New plan advances Yichang's tourism industry development

By Chen Si

Hubei Province launched its three-year global plan to develop 1,000 partners in 100 cities across the world on September 6. The Zhiyin Hubei Global Partnership program was announced at the 2025 Hubei Global Tour Operators Conference & Yichang Culture and Tourism Development Conference held in Yichang.

The launching ceremony of the Zhiyin Hubei  Global Partnership Program. Photo provided by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Hubei Province

The event was jointly hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Hubei Province and the Yichang Municipal People's Government. More than 600 people from 41 countries and regions participated, including more than 220 overseas travel merchants.

The 2025 Hubei Global Tour Operators Conference & Yichang Cultural and Tourism Development Conference held in Yichang. Photo provided by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Hubei Province

At the event, the organizers introduced the culture resources and tourism destinations of Hubei Province and Yichang City to participants.

At present, Hubei is making every effort to build a world-renowned culture and tourism destination. Yichang also released its own plan.
 

Eric Duluc, President of the International Tourism Federation, delivers a speech at the conference. Photo provided by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Hubei Province

Eric Duluc, President of the International Tourism Federation, delivered a speech stating that since assuming the presidency of the International Tourism Federation in 1998, he has visited China many times, and Hubei in particular left a deep impression on him. Wudang Mountain, the Yellow Crane Tower, the chimes, and the poems of Qu Yuan were all topics he often mentions when talking to friends.

Duluc went on to say that he would provide media publicity, targeted promotional activities, and international events to support the promotion of Hubei tourism in the European market.

Signing ceremony of the Tourism Cooperation Agreement. Photo provided by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Hubei Province

The signing ceremony of the Tourism Cooperation Agreement ("Bringing Visitors to Hubei") also took place at the conference. A number of cultural and tourism deals were signed with Hubei.

These partnerships include cultural and tourism hybrid commercial projects, health resorts, and smart tourism platforms. These initiatives will further improve Hubei's cultural tourism industry chain and provide significant upgrades to the industry.

In addition, at the Gorge Canyon Fjord Tourism Summit on the same day, Yichang reached cooperation consensus with representatives from several gorge and canyon scenic areas around the world. The city will work with partners to promote resource sharing and standardization for gorge and canyon tourism.