Striving for the Win-win Situation between World Heritage Protection and Tourism Development Dr. Dou Qun Dr. Dou Qun China National Tourism Administration THE 3 RD MEETING OF TF DEC 11,2007, PARIS,FRANCE

China tourism maintained a steady growth in 2006 In 2006, 46.8 million overnight tourist arrivals ranking the 4 th in the world over 1.3 billion domestic trips over 36 million outbound trips

Rich world heritages in China 35world heritages ranking the 3 rd in the world 24world cultural heritages 7 world natural heritages 4 world natural & cultural heritages

Some challenges and problems in world heritage protection Environment damaged or threatened Unharmonious modern landscape next to the world heritage sites Pressure from the increasing tourist influx Cultural and educational function neglected Inadequate attention to the interest of the residents at the heritage sites Ineffective regulation in the heritage sites

China explores win-win strategy for world heritage protection and tourism development 1.Strengthen the formulation, publicity and implementation of regulations and standards 2.Explore scientific methods for world heritage protection and its reasonable utilization 3.Increase government investment in the world heritage protection 4.Encourage the correct guidance of the media 5.Bring the social benefits of the world heritages into full play 6.Encourage the cooperation of various interest groups in the world heritage protection

Strengthen the formulation, publicity and implementation of regulations and standards Strengthen the formulation, publicity and implementation of regulations and standards Strengthen the publicity of World Heritage Convention Formulate, improve and implement various regulations and standards -like the National Standard for the Grading and Classification of Tourist Attractions promoted by CNTA which encourage the tourist attractions to spare 10% of the admission revenue for resource and environmental protection

Explore scientific methods for world heritage protection and its reasonable utilization The fact and characteristics There is vast territory and obvious regional variation in China. Goal To establish a management mechanism which complies with the sustainable development of world heritages. Scientific methods The heritage protection and its reasonable utilization should not be restricted to only one single pattern or method. Each world heritage site in China shall find out its most suitable management pattern under the guidance of the government.

Increase government investment in the world heritage protection The Chinese government appropriates special fund to strengthen the world heritage protection. -Beijing, as the host city for 2008 Olympics, has increased investment in the world heritage protection to maintain and recover the unique charm of the ancient oriental capital.

Encourage the supervision and correct guidance of the media In the information age, the viewpoints and proneness of media have direct influence on the public opinion. World heritages have come to the spotlight. The Chinese media attach great importance to the publicity and supervision of the world heritage protection and the sustainable development of tourism.

Bring the social benefits of the world heritages into full play World heritages serve as a means of public education. China places great value on the educational and research function of the world heritages. Some well-known institutes of higher learning and research institutes established specialized research organizations on world heritages. The world heritage sites in China strengthen the training of experts and tour guides.

Encourage the cooperation of various interest groups in the world heritage protection Goal ： to protect and utilize the world heritages in an effective and reasonable manner Premise ： to bring the guidance of the government into full play Methodology ： to invite all kinds of interest groups from both home and abroad to participate in the world heritage protection

the goal of tourism development and heritage protection is highly consistent 1. Good resources and environment are the basis for tourism development. 2. Tourism development does not necessarily damage the environment. 3. Good coordination between protection and development will help protect the world heritages. 4. Tourism development and sustainable development strategy are correlated and mutually beneficial.

Chinese Ideas to the World Heritage Every country has its unique cultural and natural heritages, which are not only a precious legacy of a country or a nationality, but also treasures of mankind. However, many valuable cultural and natural heritages have been eroded after a long history or have suffered damages by human activities, while some have even been on the brink of being fully ruined. It is an imperative task for the international community to strengthen protection of world heritage properties."

Conclusion  The Chinese government has always shown great concern for the protection of cultural and natural heritages. China will further promote the nation's culture, intensify protection of ecological environment and expand international cooperation in the field for the harmonious development between mankind and nature.

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