Over 100 representatives from countries including China, Thailand and Vietnam are gathered in Beijing to discuss how the tourism industry can help protect biodiversity and explore the direction of sustainable travel development on Monday.

The discussion was co-hosted by the Beijing office of World Wide Fund for Nature, the China Association of Travel Services and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, with attendees from government departments, non-profit organizations, the tourism industry and research institutions.

As one of the world's largest industries, the tourism sector plays a crucial role in global biodiversity conservation and regional economic development. However, countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, which are popular tourist destinations, are also hotspots for illegal wildlife trade. Illegal trading activities involving travelers pose a serious threat to wildlife populations and the ecological balance, according to WWF.

"The protection and restoration of biodiversity are crucial in sustainable travel, contributing to maintaining ecosystem health and enhancing the attractiveness of tourist destinations," said Yin Feng, chief engineer of the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

"Strengthening communication and cooperation among relevant stakeholders and delivering sustainable travel practices more accurately to tourists have become an important part of promoting sustainable lifestyles and fostering industry development."

The Sustainable Travel Alliance, jointly initiated by WWF, has grown from its initial 21 members to 50 member units.

"Our generation is acutely aware of the destructive consequences of neglecting environmental issues. More and more businesses and institutions are voluntarily conducting research on sustainable travel, promoting relevant themes, and innovating product services with the support of WWF," said Zhou Fei, deputy director of the WWF Beijing office.