Ever since the Beijing Olympics, tourism has grown to become a major economic, cultural and social plus for China as it celebrates its long and special history with the rest of the world.

So, too, with the rise of a middle class, more Chinese tourists are travelling around the world, learning about other cultures and enhancing the economies of the countries visited. For example, in 2015, China was Australia's second largest inbound market for visitor arrivals and top in total spending (A$8.3 billion) and visitor nights.

Australia's Tourism 2020 Strategy estimates the Chinese spending potential could reach $13 billion by 2020.

September 27 is World Tourism Day, established in 1980 by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which is promoting responsible, sustainable and accessible tourism. One of the ways it does this is through a Global Code of Ethics for Tourism which seeks to maximize the economic benefits of tourism, but in an environmentally sustainable way.

The UNWTO notes that:

? International tourist arrivals grew by 4.6 percent in 2015 to 1,184 million

? In 2015, international tourism generated US$ 1.5 trillion

? There will be growth in international tourist arrivals of between 3.5 percent and 4.5 percent in 2016

? By 2030, the figure could reach 1.8 billion (UNWTO Tourism Towards 2030)

Membership in the UNWTO includes 157 countries, six associate members and over 500 affiliate members coming from the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourist authorities.

Other activities include market intelligence, promoting sustainable and offering technical assistance to developing countries seeking to promote sustainable tourism. Best practice in tourism in the 21st century seeks to eliminate earlier models of tourism that too often harmed the environment, exploited the local population and failed to result in long-term creation of jobs and the development of a sustainable economy.

This type of tourism was insensitive to the local culture and understandably was offensive to those local citizens who had to suffer through it.

Today's tourism recognizes the congruence of economic development, sustainability and preservation of local heritage and culture. Tourism advancement should minimize any negative economic, environmental, and social impacts, and focus on enhancing the quality of lives of local people, who must be key stakeholders in such developments.

Done well, sustainable tourism can provide the capital required to preserve the local environment, culture and heritage. Increasingly, this is about education so we all learn about the history and culture of different peoples. We see that we have much in common and also much we can learn from one another.

With the Paralympics having finished in Rio, it is also timely that the theme for World Tourism Day 2016 is promoting universal accessibility. It is important for tourism developers and operators to recognize and support the rights of all to experience the incredible diversity and beauty of our planet and its people. To enhance this aspect, we need better information about the degree of accessibility of various tourist attractions, hotels, transportation and so on.

Ongoing law reform is required in such areas as transport, accommodation, signage, and we must also have an appropriate legal framework that ensures the goals of sustainable tourism. This includes adequate contract laws, consumer laws, customs laws, property development laws, environmental protection laws, laws facilitating government-private sector partnerships, financing laws, dispute resolution, laws governing accessibility, competition and telecommunications, just to mention a few.

Looking to the future, the United Nations has declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. Resolution 15094 passed by the General Assembly recognizes,

"the importance of international tourism, and particularly of the designation of an international year of sustainable tourism for development, in fostering better understanding among peoples everywhere, in leading to a greater awareness of the rich heritage of various civilizations and in bringing about a better appreciation of the inherent values of different cultures, thereby contributing to the strengthening of peace in the world."

This decision follows the recognition by the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) that "well-designed and well-managed tourism" can contribute to the three dimensions of sustainable development, to job creation and to trade.

Ultimately, tourism is also a major force for world peace. An example is the recent giant flash mob in Washington on U.S. Labor Day that celebrated and promoted tourism between the China and the U.S. and the importance of both Chinese and U.S. citizens learning more about and deepening their understanding of one another.

Eugene Clark is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.h5a3.com/opinion/eugeneclark.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.