Shandong province in East China will continue to unleash cultural and tourism consumption potential and advance the integrated development of cultural and tourism industries in the coming five years, local officials announced at a recent news conference.

Over the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Shandong will launch measures to build a red cultural tourism base and an excellent traditional cultural tourism base.

The beautiful scenery of old residential area in Jinan, capital of Shandong province [Photo/IC]

The provincial capital economic circle and the Jiaodong Economic Circle will become the province's model for integrated cultural and tourism development.

A number of world-class tourist attractions and resorts with rich cultural connotations, as well as tourism and leisure cities, urban zones, villages and towns with distinctive cultural traits will also be built.

Shandong will continue its efforts to deepen supply-side reform in cultural and tourism industries. It will launch measures and policies to lower tourism venue fees and develop more diverse cultural and tourism products, including various art performances, leisure agriculture, study tours, red tourism, and coastal tourism.

The province will maintain its focus on improving tourist facilities and services, advancing the development of rural tourism, recreational tourism, and "all-for-one tourism".

Shandong will promote cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation with other countries. The "Confucius Culture and Tourism Envoys" program will continue to be held to promote Shandong culture around the world. It will strengthen cooperation with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and key overseas tourist source markets.

The province will also advance promotion of the "Friendly Shandong" brand to increase the province's international profile and tell stories of Shandong to the world.