'China Bound•Beijing' smart English cultural tourism platform launched
BEIJING, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China Daily:
While digital technologies are reshaping the tourism industry and making travel more efficient and accessible, they can also foster human connections and cooperation, and safeguard communities and culture to drive tourism growth, participants at a cultural and tourism event said on Wednesday.
They made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development 2026 in Beijing's Shougang Park.
Hosted by the World Tourism Cities Federation, or WTCF, and co-organized by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the conference attracted representatives of the WTCF's member cities, heads of international organizations, cross-border travel traders, diplomatic envoys to China and experts from more than 50 countries and regions.
Themed "Smart Tourism, Shared Prosperity", the conference runs through Friday and is being held amid the ongoing 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services.
"Our responsibility is not to choose between residents and visitors, but to build a model in which both can thrive. Smart tourism gives us practical tools to achieve this balance. For example, digital platforms can improve accessibility, multilingual information and journey planning," said Olaf McKay, mayor of Valletta, the capital of Malta.
He added that China's visa-free policy is making the country more accessible for Maltese citizens, especially young people and students, enabling them to experience China's traditions and culture firsthand.
Ben Montgomery, vice-chairwoman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, a not-for-profit membership association headquartered in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, agreed. "Artificial intelligence, data analytics and digital platforms are reshaping how people discover, book and experience destinations worldwide. As we embrace these tools, we must remember a fundamental truth: Tourism is ultimately about people," she said.
She added that the true value of the tourism industry lies in human connection — by linking visitors with local communities, bridging cultures and fostering shared understanding across borders.
"Beijing is a city where centuries of rich history seamlessly meet modern innovation. … Today is about turning ideas into practical collaborations through partnerships, matchmaking and open exchanges," Montgomery said.
Dai Bin, director of the China Tourism Academy, noted that tourism allows international visitors to get close to authentic daily life in China and try out Chinese services. He said that Beijing has rolled out a number of AI-backed, visitor-friendly initiatives, such as cross-regional tax refunds, providing a referable model for AI-driven cultural and tourism applications.
Joseph Daniel Lema, a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the United States, unveiled the World Tourism Cities Development Report (2025-26) by the WTCF at the event.
The report examines the opportunities and challenges in safety governance, technology adoption, industrial integration, cultural heritage, brand building and regional coordination, and offers forward-looking and actionable policy recommendations.
The top 10 cities in the World Tourism Cities Development Comprehensive Ranking are New York, Tokyo, Paris, London, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Milan, Istanbul and Dubai.
"Beijing has moved up its ranking, reflecting the strength of cultural resources, smart governance and safety assurance," Lema said.
One-stop gateway
At the conference, China Daily and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism jointly launched the "China Bound•Beijing" English cultural tourism platform, offering international visitors a new one-stop gateway to explore Beijing.
The smart platform includes an English-language website (chinabound.cn/beijing), as well as dedicated pages on the Alipay and WeChat mini-programs of China Bound. It provides services ranging from itinerary planning to AI-powered assistance, enabling overseas travelers to experience the unique beauty of Beijing.
"We aim to tell Beijing's cultural-tourism stories in a language overseas audiences understand, and translate the city's resource advantages into inbound tourism appeal. We promote immersive experiences such as intangible cultural heritage to enable inbound visitors to stay longer for in-depth travel," said Zheng Fang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
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Digital tech helps drive travel industry growth
Submarine Networks World x Subsea Security World 2026: the flagship annual event for the global subsea industry returns to Singapore
SINGAPORE, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Submarine Networks World 2026 (organised by Terrapinn), steps up another level and will be welcoming over 1,500 subsea fibre leaders and 150+ industry speakers from across the globe to Sands EXPO & Convention Centre in Singapore on September 23rd and 24th.
The introduction of the new Subsea Security World theatre, focused on the biggest talking point of the last twelve months, increases attendance and participation from security sector specialists, national and regional government entities, navy, coastguard, policymakers and academics from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Oceania.
