Hohhot outlines future tourism strategy

Visitors gather at the Dazhao Temple in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Oct 2, 2018. [Photo/IC]

Hohhot municipal government released details of a new strategy promoting the integration of its culture and tourism industries on March 12.

The government aims to deepen the integration of the two industries, build new high-profile cultural scenic areas, as well as develop strategic tourism projects with investment of more than 1 billion yuan ($149 million) each.

Hohhot also plans to develop new travel routes for tourists, produce radio and television documentaries about its attractions, as well as TV shows with cultural elements from the local area.

According to the new strategy, the cultural tourism industry is expected to see an annual increase of 20 percent in added value and become a pillar industry for the city by 2020.  

Here are the key points of the newly released strategy:

1. Creating tourism products with local cultural elements

(1) The government will pay special attention to the development of tourist areas including Zhaojun cultural tourist area, Chilechuan cultural tourist area and Mengniu Industrial Scenic Area.

(2) The government will build one or two national 5A-level scenic spots, including upgrading Chilechuan cultural tourist area, Shenquan ecological tourist resort and Huhtala tourist area into autonomous region-level tourist sites.

(3) The government will give its full support to the development of red tourism (tourism associated with the Communist Party of China), through sites such as Ulanhu Memorial Hall and other tourist destinations that record revolutionary history.

(4) The government intends to accelerate the innovation of cultural tourist products, attract related businesses and projects, and promote the construction of cultural and creative industry parks. It will also actively organize night markets for tourists, create cultural industry clusters and attract investment from famous enterprises to establish cultural theme parks, in order to build a regional tourist center in the city.

2. Building characteristic industrial clusters

(1) The government intends to strengthen the management of cultural industry parks and bases, and establish national cultural industry demonstration parks.

(2) The government intends to build intangible cultural heritage museums and bases to provide better protection for intangible cultural heritage.

3. Launching new cultural tourism itineraries

Several new suggested routes for tourists will be set up to cater to different preferences, varying by length and focus.  

4. Building intangible cultural heritage museums

In order to develop cultural tourism, the government will promote the building of museums, and encourage businesses, individuals and social organizations to establish museums with local characteristics.

Besides, repairs for significant historical sites such as the Great Wall should be carried out and precious ancient towns, villages and blocks should be protected and restored.

5. Developing markets for performing arts

The government intends to take steps to develop markets for performing arts that promote cultural tourism, and it will facilitate the construction of theaters in popular tourist cities and scenic areas. In addition, it will work to attract famous teams to create new types of performance by applying advanced technologies such as 3D, 4D and digital simulation.