Silk Road, with a history of more than 2,000 years and stretching over 7,000 kilometers, was an inland commercial trade route in ancient times connecting Asia, Africa and Europe. China is the starting point of the route.

The tourism festival, which has been held three times, plays a vital role in promoting tourism and international communication and cooperation in Gansu.

Jean Claude Baumgarten, vice chairman of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. He said that given the number of countries covered by Silk Road, various kinds of commodity goods and diverse cultures from different ethnic groups were all very fascinating and overwhelming.

He added that in 2013, tourism industry accounted for 9.55 percent of the total world economy, its export volume took up 5.4 percent of global exports, and the number of foreign tourists hit one billion.

“Key regions of the Silk Road economic belt include 53 countries from Asia, Africa, and Europe, which makes it the most potent economic corridor throughout the world and exerts profound influence on the economic development of countries along the Silk Road,” said Shao Qiwei, director of China’s National Tourism Administration.

China is willing to expand cooperation with the governments of these countries by issuing more favorable entry and exit policies and border tourism policies.

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