On October 20, a significant event highlighting the integration of tourism marketing and the high-quality development of Yangtze River cruise tourism took place in Wanzhou, Chongqing. Ten organizations from the Wanzhou and Hubei regions signed a “Joint Initiative for the High-Quality Development of Yangtze River Cruise Tourism,” aiming to establish the Yangtze International Golden Tourism Belt and transform it into a world-class inland cruise tourism destination.
In an interview, Gao Ziqing, the Deputy District Mayor of Wanzhou, emphasized the importance of the Yangtze River cruise industry, stating, “As a representative of global inland river tourism, the Yangtze cruise is not only fundamental to the Three Gorges tourism market but also acts as a barometer for Yangtze tourism. It’s essential for building the Yangtze International Golden Tourism Belt.” Gao announced that Wanzhou is accelerating the implementation of high-quality cruise projects, which includes upgrading existing cruise ships and supporting the development of unique and personalized vessels. They also plan to introduce sightseeing boats like the “Wanzhou Water Bus” to cater to various consumer levels, ensuring a comprehensive range of quick sightseeing products. Additionally, Wanzhou aims to provide seamless services for cruise companies, enhancing the visitor experience and promoting local products.
Highlighting the need for collaboration, Gao noted, “The Yangtze cruise tourism sector is vast and interconnected, requiring a strong integration of various stakeholders.” Wanzhou plans to establish a cooperative platform for the Yangtze cruise tourism alliance to facilitate communication among cruise companies. The goal is to enrich the product offerings and deepen the tourism partnership within the broader Three Gorges and Daba Mountains areas, enhancing resource and product integration across the region.
Wanzhou also aims to upgrade its signature tourism offerings, such as the Wanzhou High-Canyon Lake and the Wanzhou Waterfall. Together with cultural tourism departments along the Three Gorges, they will develop premium water-based tours and combined land-water itineraries, exploring opportunities for conversion between different types of traffic and maximizing the overall impact of cruise tourism.
Jin Hongqiang, the Deputy Mayor of Yichang City in Hubei Province, added that efforts would be made to modernize the hardware facilities of Three Gorges cruises. He stressed the importance of fostering innovation and diversity in cruise tourism, as well as delving into the cultural aspects of cruises. By incorporating Yangtze culture and Three Gorges stories into their services, they plan to create adventure tourism and educational travel products, making the experience of sailing the Three Gorges cruise a profound cultural journey.
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