Lianyungang City (CFP Photo)
The Department of Culture and Tourism of Jiangsu Province and the province’s Development and Reform Commission have jointly released an action plan to build world-class coastal ecotourism corridor that features vibrant culture and beautiful landscapes.
By 2025, the province aims to create a vibrant marine culture, move up the value chain in tourism industry, and offer prominent and abundant travel options with a high market reputation. Jiangsu will build a number of world-class resorts, national ecotourism demonstration areas, and national pilot zones for the integrated development of culture and tourism industries. Tourism is expected to contribute more to the development of the marine economy and the province will be well-known in the world as a land of water charms.
The action plan has four major highlights, namely adhering to ecological priorities, adapting to local conditions, a path of integrated development and revitalization of cultural heritage, according to an official of the Department of Culture and Tourism.
With ecological protection a top priority, Jiangsu plans to develop tourist destinations in accordance with green growth and the sea’s healthy ecosystem. The Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf (Phase I) was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Jiangsu will make full use of this honor to pursue sustainable development, build high-quality diversified tourist attractions along the coast, promote the realization of ecological value of the sea, and help develop pilot zones for ecological civilization and beautiful Jiangsu initiative.
In line with local conditions, Jiangsu will build coastal towns and villages that are suitable for living, working and travelling. Development will fully consider a region’s location, industrial strengths, culture, and natural landscape to highlight unique features.
In terms of integrated development, Jiangsu will strengthen the support for culture and tourism industries and advance application of digital technology. Efforts will be made to explore the path of industrial development of marine cultural resources and offer a wide range of products centered on cultural heritage, shows and performances, and creative industries.
To better inherit and develop cultural legacies, the province will expand the ways of marine culture protection, inheritance, and promotion, making relics and legacies more relevant in modern day life. One program will be carried out to map out the historical development of regional culture, strengthen the research and communication of sea-related sites and relics. Meanwhile, intangible cultural heritage items will be promoted in scenic areas to enhance their publicity and roles in everyday life.
