China continues to play a pivotal role in the global tourism landscape, not only because of its massive outbound traveler base and the swift recovery of inbound arrivals, but also as a leading investor in infrastructure and hotel development abroad, Natalia Bayona, executive director of the UN Tourism Organization, said in a recent interview with China Daily.

Bayona highlighted China's visa facilitation and visa-free policies for neighboring markets like Malaysia and select EU countries as game changers for inbound tourism recovery. She noted that China has risen to become the world's second-largest investor in overseas tourism projects, sharing best practices in infrastructure, innovation, and balanced urban-rural development.

On sustainability, Bayona praised the nation's green development plans: fifty eco-destinations have earned certification for low-carbon travel, and China is rolling out electric buses, green trains, eco-certification schemes, smart tourism solutions, and robust community engagement to foster truly sustainable tourism.