From March 25 to 28, 2024, the 2nd "Dialogue with Gansu" Silk Road Sustainable Tourism Seminar was successfully held in Lanzhou, Gansu Province. The seminar, themed "Sustainable Tourism" and the potential for tourism transformation and development in Gansu and other regions, was jointly organized by the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, the World Bank, and the Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. Dr. Li Guanghan, Assistant Director and Researcher at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific World Heritage Training and Research Center (Beijing), was invited to attend.
The 2nd "Dialogue with Gansu" aimed to:
① Promote a deeper understanding of sustainable tourism principles and practices among stakeholders in Gansu Province.
② Explore strategies for integrating sustainable tourism into regional development planning and policies.
③ Share best practices and successful cases of sustainable tourism in Gansu Province and beyond.
④ Examine the challenges and opportunities for sustainable tourism development in the context of cultural heritage conservation and inclusive economic growth.
⑤ Strengthen cooperation and partnerships among stakeholders to enhance sustainable tourism initiatives and maximize socio-economic benefits for local communities.
Photo: Group photo at the capacity building training
From March 25 to 27, 2024, the 2nd "Dialogue with Gansu" Sustainable Tourism Capacity Building Training took place. This three-day training served as the cornerstone of the dialogue. Delivered by sustainable tourism experts, the training provided in-depth discussions on topics such as cultural heritage conservation, community participation, environmental protection, and destination management. It equipped participants with practical tools, methods, and best practice cases to enhance the resilience and sustainability of tourism development initiatives.
Photo: Seminar discussion session
On March 28, 2024, the 2nd "Dialogue with Gansu" Silk Road Sustainable Tourism Seminar was held. As another key component of the dialogue, the seminar provided a platform for local government and cultural tourism department leaders to exchange experiences, share successful cases, and collaboratively discuss strategies for advancing sustainable tourism.
Mr. He Xiaozu, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and Professor Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, attended and delivered speeches. Mr. Ahmed Eiweida, Project Manager of the World Bank Gansu Cultural Heritage Preservation and Innovation Project, attended and delivered a speech online. Mr. Yan Yongqiang, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, presided over the opening ceremony. Ms. Duong Bich Hanh, Culture Programme Officer at the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, presided over the closing ceremony.
Photo: Dr. Li Guanghan moderating Thematic Panel Discussion 1
Dr. Li Guanghan, Assistant Director and Researcher at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific World Heritage Training and Research Centre (Beijing), was invited to attend the conference. She delivered a keynote speech on the theme "Cultural Heritage Conservation and Tourism Development" and moderated a thematic panel discussion. This panel aimed to examine the role of tourism in preserving cultural heritage, promoting cultural diversity, and strengthening cultural understanding and appreciation. Panellists included representatives from Jiuquan City and Lintao County, Associate Professor Yang Yi from Lanzhou University, and Mr. Sun Xiaoqiang, Chairman of Gansu Cultural Tourism Operation Group.
The 2nd "Dialogue with Gansu" drew on the expertise, collective wisdom, and commitment of stakeholders to explore future initiatives for more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism development in Gansu Province and other Silk Road regions. Through shared learning, cooperation, and innovation, participants can unlock the full potential of sustainable tourism to drive positive change and transformative development.
Editors: Ma Lerong, Kuang Kaishan, Piao Lina
Reviewers: Li Guanghan, Wang Siyu
Final Review: Shen Ruiwen, Zhang Jianwei
