The 3rd International (China) Hiking Forum Opens in October

       As we enter the second decade of the 21st century, public awareness of fitness in China continues to rise, and all sectors of society are placing increasing emphasis on improving people's livelihoods and building a leisure-oriented society. To better promote the development of hiking in China, and to explore the concept of integrating leisure into life from the perspectives of public fitness and leisure tourism—meeting the health, leisure, and happiness needs of citizens—the International Ramblers' Association (hereinafter referred to as IVV), the International Hiking Federation, the Tourism Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University, and the People's Government of Zhaoqing Municipality will jointly host the "3rd International (China) Hiking Forum – and the Outdoor Leisure Tourism Resources Summit Forum" on October 20 this year.

       The International (China) Hiking Forum is the first professional hiking forum in China, initiated by the China headquarters of the International Ramblers' Association (hereinafter referred to as CVA). Aiming to promote hiking and develop hiking tourism, the forum is held biennially. Since its inception in 2008, two successful editions have been held, making it the most representative forum in China’s hiking field. The forum is characterized by the publication of professional proceedings; the first and second editions have been archived by the National Library. The previous two forums were held at Beijing Normal University and Peking University’s Centennial Hall, respectively, featuring speeches by numerous domestic and international experts from countries including Canada, Japan, and Germany, as well as the support and contributions of renowned sociologists such as Yu Dan and education experts like the President of Peking University.

       This year’s forum, themed “Science, Social Responsibility, and Tourism,” will discuss hot topics, challenges, and future directions in the hiking field. From the perspective of hiking, it aims to provide ideas and methods for improving the physical and mental well-being of the public, enhancing the environment, protecting ecological and cultural heritage, and developing a green economy. Currently, the forum organizing committee has not only invited hiking experts from Switzerland and Japan to discuss Alpine hiking management models and youth hiking education in Japan, but has also garnered close attention from Professor Hu Yang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference who proposed the motion to establish a “National Hiking Day.”

       Additionally, during the forum, CVA, in collaboration with the Tourism Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, will publish hiking-related content in the China Tourism Green Paper for the first time. This move signifies that hiking tourism is gradually gaining government attention and beginning to move toward organized, standardized, and professional development.

       This year’s forum coincides with the IVV Annual General Meeting being held in Zhaoqing, Guangdong—the first time the IVV Annual Meeting is taking place in China. Representatives, experts, and scholars from 58 countries’ international rambling organizations will gather in Zhaoqing, drawing global attention to China. To leverage the influence of the IVV Annual Meeting, Zhaoqing City and CVA will also launch China’s first “International Hiking Tourism Festival” during the event. The festival will include the 3rd International (China) Hiking Forum & Outdoor Leisure Tourism Resources Summit Forum, the selection of China’s Top Ten Hikers, the 2012 International Ramblers’ (China · Zhaoqing) Star Lake Greenway Hiking Event, and the International Ramblers’ (China · Zhaoqing) Hiking Field Study. Through four segments—theoretical analysis, scientific research, practical participation, and leadership demonstration—the event will issue a “National Leisure Lifestyle Initiative” to the whole of society.

       Here, the forum organizing committee sincerely invites individuals from all walks of life to participate in this forum. We are also specially soliciting papers on topics such as hiking and people's livelihood, health and happiness, social responsibility, hiking tourism and the leisure industry, and the development of a green economy. We look forward to your presence. Let’s meet in scenic Zhaoqing together!