Yantai charts new course for cultural tourism at landmark conference

Yantai in East China's Shandong province hosted its first High-Quality Cultural and Tourism Industry Development Conference from July 26 to 27, bringing together over 260 industry leaders, experts, and travel operators to explore collaboration and growth opportunities.

The two-day event featured investment promotions, site inspections, policy announcements, and partnership agreements.

Yantai, the first prefecture-level city in northern China to surpass a GDP of 1 trillion yuan ($139 billion), showcased its cultural tourism sector as a key engine for high-quality development.

During the conference, Yantai unveiled its three-year action plan (2026–28), aiming to establish "Wonderland Coastal Tour" as a signature brand. By the end of 2028, the city targets 130 million visitors and 152 billion yuan in tourism revenue. The plan outlines six major initiatives covering spatial optimization, new consumption opportunities, industry integration, cultural enrichment, marketing, and service upgrades.

The city also signed strategic agreements with partner cities including Dalian, Wuxi, and Kaifeng to expand cross-regional tourism networks. A cultural tourism gift package offering discounts on attractions, hotels, and transport was launched to enhance visitor experiences.

In 2025, Yantai welcomed over 100 million tourists, generating more than 120 billion yuan in revenue — both exceeding 11 percent year-on-year growth. The conference marks a new chapter for Yantai as it leverages cultural tourism to drive sustainable urban development.