Officials, experts in tourism and culture and tourism industry and tourism-related industry representatives participated in a forum focused on Guan Zhong and the Yingshang tourism brand - an event of the first China Tourism Brand Festival - which was held at Swan Lake Hotel in Hefei, the capital of Anhui province, on July 15.

Yingshang county prides itself as the birthplace of Guan Zhong – born 'Yiwu' - (c. 720-645 BC), who was a politician and strategist and became Prime Minister of the state of Qi in 685BC. Yinshang authorities said at the forum that they hope their efforts to further research on Guan Zhong, develop tourism products and build a brand as the 'Hometown of Guan Zhong' will boost tourism.

Experts discussed the legacy of Guan Zhong and possible promotional strategies, and they suggested that Yingshang should take advantage of its link to Guan Zhong as part of its brand promotion.

Yingshang started to build its brand as the 'Hometown of Guan Zhong' several years ago, and the authorities have organized activities to promote so-called 'Guan Zhong culture'. The head of the Yingshang tourism bureau said that local authorities are planning a 'China Guan Park', with an investment of 2 billion yuan ($325.7 million), and also a TV series focusing on Guan Zhong, with an investment of 100 million yuan.

At the end of the forum, officials announced the formal establishment of a Yingshang tourism office in Hefei.

Participants during the forum on Guan Zhong and the Yingshang tourism brand

By Guo Yi

Edited by Niva Whyman, Huang Pei