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LONDON - The World Travel & Tourism Council new executive vice president Richard R. Miller is to head a new multi-sectoral initiative focused around China.

A release noted the promotion was in recognition of the outstanding contribution that Richard has made to the Council over the past thirteen years and follows the highly successful launch of the WTTC China Report. Most recently, Miller has been focused on managing and growing the production and delivery of WTTC's economic research.

He will assume the additional responsibility of establishing WTTC's China Initiative, which is expected to involve more than 40 top chief executives from major private sector organisations working with national and regional governments to help China maximise its tourism benefits.

The first top-level meeting of the China Initiative will take place in early 2004 in Shanghai and is being hosted by Edouard Ettedgui, managing director, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group; Giovanni Angelini, CEO and managing director, Shangri-la Hotels & Resorts; and LJ Jia, vice president & China country manager, American Express Company.

WTTC's President, Jean-Claude Baumgarten, praised Miller's work to date, especially on the China Report.

During one of the industry's most difficult periods, the SARS crisis, Richard Miller was able to capitalise on the situation and deliver one of WTTC's most important successes to date. I am delighted that he will be so closely involved in moving forward with the China initiative.