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MARIGOT--A delegation from the Collectivité will visit China at the beginning of September to participate in the Beijing Fragrant Hills Summit, as part of the Federation of World Tourist Cities Conference (WTCF), which will be held this year under the theme "market and cooperation."
The Chinese authorities invited President of the St. Martin Tourism Office Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool who will be accompanied by Tourism Office Director Silviane John, Second Vice-President of the Territorial Council Ramona Connor, Ports Director Albéric Ellis, and Tourism Director for the Collectivité Stéphanie Bessière.
Costs of the delegation's visit to China have been entirely paid for by the Summit organisers.
The St. Martin delegation will attend the conference with 85 other global delegations. The conference aims to create sustainable links between the actors in world tourism (hotels, travel agencies, airlines, media, airports, and financial) to form a multilateral platform for co-operation between the tourist cities of the world.
"The elected representatives of the Collectivité wish to initiate new contacts in world tourism who can benefit our destination," noted Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool. "This is our first conference as a member of WTCF so we are eager to see how this group works. We intend to take advantage of this time in China to form lasting relationships and achieve the objectives we have set for ourselves. In addition, we will be looking for potential partners to develop our tourism."
WTCF, of which Marigot is now a part, is the first international non-profit tourism organisation to focus on cities. It aims to promote development of the tourism industry throughout the world. At present 130 cities and world-renowned tourism organisations have joined the federation since its inception in 2012.
The Beijing Conference will open its doors on September 3, with the "World Tourism Cities Expo and Trade Fair." Among the 85 partner cities WTCF will host 50 buyers from China Tours, 50 national purchasers for Chinese tourism, 100 buyers from international tourist destinations and more than 100 companies operating in the tourism sector.
The Collectivité described the visit as a "crucial opportunity for our small territory," which should, through relationships formed at the Summit attract new light on tourism and give a fresh boost to the destination.
