The International Mountain Tourism Day 2026 Theme Events opened on 29 May in Shennongjia, Hubei Province. With the theme "Preserving World Heritage, Sharing the Prosperity of Famous Mountains — Zhiyin Hubei, Mysterious Shennongjia", the gathering brought together representatives from international organizations, foreign embassies and consulates in China, cultural and tourism authorities,, and media professionals from around the world to explore pathways for the coordinated development of ecological protection and cultural tourism. The program featured the Opening Ceremony, the Dialogue among World Famous Mountains 2026, the Investment and Business Meeting for Mountain Culture and Tourism, and a series of other events. Guests participated in various formats, sharing cutting-edge ideas and deepening practical cooperation. Liu Zhaohui, Vice Chairman of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA), delivered a speech at the 2026 Dialogue among World Famous Mountains.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Hubei Shennongjia Foresty District
Source: Shennongjia Forestry District Culture and Tourism Bureau | Chen Jihua

It is a great honor to be with you here in Shennongjia, known as the "Roof of Central China", for the Dialogue among World Famous Mountains 2026. On behalf of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA), I would like to extend the warmest welcome to you who have come all the way here, and express our heartfelt thanks to the Department of Culture and Tourism of Hubei Province, Shennongjia Forestry District, and all our partners for their unwavering efforts in bringing this event to fruition.

Famous mountains are the backbone of our planet and beacons of the human spirit. They embody nature's grandeur and preserve the memory of civilization. However, with the rapid growth of global mountain tourism, we face an urgent question: how do we balance preservation with development, and ensure that World Heritage sites thrive through tourism rather than merely survive? This is the defining challenge of our era, and one we must answer together.

Nepal's Annapurna Peak
Source: Tuchong Creative

Here, I would like to offer three reflections:

First, ecological conservation is both the baseline and the defining character of mountain tourism. The value of World Heritage mountains resides first in their irreplaceable natural and cultural heritage. A sound ecosystem is the non-negotiable precondition for sustainable mountain tourism. Shennongjia, with its intact forest ecosystems and remarkable biodiversity, stands as a compelling model. We urge all mountain management bodies and tourism operators to honor ecological boundaries, advance low-impact, low-carbon, circular tourism practices, and to ensure that every mountain remains a living example sustainable development.

Second, innovation is both the engine and the lifeline of mountain tourism. It demands that we innovate within the bounds of conservation, and conserve through the power of innovation. We must actively adopt digital technologies, smart management, and immersive experiences to deepen visitors' ecological literacy and cultural enrichment. We must foster synergy among mountain destinations through co-branding, reciprocal visitor flows, and joint product development. Today's “sister-mountains” partnership between Annapurna in the Himalayas and Shennongjia exemplifies this spirit of such innovative collaboration.

Third, community engagement is both the bedrock and the future of mountain tourism. Its benefits must reach beyond external investors to the very communities who have lived in these mountains for generations. We advocate for community co-governance that empowers indigenous residents as guardians of the ecosystem, successors to cultural heritage, and beneficiaries of tourism. Conservation endures and tourism prospers only when locals benefit from it.

2026 "World Famous Mountains Dialogue" Event Site

Since its founding, IMTA has remained steadfast in advancing sustainable, inclusive mountain tourism worldwide. As flagship events of the IMTA, International Mountain Tourism Day and the Dialogue among World Famous Mountains have attracted an increasing number of like-minded partners. Today, representatives from mountain management bodies of China, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam will share their practical experience, while experts from the Pacific Asia Travel Association,the International Tourism Studies Association, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Animal Protection, and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development will convene for a roundtable dialogue on "Ecological Conservation and Pathways for Innovative Development of Famous Tourism Mountains". I look forward to an open, spirited exchange that ignites fresh insights.

In closing, let Shennongjia be our starting point and the Shennongjia Declaration our shared commitment. Together, let’s protect our shared World Heritage, share the benefits of these famous mountains, and contribute to implementing the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda through mountain tourism.

I wish this Dialogue Event a resounding success. Thank you.

Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Congxiao

Editor Ⅱ: Zhang Wenwen

Editor Ⅲ: Zhang Yijing