"Subsea cables connect the world and protecting them has never mattered more. With the launch of Subsea Security World alongside our flagship event, 2026 brings together the commercial and security sides of the industry in one place for the first time. We're thrilled to welcome back the global subsea community, as well as the policy makers and defence specialists shaping its future, to Singapore for what will be the largest edition yet, and the edition the industry has been waiting for", Paul Clark, Managing Director (Asia), Terrapinn.
Everyone from cable owners/operators, consortium members, technology providers, innovators, consultants, service partners, government entities, financiers, surveying companies – the whole industry - will be onsite at the true 'one-stop shop' for any subsea cable project.
Meet with more than 80 sponsors, exhibitors and partners, including Title Sponsor - Nokia, Diamond Sponsors - Ciena and HMN Tech and Gold Sponsors ASN, APTelecom, BAE Systems, Center3, Digital Realty, EXFO, FiberHome, Fibersense, Huawei, Prysmian, ShinewayTech, SMD, Solwake, Starboard Maritime Intelligence and Telecom Egypt.
Attendees will hear from 150+ influential speakers from every inhabited continent around the world. Both mornings begin with the daily Keynote sessions, followed by 4 specialist theatres each day - Strategy, Cable, Data Centres & CLS, Network, O&M and Subsea Security World.
Keynote Speakers include:
- Alan Mauldin, Research Director, TeleGeography
- Andy Palmer-Felgate, Submarine Cable Engineer, Meta
- Giuseppe Valentino, VP Product Management, Backbone & Infrastructure Solutions, Sparkle
- Nelson McMillan, Royal Navy Maritime Domain Awareness Adviser, Southeast Asia, UK Ministry of Defence
- Kent Bressie, Partner – HWG LLP / Legal Advisor, ICPC
- Nadia Krivetz, Director, Cable Resilience & Connectivity Centre, DFAT Australia
- Captain Brett Dawe, Chief of Navy Liaison Officer to the Republic of Singapore Navy, Royal Australian Navy
- Sean Bergin, President & Co-Founder, APTelecom
- Bevan Slattery, Founder, SUBCO
- Mark Procter, Deputy CEO, Stavian HighTech Infrastructure
- Ambrogio Michetti, Chief Corporate & Revenue Officer, Sparkle
- Amajit Gupta, Group CEO and MD, Lightstorm
- Jim Fagan, Chief Executive Officer, EXA Infrastructure
- Sasha Pearson, Policy Analyst, European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM)
- Woon Sien Loh, Senior Director, Infrastructure Planning & Market Development, Info-Communications Media Development Authority (IMDA)
- Emily Kiernan, Head of Strategy and Investments, Telstra Digital Infrastructure
- Robert Pepper, Senior Fellow, Global Digital Inclusion Partnership
- Walid Wakim, Chief Technology Officer of Systems, Nokia
- Savy Wei, Senior Network Solution Manager, HMN Tech
- Amit Malik, Vice President, APJI Sales, Ciena
For event information and the full conference agenda, visit https://www.terrapinn.com/ExperienceSNW2026
PRNewswire is the Official Media Partner of Submarine Networks World x Subsea Security World 2026.
Press attendance is complimentary. Enquiries should be directed to:
Jessica Foong
Terrapinn Pte Ltd
Jessica.foong@terrapinn.com
About Submarine Networks World x Subsea Security World 2026:
Submarine Networks World x Subsea Security World 2026 will take place on 23-24 September 2026 at Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore. Firmly established as the world's largest annual gathering of the global subsea communications community, Submarine Networks World is the dedicated platform to exchange knowledge, explore the latest projects, develop strategies and form lucrative new partnerships to drive the industry forward. For 2026, Subsea Security World joins the event for the first time, bringing together the public, private and policy-making stakeholders shaping the future of cable security and protection.
About Terrapinn:
Terrapinn has been sparking ideas, innovations and relationships that transform business for over 30 years. Using our global footprint, we bring innovators, disrupters and change agents together, discussing and demonstrating the technology, strategies and personalities that are changing the way the world does business. Whether you're looking to make new connections, introduce a product or inspire change in your industry, we invite you to join us as agitators of change. Terrapinn – spark something.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Submarine Networks World x Subsea Security World 2026 - enacting GUIDE starts here!
