UNWTO expected to play larger role as tourism becomes the world’s biggest industry

Sept. 18， 2017 （Xinhua） -- The United Nations World Tourism Organization （UNWTO） is likely to play a larger role in the future as tourism has become the world’s biggest industry with an estimated 10% contribution to the global gross domestic product last year. The 22nd session of the UNWTO General Assembly held in Chengdu， China during Sept. 13-16 came under the framework of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. More than 1，300 delegates including tourism ministers from over 130 countries attended the UNWTO meeting in Chengdu. With a focus on sustainable development and tourism， the UNWTO this year has highlighted the importance of building partnerships for development.