Hechi steps up to boost cultural tourism

Aerial view of Bama Yao autonomous region, Hechi. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

In recent years, Hechi has vigorously developed global tourism through measures like launching projects, creating brands, and broadening financing channels, making the tourism economy increasingly important to the city's total economy.

Since 2013, the average annual growth rate of the total number of tourists and total tourist consumption in Hechi has been 22.83 percent and 29.56 percent respectively. The domestic and foreign tourists reception, total tourism revenue, as well as tourism fixed asset investment have all hit record best levels.

At present, Hechi has built a number of high-end and distinctive tourism projects with great influence. A total of 89 projects with an investment of 2.96 billion yuan ($417.93 million) have been launched at Bama International Tourism Zone since 2013. The Shenzhen-Bama Big Health Cooperation Special Pilot Zone was approved in September 2018 to be built into an international healthcare base focusing on health tourism, healthcare for seniors, healthcare medicine, the health management industry, as well as health food and health sports.

From 2013 to 2019, Hechi's number of national 4A-level scenic spots increased from five to 20, while its number of star-rated hotels increased from 47 to 54. In 2019, the city received 450.59 million tourists, an increase of 249.63 percent from 2013, while total tourism consumption was 55.289 billion yuan, an increase of 387.56 percent from 2013.

Women of the Zhuang ethnic group sing folk songs to greet guests in a scenic area of Yizhou district, Hechi. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

The improving infrastructure and service level has promoted the upgrading of the cultural tourism industry, as well as further enhanced Hechi's image. The city's colorful and unique folk culture, including folk songs of the Maonan ethnic group, cultural heritages of the Baiku Yao ethnic group, and Caidiao Opera Liusanjie of the Zhuang ethnic group, have been performed in countries like Australia, France, Italy, the United States, and Thailand.