World Tourism Alliance established in Chengdu

The first General Assembly of the World Tourism Alliance is underway in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan province.

The World Tourism Alliance is officially established in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, September 12, 2017. [Photo: xsgou.com]

The Beijing-based World Tourism Alliance is a non-governmental and non-profit international tourism organization.

The group says its mandate is to reduce poverty and promote peace and development through tourism.

The WTA has 89 members from 29 countries and regions, including China, the United States, Germany, France and Japan.

China has become a major driver of international tourism in recent years. China now produces the most international tourists, and also boasts the world's largest domestic tourism market.

China is also the fourth most visited country in the world, with over 113 million international arrivals recorded in 2016.