On Nov 15, the 15th Anhui International Culture and Tourism Festival opened in East China's Huangshan province, showcasing a vibrant celebration that blends international perspectives with the cultural charm of Anhui.
The opening ceremony featured a performance that combined live scenes and digital imagery, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Anhui, including Huizhou culture and the art of Huangmei Opera.
Distinguished speakers included Peter Semone, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, Duan Qiang, president of the China Tourism Association, Kim Young-jun, consul general of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai, Xu Peng, vice chairman of the World Tourism Alliance, and Li Bin, CEO of NIO.
Semone, chairman of PATA, expressed a strong commitment to becoming Anhui's "global tourism partner", promoting Huangshan by saying "it's not just a mountain, it's a mood," and positioning Anhui as the next big sensation in global travel vlogs.
Semone, chairman of PATA, discusses the future of Anhui's cultural tourism. [Photo/China News Service]
With an improved payment experience and visa-free policies, Anhui has also witnessed a significant surge in inbound tourism this year, with international visitors rising by 73.7 percent in the first half of 2025.
The Busan-Huangshan flight route is launched. [Photo/Huangshan Daily]
The event serves as a major showcase of Anhui's vibrant openness and Huangshan's cultural and tourism appeal, further supporting Anhui's ambition to become a world-class tourist destination.