By Yuling Chen

On November 8, 2018, Chongqing and Hubei Rotating Chairman Meeting of Three Gorges Regional Cooperation on Tourism took place in Wanzhou District, Chongqing Municipality, at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

The Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development and Hubei Provincial Commission of Tourism Development signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of 2018 Chongqing and Hubei Three Gorges Regional Cooperation on Tourism. The two sides are jointly to build the Yangtze River Three Gorges into the world's largest ecotourism demonstration zone and set it as an exemplary for international ecological tourism.

The Yangtze River Three Gorges

Plan to promote ecological tourism in the Three Gorges region

At the meeting, the Chongqing tourism authority proposed a plan to promote ecological tourism in the Three Gorges region. It emphasized on economy, culture and ecology of the region, with five development ideas of innovation, coordination, green, openness and sharing. By 2020, green ecotourism in the Three Gorges tourism will be popular by government guidance, market operation and social participation. Moreover, integrating ecotourism industries, building ecotourism demonstration zone and connecting ecotourism facilities go with continual efforts.

MOU for cooperation on the Three Gorges tourism

At the meeting, two tourism authorities in Chongqing and Hubei signed MOU for cooperation on the Three Gorges tourism.

It aims to turn the Yangtze River Three Gorges into a signature example of China’s green development and ecotourism.  Based on the magnificent Three Gorges, its culture, the unique geology and good ecology, relevant parties endeavor to develop emerging forms of business operation, including cruises, eco-agriculture sightseeing, folk customs experience, history and culture research as well as scientific investigation.

In order to build the ecotourism demonstration zone, ecotourism will lead regional economic development as a strategic and emerging industry. United efforts, from common ecotourism market, publicity video to slogan, logo and brand, will consolidate the integral image of the Three Gorges and improve its influence and attractiveness both at home and abroad. Moreover, joint efforts are under way to improve connected public service facilities from city to city.

Joint efforts of Chongqing and Hubei to promote Three Gorges tourism

In terms of brand marketing, Chongqing and Hubei have displayed the Yangtze River tourism and improved its brand popularity. As for products exploration, Chongqing promotes four-season tourism and Wuhan, capital city of Hubei Province, enriches tourism products by proposing traveling the Three Gorges by water, water and etc. Moreover, the municipality and the province jointly better tourism environment by law enforcement.

Statistics about Three Gorges tourism

From January to September, arrivals in the Three Gorges region approached 170 million visits and tourism revenue stood at RMB 134.57 billion, both increased by over 20% compared with the same period of last year. Statistics also showed that, in 2017, the Three Gorges region received 190 million visits with tourism revenue of RMB 142.39 billion. Two cities at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River achieved remarkable success to promote tourism cooperation in the region.