New pact to boost tourism under Belt and Road Initiative

The Beijing-based World Tourism Cities Federation is set to sign an agreement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to boost tourism.

Under the agreement, both sides will work to publicize the culture and history of China and countries and cities involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The agreement is expected to strengthen the development of tourism in countries and cities involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, says Song Yu, the secretary-general of the World Tourism Cities Federation.

More than 4.4 billion people in more than 60 countries and cities are involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, according to Song.

China is expected to send 150 million visitors to cities and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative in the next five years, and their tourism spending will surpass US$200 billion, Song says. Separately, China is expected to attract 85 million visits from tourists in these areas.