Think local, sell global

SANYA, Hainan - Hainan needs to maintain its cultural uniqueness and ensure it does not become "Disneyland" in its efforts to become an international tourism destination, said a senior official from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Taleb Rifai, the secretary-general of UNWTO, warned Hainan against rushing the construction of its tourism facilities, and said officials should not repeat mistakes made by Spain, which overdeveloped its tourism infrastructure, and created a bubble that burst during the global economic crisis.

Rifai said it was important that Hainan's cultural uniqueness remained at the heart of tourism on the island province.

"A city is not a Disneyland," said the secretary," Rifai told China Daily on the sidelines of the Ministerial Roundtable at 2010 Boao International Tourism Forum on Sunday.

"A city should be a place full of real people and real activities. It is very important that Hainan secures its uniqueness by engaging its local residents.

"You've got to have this assumption that local things are going to be popular with the tourists."

He said that he is impressed by the way China has facilitated and incorporated various sectors into its plan to develop Hainan into a tourism hotspot.

As tourism is particularly vulnerable to economic uncertainty and volatility, it is important that tourism is developed in a balanced way, Rifai said.

At the roundtable, Chinese ministerial officials from the sectors of commerce, transport, sports and culture administration and the state customs office discussed their support for Hainan's 10-year tourism plan.

(Source: China Daily)