On October 21, during an interview, Research Manager Huang Mei from the China Personnel Science Research Institute highlighted the rapid growth of the digital economy in China, which has significantly empowered the innovation within the culture and tourism sectors. She noted that the rise of digital tourism is poised to reshape the landscape of the travel industry.
Huang emphasized the current demand for talent in digital tourism, which reflects both expansion and quality enhancement. However, the supply side faces a dual challenge characterized by a shortage of quantity and skills. Gayane Gabrielyan, the Deputy Minister of the Environment of Armenia, underscored that, in today’s globalized and digital era, the deep integration of culture and tourism serves not only as a new engine for economic growth but also as a vital means for cultural preservation.
At the 2024 Shanghai Business School “Pan-Tourism Hotel” International Scholars Forum and the inaugural Academic Forum for Graduate Students in Tourism Management, scholars from various institutions worldwide engaged in discussions on the industry’s development. Wu Zhong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Shanghai Business School, expressed hope that the forum would foster collaboration and communication among global scholars, exploring the role of new productive forces in the integration of culture, tourism, and hotel management. This, he believes, will enhance understanding, ignite ideas, broaden perspectives, and strengthen cooperation.
Chen Zheng, Director of the Five-Star Care Special Fund under the China Caring for the Next Generation Health Sports Foundation, emphasized the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration among experts to explore how to integrate sustainable development concepts into tourism management. He highlighted the aim of achieving a harmonious balance between economic, social, and environmental benefits.
Zheng Jie, a doctoral student at Iowa State University, spotlighted the critical role of big data in the digital transformation of the culture and tourism industries. He pointed out its catalytic effects on innovation in the travel sector. Zheng proposed strategies such as utilizing topic modeling to delve deeper into tourism content and leveraging sentiment analysis to accurately capture visitor feedback. He also stressed the importance of integrating large and small data, enhancing the combination of structured and unstructured data, while reinforcing user privacy protection to ensure the sustainable development of the tourism industry.
Cross-cultural tourism services emerged as a focal topic at the forum. Deputy Minister Gabrielyan elaborated on Armenia’s rich history and its geographical diversity, which contributes to a unique climate and landscape. She highlighted that the Armenian language and its alphabet have remained nearly unchanged for over 1,600 years, underscoring the cultural depth of Armenia. Gabrielyan proposed a series of forward-thinking innovative strategies and practical cases aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and appeal of the cultural tourism sector. These strategies not only demonstrate respect for and preservation of cultural uniqueness but also reflect a deep understanding and commitment to sustainable development principles.
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