Participants in the First World Conference on Tourism for Development exchange views during a break in proceedings in Beijing in May. WANG ZHUANGFEI / CHINA DAILY

The First World Conference on Tourism for Development in Beijing in May discussed the achievements that the Chinese tourism industry has made in recent years and how the tourism industry aids global development.

Chinese tourism plays a broad role in the country’s economic and social development, said Li Jinzao, chairman of the China National Tourism Administration, at the conference.

The tourism industry accounted for more than 10.8 percent of China’s GDP last year, with 10.2 percent of the jobs created in the country coming from the sector.

Over the next five years China plans to alleviate poverty for 12 to 14 million people through the growth of the tourism industry, Li said.

Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Taleb Rifai said the conference was a great success, which has greatly increased China’s influence in the international community and helped the country promote its culture and tourism.

”China is a leader in tourism and a nation that knows exactly what tourism is able to do for economic and social development,” Rifai said.

With nearly 250 million tourist arrivals from and to China in 2015, the country plays a pivotal role in shaping the world tourism landscape, he said.

Isabel Hill, director of the National Travel and Tourism Office at the U.S. Department of Commerce, said the conference is the first about how tourism will advance the U.N.’s sustainable development goals, which include ending poverty.

She said holding the event in China is significant because the country has made strides in the development of its tourism industry, both domestically and internationally.

Representatives from 107 countries and 14 international organizations attended the tourism conference.

The event was jointly hosted by the Chinese…