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Founding Advisor
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt FRGS FRAS

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt FRGS FRAS

Founder & Director: Meaningful Tourism Centre Ltd.
Meaningful Tourism Centre Ltd.
Germany / Nepal 🇩🇪 Germany / Nepal Member since 2026
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Meaningful TourismChina Outbound TourismSustainable Tourism DevelopmentDestination Strategy & PlanningTourism Policy & GovernanceCommunity-Based TourismTourism Research & EducationInternational Tourism DevelopmentTourism Market IntelligenceTourism Training & Capacity Building
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"Meaningful tourism creates value not only for visitors, but also for destinations, communities, businesses, and future generations."

About

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt FRGS FRAS is an internationally recognised tourism scholar, author, consultant, and one of the world's leading experts on China outbound tourism. He is the Founder and Director of the Meaningful Tourism Centre Ltd., a non-profit organisation based in London and Kathmandu, which includes the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) and the Meaningful Tourism Group (MTG).

With more than 50 years of engagement with China and nearly four decades of international tourism experience, he has worked across academia, governments, destinations, international organisations, and the private sector in 88 countries.

Professor Arlt is the creator of the Meaningful Tourism paradigm, promoting tourism that creates lasting value for destinations, communities, visitors, businesses, and the environment. Throughout his career, he has combined academic research with practical implementation to support more resilient, responsible, and future-oriented tourism worldwide.

Professional Journey

Founder & Director
Meaningful Tourism Centre Ltd. • 2024 – Present

Leading the global development of the Meaningful Tourism framework through research, destination collaboration, education, and international partnerships.

Director
China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) • 2004 – Present

Founded and leads one of the world's leading independent research institutes specialising in China's outbound tourism market.

Professor of International Tourism Management
German Universities • 2002 – 2020

Taught and conducted research in international tourism management while supervising academic programmes and mentoring future tourism professionals.

Visiting Professor
Universities in China, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand • Ongoing

Delivered lectures, research collaborations, and academic leadership across internationally recognised institutions.

Achievements

Professional experience across 88 countries
Global tourism practice •
Professor of International Tourism Management
German Universities • 2002–2020
Founder
China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) • 2004
Founder & Director
Meaningful Tourism Centre Ltd. • 2024
Creator of the Meaningful Tourism paradigm
Meaningful Tourism Centre •
Keynote Speaker and Conference Chair
100+ international conferences •
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS)
RGS •
Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society (FRAS)
RAS •
Advisor and collaborator
UN Tourism, WTTC, ETC, WTCF, and PATA •
China's Outbound Tourism
Routledge •
The Return of Chinese Tourists
Routledge •
Welcoming the New Chinese Outbound Tourists
Publication •
88 Practical Ways to Prepare for the New Wave of Chinese Tourists
Publication •

Contributions to TourismShift

  • Provides strategic guidance on TourismShift's long-term vision and development.
  • Shares expertise on Meaningful Tourism, destination development, and global tourism trends.
  • Supports collaboration between academia, destinations, industry, and policymakers.
  • Advises on knowledge exchange initiatives and international partnerships.
  • Strengthens TourismShift's global academic and professional network.