The CEO of a leading Chinese online travel agency said he was inspired by President Xi Jinping's remarks about "smart tourism" at the World Internet Conference as environmental protection could boost tourism development in the long run.

Yu Dunde, chairman and CEO of Tuniu.com. [Photo/Xinhua]

Yu Dunde, also chairman and co-founder of Tuniu.com, said the tourism development in Wuzhen,East China's Zhejiang province, where the conference is being held, is a good example for the relations between tourism and environmental protection.

The well preserved and beautiful historic buildings in the small town attract visitors from all around the world every year.

Yu said Xi's remarks about the innovation of Internet economy also serve as a guide for his industry's development.

He said he is confident that "smart tourism" would definitely develop better in the future.