The First Convention of International Sister Cities Tourism Alliance convenes in Chengdu on Sept 13.

Members of the International Sister Cities Tourism Alliance (ISCTA) reached a cooperation consensus at its first convention in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province.

The convention was held on the afternoon of Sept 13 after the 2012 China International Friendship Cities Conference concluded that morning.

The consensus, as part of the “Chengdu Declaration” adopted at the convention, calls for more tourism cooperation among the sister cities. The event enhances the cities’ competitiveness and supports them to expand their international market through market relationships and integrating tourism resources.

All 19 delegations from 15 countries attended the convention. During the convention six cities joined the alliance. They include Phoenix and Honolulu in the United States, Ljubljana in Slovenia, Maastricht in the Netherlands, Chiang Mai in Thailand and Haifa in Israel.

The ISCTA was established during the Chengdu International Friendship Cities Week in 2011. The 12 founding members were Chengdu in China, Montpellier in France, Linz in Austria, Sheffield in the U.K., Bonn in Germany, Fingal in Ireland, Edmonton in Canada, Ubon in Thailand, Willoughby in Australia, Gimcheon in Korea, Gisors in France and Perth in Australia.

The alliance is a nonprofit international organization for tourism cooperation among international sister cities. Its main principle is “Friendship, Equality, Efficiency and Win-Win.”

The secretariat of the alliance is permanently settled in Chengdu.