CHINA’S third-tier cities will find a friend in PATA China Panel of Experts (PCPE), which was formed in late June to provide destinations at different stages of development guidance in creating a sustainable tourism industry.
Bo Wu, regional director, Greater China, PATA, said the panel comprises the director-generals of the tourism bureaus of Shandong, Fujian, Henan, Shaanxi and Sichuan; UNWTO tourism experts; international private sector consultants and PATA members, and is a 10+1 expert consultancy model.
“The aim of the panel is to advise third-tier cities in the different provinces, which are in different stages of development, on how best to allocate their resources.”
PCPE held its first meeting and consultation in the coastal city of Yantai, Shandong on June 28, with the venue also the panel’s first case study.
Yantai hopes to develop into a coastal leisure destination, having recently bought a ship from Costa Cruises to operate to South Korea.
Wu said that challenges for the city include hotel inventory and air access.
“The economy in Yantai is strong. It is well-known for its centuries-old wine history and agriculture, but it now wants to diversify into tourism,” he elaborated. “Winter in Yantai can drop to -10°C, -20°C and the panel suggested tourism activities that revolve around festivals and recommends the introduction of a food festival.”
Leshan in Sichuan is another third-tier city seeking the panel’s advice.
