Many opportunities for tourism cooperation between ASEAN and China

As a locality with many advantages in developing tourism and culture, Shandong province, China is aiming to build a smokeless industry into a pillar in the province's economic structure, opening up many opportunities for tourism cooperation between ASEAN countries and China.

On the evening of April 24, in Dezhou city, Shandong province, China, the opening ceremony of the Shandong province 2025 high-quality tourism and culture development conference took place.

Attending the event were Executive Director of the United Nations Tourism Organization Liu Shijun, Secretary General of the ASEAN-China Center Shi Zhongjun, representatives of the Embassy of Vietnam and several ASEAN countries in China, leaders of Shandong province and many delegates from associations, travel agencies, businesses, research institutions and foreign press agencies.

This is a forum for Shandong province and partners to discuss policies and share experiences in supporting and developing the tourism-cultural industry, helping people and tourists enjoy the best services, thereby creating new momentum to promote the high-quality development of the cultural-tourism industry.

Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Centre Shi Zhongjun speaks at the opening ceremony.

According to Liu Shijun, Executive Director of the United Nations Tourism Organization, the global tourism industry has undergone many changes. Data from the World Tourism Report released by the United Nations Tourism Organization in January 2025 showed that the number of international tourists in 2024 had recovered to pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels, with the number of international overnight tourists in the world reaching 1.4 billion in 2024, an increase of 11% over the same period in 2023.

International tourism revenue in 2024 will reach 1,600 billion USD, up 4% over the same period in 2009. It is forecasted that in 2025, the number of international tourists will grow 3-5% compared to 2024.

Mr. Liu Shijun emphasized that it is necessary to promote the sustainable tourism model, create more attractiveness for destinations, and at the same time expand international cooperation in the fields of smart tourism, human resource training and introducing high-quality tourism products to aim for common prosperity for the world tourism industry.

Delegates attending the opening ceremony.

Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Centre Shi Zhongjun said that tourism and culture play an important role in strengthening ASEAN-China relations. The existing cultural heritages as well as rich tourism resources of both sides will promote cooperation and development of the tourism industry.

According to the Secretary General of the ASEAN-China Center, in 2023, the number of tourists between ASEAN and China will reach more than 25 million, making ASEAN the main destination for Chinese tourists. In 2024 alone, Shandong Province will welcome more than 900,000 international tourists, of which ASEAN is one of the fastest growing tourist markets. This shows that the potential for tourism cooperation between the two sides is huge.

Signing of a strategic cultural-tourism cooperation agreement at the opening ceremony.

Mr. Shi Zhongjun added that more than 70% of Chinese tourists book tours online, so the two sides need to strengthen cooperation in the fields of information technology and digital technology to promote the development of digital tourism, and bring tourism information of ASEAN countries to China's digital tourism platform.

Shandong Governor Zhou Naixiang emphasized the need to promote the cultural industry in conjunction with tourism, to make the cultural-tourism industry a pillar industry. Shandong Province is promoting innovation to exploit cultural and historical values, thereby promoting tourism, creating new demand and consumer experiences for residents and tourists.

A performance at the opening ceremony.

With many support policies, strengthening international cooperation, promoting the image abroad, Shandong province is focusing on removing bottlenecks in attracting international tourists with specific goals such as: committing to completing entry procedures within 60 minutes for tourists, exempting inspection procedures for tourists in transit for 24 hours; opening 8 international flights each year, welcoming 30 international cruise ships...

In addition, Shandong province also allocates budget resources to support and encourage travel agencies to attract international tourists to the locality.

On the sidelines of the conference, delegates also had the opportunity to visit and survey some local cultural and tourist attractions such as the red apple museum, spice museum, jade museum, traditional cultural garden of famous people...

Delegates visit the Chinese Red Apple Culture Museum.

Delegates visit the product display area at the Yang'an Spice Museum.

Delegates listen to the introduction of the 200kg "King of Crickets" jade sculpture at the Hoi Ngoc Duong Jade Museum.

Delegates visited the Chinese Traditional Cultural Garden.

Taking place on April 24-25, the Shandong Province Tourism and Culture High-Quality Development Conference 2025 is both a forum to summarize the achievements of tourism development and a new starting point for tourism cooperation between China and countries around the world, especially ASEAN countries.

HUU HUNG-HO QUAN

People's Newspaper correspondent based in China

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nhieu-co-hoi-hop-tac-du-lich-giua-asean-va-trung-quoc-post875130.html