Wuxi boosts global tourism through travel trade conference

The second China International Travel Trade Matchmaking Conference was held in Liangxi district, Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, on May 29.

The event gathered over 200 participants, including representatives from domestic and international travel businesses, foreign tourists and various media outlets.

Serving as a platform to display the high-quality tourism offerings in Wuxi, the event aimed to facilitate effective connections between buyers and sellers within the tourism supply chain.

During the event, China's latest optimized departure tax refund policy was highlighted. China has lowered the starting point for tax refunds from 500 yuan ($69.48) to 200 yuan and raised the cash refund limit from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan in late April. As a result, tourists can now receive cash refunds on the spot as long as the refund amount falls within the 20,000 yuan limit.

In the evening, an immersive night tour set sail on the ancient Grand Canal in Liangxi district. Through the use of virtual reality technology, tourists transitioned from being mere spectators of history to becoming active participants. They explored canal landmarks to uncover Wuxi's unique narrative, enhanced by the Wu dialect song, Scenery of Wuxi. An augmented reality ink painting further revealed the city's rich historical tapestry, deepening their understanding of its cultural heritage.

Guinness World Records has recognized the "starry dome" lighting installation along the boat tour route as the largest display of fiber optic lights around the world. The radiant lights, cascading like the Milky Way, cast a dreamy and enchanting reflection upon the age-old canal, creating a nostalgic ambiance reminiscent of the bustling canal life in ancient times.