Shanxi accelerates integrated development of cultural tourism

The report presented at the 13th Congress of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China emphasizes the vigorous development of the cultural tourism industry and its integration with health, agriculture, industry, commerce, and sports. "After hearing the report, my confidence has soared," said Tian Wenjie, Party secretary of the Jinzhong municipal bureau of culture and tourism.

Jinzhong delegates shared experiences and strategies on the integrated development of the cultural tourism sector during discussions at the Party congress on Oct 21.

Jinzhong has made significant strides in promoting integrated development in recent years. The city is shifting from a supply-side focus on tourist attractions to a demand-side emphasis on experiential needs.

By integrating Shanxi merchant culture, natural landscapes, urban development, and local life, Jinzhong has achieved a three-tiered transformation from "brand building" and "quality enhancing" to "urban image creation".

Qi Hongliang, Party secretary of Pingyao county, highlighted the need to adapt to tourists' evolving desires to not just "see the sights" but to "experience the sights". This involves shifting from resource dependency to innovation-driven development.

Pingyao is strategically planning its offerings, enhancing facilities outside its ancient city with high-end amenities, and optimizing hotels and homestays. The aim is to integrate dining, accommodation, travel, shopping, and entertainment with the ancient city's cultural essence, using diverse activities and immersive experiences to attract visitors of all ages.

Xing Changhong, director of the Jinzhong municipal committee office, emphasized the importance of developing region-specific tourism forms such as rural, educational, sports, winter, and health tourism. These efforts aim to transform natural beauty and cultural charm into enduring competitive advantages for the tourism industry.