China applauded as pillar of global travel

This year, Bayona will help promote the Global Tourism Economic Forum to connect China with international businesses in the tourism sector. For her, the promotion is crucial to better connect China with the world in order to advance international businesses focused on tourism.

Bayona recalled the first time she visited China when she was working with the Colombian government around the year 2006.

"I remember the thing that I loved most that time about China was how it maximizes traditions through its culture," she said.

She said that Chinese people have values such as welcoming diversity when it comes to cuisine, culture and education. But this does not mean that they will easily lose their traditions.

"For instance, it doesn't matter what kind of restaurants are near you, including international chains. You always have part of your (own cuisine) culture (even) inside of those international brands," she said.

Bayona finds this incredible because, at the end of the day, "you are preserving your history, your tradition and you're adapting international brands to the Chinese culture", which is "smart".

According to her, those main values of the Chinese today are key factors in attracting new tourists who would also like to understand Chinese culture. She hopes tourists to China can promote these unique values to the whole world.

She said she was amazed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region when she first visited China. "I love fashion and I am passionate about fashion. Hong Kong is a strong city, where I saw how people believe in fashion and how people through traditions can create new trends."