The first conference of the International Sister Cities Tourism Alliance was held in the afternoon on Wednesday as part of the ongoing 2012 China International Friendship Cities Conference.

A nonprofit international organization for tourism cooperation among international sister cities, the alliance was established last year during the Chengdu International Sister Cities Week.

The renowned giant panda of Sichuan brings in tourists from across the world. [Photo/China Daily]

Through its avowed goals of friendship, equality, efficiency and mutual benefits, the alliance aims to help international sister cities with multilateral cooperation on tourism.

The agreement calls for member cities to open their tourism markets to each other as well as develop special travel routes exclusively for tourists from sister cities.

At the first alliance conference now under way, members are scheduled to approve regulations and announce a Chengdu Declaration on tourism cooperation.

The first 12 member cities of the alliance are Chengdu, Montpellier in France, Linz in Austria, Sheffield in the UK, Bonn in Germany, Fenge in Ireland, Edmonton in Canada, Gimcheon in Korea, Willoughby in Australia, Ubon in Thailand, Gisors in France and Perth in Australia.

The members will take turns as the chair country while its permanent secretariat remains in Chengdu.

liyu@chinadaily.com.cn