To implement the national strategy of "ecological civilization," promote harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, and embody the development spirit of " Lucid waters and lush mountains as invaluable assets," vigorous efforts are being made to advance research and practices in mountain tourism and sustainable development in China. The International Conference on Mountain Tourism and National Parks will further the goals of national parks and sustainable mountain development, as well as strengthen mountain tourism in Sichuan.

In 1872, Yellowstone National Park in the United States was established. Over the past 150 years, national parks have spread across the world. China, with its expansive and diverse topography, is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. In 2021, five national parks were decreed, including Sanjiangyuan National Park, Giant Panda National Park, Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, and Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park. The primary purpose of establishing national parks is to protect the integrity of natural ecosystems while promoting scientific research, education, and recreation. Most Chinese national parks are located in mountainous areas, where indigenous peoples have lived for generations. With the establishment of new parks, old questions arise: How to leverage the rich natural and cultural environment of national parks to conduct mountain tourism activities, achieve ecological conservation, promote green tourism, and simultaneously enhance the well-being of local communities? How to implement a development model where humans coexist harmoniously with nature? Answering these and other key questions is the primary goal of the conference.  

Mountainous regions and the environments of national parks face increasingly severe challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, and land degradation. These challenges impact the viability of the tourism industry. National parks and mountain tourism have become global issues, requiring insights and investigations across the globe. Holding an international conference provides an excellent opportunity for an international cohort of scholars to collaborate and share experiences. Experts and scholars from various nations can share research and practical experiences, fostering understanding and collective responses to global environmental and sustainable development. By gathering knowledge and research outcomes from around the world, the conference aims to advance research in mountain tourism and sustainable development of national parks. The conference will offer essential information for governments and practitioners, offering engagement with policy design and practical outcomes. This will help to balance the development of mountain tourism with the preservation of environments and cultures, in accordance with sustainable development goals. Through the publication of the conference's debates, public awareness of mountain tourism and the sustainable development of national parks can be enhanced. By disseminating research, the conference aims to guide society's understanding of sustainable tourism, ignite public enthusiasm for protecting natural and cultural heritage, and encourage more people to actively participate in sustainable development.