The 2019 WTA·Xianghu Dialogue opens in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Sept 19. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

The 2019 WTA·Xianghu Dialogue opened in Hangzhou in Zhejiang province on Sept 19 -- with hundreds of international travel and tourism leaders in attendance.

Hosted by the Hangzhou-based World Tourism Alliance, this year's event, now in its second year, focuses on changes in the tourism industry and the development trends of the world economy and tourism.

As a means of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, tourism has become an important force connecting the world, deepening cooperation and promoting development, Duan Qiang, first president of the alliance, told the opening ceremony.

Official statistics revealed that China's tourism industry continued to grow in 2018, with 5.97 trillion yuan ($842.37 billion) in tourism revenue generated.

Initiated in 2017, the WTA is a non-profit organization aiming to deepen tourism cooperation among its members and facilitate sustainable development of the industry worldwide.

The number of members of the alliance has grown from 89 in the initial stages to 198 now, from 39 countries and regions around the world.

The secretariat of the WTA is headquartered on the stunning scenic area of Xianghu Lake in Hangzhou.