The Cultural Tourism Cooperation Conference is held from Nov 7 to 8 in Zibo. [Photo by Cao Jiayue/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Cultural Tourism Cooperation Conference ended on Nov 8 in Zibo, Shandong province. During the two-day conference, experts and company representatives from tourism-related industries gathered to boost cultural tourism in Shandong.

The conference features four symposiums themed on tourism accommodation investment, improvement of holiday resorts, cultural performances in tourism, and breakthroughs in homestays.

During the conference, 16 cities in Shandong held promotional activities to attract investment, while agreements were signed for a total of 67 tourism projects, including nine projects in cooperation with major investment groups and three projects linked with international hotel management groups.

Dongying showcases its cultural products at its promotional booth. [Photo by Cao Jiayue/chinadaily.com.cn]

Tourism enterprises are optimistic about Shandong's future development in cultural tourism.

Deng Youchao, CDO of Marriott International Greater China, unveiled the company's recent business plan for Shandong. By buildings another 25 hotels and expanding its presence in Shandong, Marriott expects to enhance Shandong's tourism accommodation infrastructure and contribute to the province's growth in cultural tourism.

Tony Cao, Head of Development of IHG North, Greater China, had a favorable view of Shandong's cultural tourism market. The group sees the Cultural Tourism Cooperation Conference as an effective platform to seek mutual benefits and is constructing more hotels in cities like Yantai, Weifang, Rizhao, and Binzhou, as well as Jinan and Qingdao, two major cities in Shandong.

In addition to the promotion of star-rated hotels, a high priority is placed on creating a new epicenter for rural homestays in Shandong, aiming to deepen the construction of homestay clusters to boost rural tourism.

Marriott introduces its future development plan in Shandong. [Photo by Cao Jiayue/chinadaily.com.cn]

Zibo, which hosted the conference, became a nationwide sensation in March due to its barbecue. The city seeks to further develop and improve its cultural tourism, to lead Zibo's overall development.

Shandong will use the conference as an opportunity to continue to strengthen policy support, providing strong assistance in areas such as land supply, infrastructure, finance, and talent development. Efforts will be made to create a first-class business environment, allowing various types of market participants to invest with confidence.