BEIJING -- The establishment of a tourism organization in Beijing on Saturday has trained the spotlight on China's tourism industry, which experts hope will spur the sluggish world economy.

The World Tourism Cities Federation, initiated by 37 cities around the world, is the first of its kind to be headquartered in China, highlighting the global significance of the tourist market in the world's most populous country.

Shao Qiwei, head of China's National Tourism Administration, said the global tourism industry has reported robust growth even amid the current economic slowdown. Studies by the World Travel & Tourism Council say tourism has constituted 9 percent of the world GDP, creating 250 million jobs worldwide.

Its importance has prompted many countries, including China, to highlight tourism in their national strategies, Shao said.

China is now the world's third-largest tourist destination and a major source of tourists, sending over 70 million travellers abroad in 2011, according to official statistics.

"Other countries around the world are trying to attract the Chinese travellers who are stepping out of China for their first time," said David Scowsill, president and CEO of the WTTC.

Scowsill also said China's domestic tourism market is taking off thanks to swift and massive infrastructure projects.

Chinese travellers are also welcomed overseas for their spending power, and many Western countries have expressed hopes of attracting more Chinese tourists, experts said.

The WTCF was initiated by 17 Chinese cities and 20 cities in other countries to enhance cooperation between tourist destinations and serve as a platform for releasing information, promoting projects and boosting the images of tourist destinations. The federation aims to include 100 cities within three years.

Chinese officials also hope the location of the federation in Beijing will help Chinese cities catch up with the world's most developed tourism cities and further improve their appeal overseas.