Shandong's rural tourism initiatives win global acclaim

Three places in Shandong province recently have been honored in the World Tourism Alliance's "Best Practices of Rural Revitalization through Tourism", announced at the WTA·Xianghu Dialogue 2024 in Sanya, Hainan province.

The places are Dahonggou village in Jining, Tongyugou village in Weifang, and the Oriental Coast Fruit Valley in Yantai.

Bathed in the warm sunlight, Dahonggou village in Jining boasts a stunning natural environment. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Dahonggou village in Jining has successfully revitalized itself through the development of cultural tourism. By leveraging its rich agricultural, residential, and folk festival culture, the village, in collaboration with enterprises, has created the Dahong Mangu Rural Tourism Project. This initiative has fostered diverse tourism sectors including industrial incubation, study tours, folk tourism, and cultural creativity. As a result, the once-overlooked village now attracts 400,000 visitors annually, creating 1,100 jobs and enabling residents to achieve shared prosperity through collaborative efforts.

Underneath the clear blue sky, the renovated Tongyugou village offers a picturesque blend of nature and culture. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Tongyugou village, nestled within the picturesque Jiulongyu Scenic Area, has undergone a remarkable transformation. While preserving the village's original ecological features, the scenic area has upgraded the village's infrastructure, including paving roads, increasing greenery, and improving lighting. A dedicated tourist route has been established, along with comprehensive traffic facilities such as signage, streetlights, and parking lots. Over 1,000 jobs in management, landscaping, security, and homestay services have been provided to local villagers, encouraging many to return home and start their own businesses.

The Oriental Coast Fruit Valley in Yantai has driven the development of rural tourism by integrating it with the apple industry. With over 20 newly built homestays and orchards, including some with century-old apple trees, the project offers a unique blend of agriculture and tourism.