The meeting to be held in Shanghai in early February will review and debate a high level proposal by WTTC to establish a WTTC China Initiative, using its recent experience in Latin America and India as a point of reference and focusing on a proposed mission, set of objectives, organizational structure, operation, financials and membership.

The Shanghai meeting follows the recent presentation and launch (October 2003) of a detailed report by WTTC on China�s Travel & Tourism to the government of China and to the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), the Chinese government body that monitors and regulates travel and tourism in China.

The report makes projections about the economic impact and growth of Travel & Tourism in China.  It also provides a series of policy recommendations intended to maximize the industry�s impact on both China and the world economy.

The February meeting will be hosted by Edouard Ettedgui, Managing Director of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Regional Chairman of the World Travel & Tourism Council, Giovanni Angelini, CEO & Managing Director of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and LJ Jia, Vice President & China Country Manager, American Express Company.

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, WTTC�s President, said:

�This meeting of China�s Travel & Tourism private sector leaders is an important first step in building a coalition of support and organization around the policy agenda that WTTC has developed for China and Hong Kong.  Our recent report and recommendations on China�s Travel & Tourism potential was well received by the public and private sector and now it�s time to translate this groundbreaking policy advice into action.�

WTTC�s Executive Vice President, Richard Miller reported that interest in the Forum is running extremely high and already includes many of China�s top Travel & Tourism Chairman and CEO�s.  Attendance at the meeting will be by invitation only to leading Travel & Tourism concerns currently operating or seeking to operate in China and Hong Kong.  Requests for invitation can be made by contacting WTTC�s offices in London by email at [email protected]

About the China Report
 The WTTC Country Report for China and China Hong Kong SAR is the latest in a series of reports produced by the World Travel & Tourism Council using standard�s developed by the United Nations Statistics Commission (called "Tourism Satellite Accounting") and a detailed independent policy assessment by leading Travel & Tourism analysts.  Research on the Report for China and China Hong Kong SAR began in the Fall of 2002 and was carefully vetted by an international steering committee of 40 leading Travel & Tourism industry leaders.  Report sponsors include: American Express, British Airways, GTA Travel, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.

About The World Travel & Tourism Council
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the forum for global business leaders comprising the presidents, chairs and CEOs of 100 of the world's foremost companies.  It is the only body representing the private sector in all parts of the Travel & Tourism industry worldwide.  Its members are leaders in all sectors of the industry, including accommodation, catering, entertainment, recreation, transportation and other travel-related services.  WTTC's mission is to raise awareness of the full economic impact of the world's largest generator of wealth and jobs - Travel & Tourism.  Governments are encouraged to unlock the industry's potential by adopting the Council's policy framework for sustainable tourism development.  Travel and Tourism is one of the world�s largest industries, employing some 200 million people and generating over 10% of the world�s GDP.