Chongqing- From June 27 to 28, Chongqing Wulong District will hold a series of celebrations for the 15th anniversary of the successful application to the World Heritage List, summarizing the experience in protecting and utilizing the karst world natural heritage sites. Wulong will create a world-class tourism destination with karst as the "soul" and accelerate the "third venture" of Wulong tourism led by internationalization.

Create a world-class tourism IP featured with karst

In 2007, Wulong Karst was successfully included on the World Heritage List and became the first "World Natural Heritage Site" in Chongqing. Wulong has comprehensively strengthened the process management of natural heritage sites, which has effectively ensured the naturalness and integrity of Wulong Karst. The recognition of UNESCO has successfully opened up the tourism "second venture" for Wulong. At the same time, Wulong was awarded the United Nations "Sustainable Development City Model Award" in 2015 because of its excellent achievements in protecting the World Heritage sites. In the 15 years since 2007, the number of tourists received by the district has exceeded 40 million, achieving a 20-fold increase.

This year marks the first year of the "third startup" of Wulong Tourism. According to He Qing, Secretary of the Party Committee of Wulong District, Wulong will hold a series of activities for the 15th anniversary of the successful application of Wulong Karst to the World Heritage List from June 27 to 28 to magnify the brand value of the world natural heritage, and better build a bridge linking Wulong tourism to the world.

The event will also carry out the celebration meeting of the  South China Karst World Natural Heritage annual meeting, the achievement exhibition of the 15th anniversary of the successful application of the World Heritage List, the activities for national travel agents, investment and signing activities.

Make a greater contribution to tourism development

Wulong tourism is an important fulcrum for Chongqing to accelerate the construction of a city strong in culture and a world-famous tourist destination.

He Qing gave a detailed introduction to the current progress of the "third venture" of Wulong tourism. Since the implementation of the "third venture" of Wulong Tourism this year, good results have been achieved. From January to May, Wulong received 14.8515 million tourists, an increase of 11.45%, and the comprehensive tourism income was 6.533 billion yuan, an increase of 12.68%.

Next, Wulong will focus on developing six industrial chains of research, sports, art, health care, marriage industry, and service.

At the same time, Wulong will accelerate the construction of Chongqing's tourism equipment and consumption industry base in combination with its actual development and resource advantages. It has planned 31 projects with an investment of 10.5 billion yuan, including smart tourism products and the special food industries. At present, there are eight tourism equipment-related enterprises, two signed projects, and three projects to be signed. In May this year, the Chongqing Tourism Equipment Industrial Park was approved. By 2026, the tourism equipment industry in the district will achieve an annual output value of 5 billion yuan, providing solid industrial support for the "third venture."