a true driver of sustainable development.

The bi-annual event, which takes place in Chengdu, China, from 11th to 16th September, will witness discussions on ways to advance the contribution of tourism to the sustainable development goals, SDGs, and define the actions of the organisation for the period 2018-2019.

A high-level debate on tourism and the SDGs; a special session on smart tourism; celebrations of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017; the conversion of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics into an international convention and current trends of the tourism sector are all integrated into the agenda of the 22nd session of the UNWTO General Assembly. It will also see talks on the action plan and key priorities of the organisation for the next two years.

"This General Assembly gives us a unique opportunity to take key decisions that will guide us towards making a strong contribution to the future of the people and the planet. The UNWTO General Assembly constitutes the most relevant meeting of global tourism leaders and, therefore, we should capitalise on this occasion. Tourism is at a crossroads. This Assembly is our opportunity to strengthen our sector in view of the changes it faces," Rifai said.

This 22nd session of the General Assembly is the second to be hosted in China and the fourth in Asia Pacific.

"China is not only the world’s fourth most-visited country and the first outbound market in the world; it is also an example of a country prioritising tourism as a driver for development. The efforts of Chinese authorities to define tourism as a strategic pillar of the national economy and an effective development tool make China a fitting host of this UNWTO General Assembly," Rifai added.