By Sun Hui
Boundless deserts, magnificent mountains, beautiful lakes, vast grasslands, and even the otherworldly Yadan rock landforms are just some of the attractions drawing tourists to Karamay the world over.
And it was at its most obvious on Aug 26 this year, as more than 10,000 domestic and overseas visitors descended on the Northwest Chinese oil city for the China Xinjiang International Tourist Commodities Fair.
The fair, the biggest of its kind in China, was held at the Karamay Convention and Exhibition Center. Since first being held in 2012, it has seen exhibitors from across China and all over the world travel to Karamay to promote and sell products strongly associated with the tourism in their particular region.
More than 1,000 transactions took place between 12 countries, this year, more than in any other year previous.
The exhibition not only provides a prominent platform for Karamay, but is also a great opportunity for the city to promote some of its other monikers, such as “World Oil City” and “China western tourism resort”.
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Karamay held the China Xinjiang International Tourist Commodities Fair at the Karamay Convention and Exhibition Center on Aug 26, attracting more than 10,000 domestic and foreign visitors. [Photo/kelamayi.com.cn] |
Karamay’s tourism retail sales have soared in recent years, hitting 5.88 billion yuan ($870 million) in 2015, up 5.7 percent year-on-year. And it’s no wonder the money is good, visitor numbers to the city have risen from 1.56 million people in 2010 to 3.46 million in 2015.
The increase in traveller numbers has rewarded Karamay with 2,000 tourism-related companies and creating 50,000 jobs for local people.
As one of the first cities selected by the central government to reform its tourism industry in 2015, Karamay has made concerted efforts to transform and upgrade the industry.
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When night falls on Karamay, lights turn on and decorate the sculptures and bridges along the river. [photo/kelamayi.com.cn] |
