Guizhou province is stepping up efforts to attract extended-stay tourists from Hong Kong, as it strives to capitalize on increasing tourism and boost cooperation with the special administrative region.
Representatives from the province in Southwest China introduced the region’s characteristic tourism resources, extended-stay tourism products and policies related to property buying at an international promotion event in Hong Kong on Sunday.
“Guizhou and Hong Kong are moving beyond economic and trade cooperation to forge cultural and human bonds. Our exchanges are shifting from frequent short time visits to long term residence,” said Lu Yongzheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guizhou Provincial Committee and head of the provincial publicity department.
“We invite Hong Kong friends not only to come to Guizhou for a sightseeing tour, but to stay in Guizhou for some time.”
Boasting breathtaking mountains and rivers, a pleasant climate, diverse cultural traditions, innovative tech applications and improving supporting facilities, Guizhou is focusing on three key elements — resources, tourism and services — to help develop the long-term tourism industry and accelerate efforts to build a national first-class sojourn destination, Lu said.
He said the province is making great efforts to create a favorable environment for long-stay tourists.
For example, the government is guiding local enterprises to develop sojourn living-focused properties with affordable pricing. Cultural, medical and other public service resources have also been integrated to provide quality services for long-stay tourists, especially those who are middle aged and the elderly.
The number of homestays across the province has risen by more than 30 percent, leading the country. Sojourn communities such as Sichuan-Chongqing Village, Jiangsu Village and Zhejiang Village have sprung up, attracting a large number of visitors from across China, Lu added.
Lu Changliang, deputy director of the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guizhou province, said the province has mapped out three “belts” for long-stay tourism. The first “belt” centers on Guiyang, Anshun, Liupanshui and Bijie, where tourists can escape from scorching heat and enjoy cool weather. The second “belt”, which features cultural experiences, covers Qiannan, Qiandongnan and Qianxinan. The third “belt”, with Zunyi and Tongren as its core, focuses on wellness.
Peter Lam Kin-ngok, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, said the HKSAR and Guizhou province have enormous potential for tourism cooperation, given their complementary resources.
While Hong Kong has developed international tourism marketing networks and diverse groups of international visitors, Guizhou boasts natural wonders, ethnic cultural treasures and huge potential across leisure vacation markets, he said.
“By leveraging Hong Kong’s global marketing network, we can promote the ‘Colourful Guizhou’ brand worldwide through overseas roadshows, promotion events or by establishing a dedicated Guizhou pavilion at international tourism fairs hosted in Hong Kong. In this way, we can let the world discover Guizhou’s unique charms,” Lam said.
Lam also expressed hope of deepened industry cooperation and exchanges between the two regions. “We should encourage more Hong Kong cultural tourism IP operating teams to make joint venture partnerships with Guizhou enterprises and jointly create blockbuster cultural tourism festival IPs,” he said.
“Meanwhile, renowned Hong Kong directors, musicians and performers are also encouraged to shoot films, TV dramas and documentaries in Guizhou. Leveraging the powerful appeal of audiovisual works, we can promote the province’s breathtaking landscapes and cultural customs to the world through the silver screen.”
Contact the writer at sally@chinadailyhk.com
