The Gorge Canyon & Fjord Tourism Summit successfully opened in Yichang on 6 September as a significant segment of the 16th China Yangtze River Three Gorges International Tourism Festival. The Summit brought together nearly 200 experts and scholars from China, Austria, Italy, East Africa and other regions to discuss ecological protection, cultural exchange and brand building.
During the Summit, participants witnessed the official release of the Yichang Declaration on Sustainable Tourism Development in Gorge, Canyon and Fjord Regions of the World, which provides an action guide and incorporates “Yichang Wisdom” for the sustainable development of global gorge, canyon, and fjord tourism.
Guests and delegates also experienced Yichang’s vibrant culture and modern charm through a nighttime cruise on the Yangtze River and by attending the opening ceremony of the 16th China Yangtze River Three Gorges International Tourism Festival.
Professor Karl Wöber, Chair of the Board of the International Academy for the Study of Tourism, emphasised Yichang’s rich ecological and cultural assets. He stated that the city has tremendous potential to become a global benchmark for sustainable tourism in gorge, canyon, and fjord regions.
Professor Wu Bihu, Founding President of the International Tourism Academy and President of the Geotourism Branch of China Tourism Association, began by highlighting the profound cultural heritage of China’s Yangtze River Three Gorges. He elaborated on the unique value of “place writing” in shaping the tourism brand of canyon areas. He introduced the innovative concept of “Gorge, Canyon and Fjord (GCF) Tourism” for the first time.
Professor Simone Bianco, Assistant Professor at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, explained how treating a canyon as a “platform” rather than a standalone product can enhance sustainability. He introduced the “Canyon Strategy Stack (CSS)” framework, which integrates strategic capabilities, flow design, and safety mechanisms to balance visitor experience with environmental protection.
The summit was guided by the International Tourism Studies Association (ITSA) and co-hosted by the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the Yichang Municipal People’s Government, and the China Geotourism and Nature-Based Tourism Association.
The Gorge, Canyon & Fjord Tourism Summit served not only as a high-level platform for academic and industry exchange but also as a significant milestone in the global transition of gorge, canyon and fjord tourism from fragmented initiatives to a united alliance, and from isolated development to coordinated growth. Building on the outcomes of this summit, Yichang will continue to serve as a pivotal hub, deepening cooperation with global partners to jointly advance gorge, canyon, and fjord tourism toward a future that is more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.
