Mount Tai sees rise in tourism business

(chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2015-12-15

Mount Tai sees rise in tourism business

Tourism at the Mount Tai scenic spot has maintained good growth momentum during the past five years. Numbers of tourists and tourism income have been on the rise for nine consecutive years, informed an official.

The officer said that the number of tourists broke 4 million for the first time in 2011 and reached 5.47 million in 2014, up 9.9 percent year-on-year. The figure represented a 38-percent growth as compared with 2010. A total of 5.3 million tourists made trips to the area during the first ten months this year, up 7.2 percent, signaling a continuous growth in local tourism.

The area has ensured safety of its forests, cultural and historical heritages and tourists during the 2011-2015 period and strives to become a model among China's tourist attractions.

Significantly, no accidents, such as fire or plague have occurred in the Mount Tai over the past 27 years.

The scenic spot enriched its tourism products to attract more tourists. New travel routes were developed and focus has been put on the integration of sightseeing and leisure experiences. A large-scale night show featuring ancient sacrificial ceremony has also been developed, which won the first art prize from the Shandong government. Tourist centers at the Taohua Valley and Tianwai village have played an important role in displaying useful information, offering tourism service and balancing tourist flow. The comprehensive digital system covering the entire area has passed acceptance check by the government and won scientific innovation prize in the province.

The system has made Mount Tai one of the first in China to have smart tourism facility.

Project development has also made headways this year. Well-known experts were invited to help optimize expansion design of the Hushan Park and demolition works have been underway. Hotels and relevant adjunct facilities were all completed on the Taishandong street and a loop route around the Xianhe Bay has finished its design and is now under construction.

Residential buildings to relocate people have completed and passed acceptance check and water pipelines are now being laid down. Bus system at the Dajinkou area has been put into operation, and new fair market is functional now. Kindergarten construction is right on schedule at the moment. Other finished projects included fire aisle and Chilin fish breeding facility. Those projects have helped the area to transform itself into a modern tourism destination.

During the 2011-2015, Mount Tai has developed colorful travel products for prayers all year round by expanding scenic area, incense house and travel agency, and increasing tourism vehicles.

Online commerce platform was broadened for ticket sales, and new online service and promotion channels have been set up. Promotion webpage could be accessible on mobile phone, which offers information on hot scenic spots and route navigation. Official WeChat account was established to unify standards, uplift image and upgrade marketing efficiency.

Half-day, one-day and two-day tours were improved to better service regular tourists and focus has also been given to tap new areas. Quality celebrations were planned and staged to draw in more tourists. The scenic spot has also worked with leading travel agencies, establish overseas promotion channel and make inroads in the inbound tourism market.