To compete more effectively in the cutthroat tourism market, Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area in Guizhou province is planning cross-regional and cross-industry moves to help it develop into a world-class resort.

Zhu Guiyun, Party chief of the scenic area, said Huangguoshu is not satisfied with its status as a top sightseeing site in Guizhou. It is aiming to become a world-class destination that will attract more visitors from China and the rest of the world.

Zhu is also a member of the standing committee of the Anshun committee of the Communist Party of China and head of the Party committee's publicity department.

To be a world-class resort, the scenic area needs to integrate the resources of its various sites and even those in neighboring areas.

Huangguoshu scenic area is only about 16,300 hectares, a size that cannot accommodate tourists who want to enjoy long stays, Zhu said.

However, in its neighborhood, there are quite a few excellent scenic sites with features different from Huangguoshu's.

About 35 kilometers northeast of Huangguoshu is Longgong, which literally means Dragon's Palace. Longgong features karst caves, underground waterfalls and serene rural scenery.

The 15-km-long Longgong Cave is one of longest in China, and the Longmen Waterfall inside it is said to be the largest underground waterfall in the country. There are also more than 90 other caves in the area.

Other attractions in Huangguoshu's neighborhood include the ancient villages called Tunbao, which were built during the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Tunbao means "fortress" in Chinese. As the name suggests, the Tunbao villages were built over centuries by soldiers.

There are Tunbao villages scattered throughout Anshun, with many of them having well-preserved old buildings and stone village walls. The centuries-long culture and traditions are kept intact and are displayed in local clothes, rituals and festivals.

As these sites are complementary with the Huangguoshu scenic area, Zhu said she hopes regional integration can facilitate the sharing of resources and enrich the portfolio of the local tourism industry.

The diversity of the offerings will make it possible to sell Huangguoshu and neighboring areas as a package, attracting more tourists and extending their visits, Zhu said.

As Huangguoshu has rich experience in the tourism industry, well-developed facilities and professional services, it will no doubt be the hub for regional tourism integration.

The waterfall scenic area has the most hotels in Anshun, with some of them ranked at the top level nationally and internationally.

For instance, the Huangguoshu Guesthouse was admitted in March as a member of the Golden Key Hotels of the World, a chain of upscale hotels under the Golden Key International Alliance.

Huangguoshu scenic area is also diversifying its own offerings, according to Zhu.

"In addition to sightseeing, our portfolio includes eco-tours, rural tours, folk culture experiences, recreational vehicle camping and various adventures and sports," she said.

Zhu added that Huangguoshu is now highlighting ecology in its tourism development.

In March the Huangguoshu National Park was officially established. The park includes part of the Huangguoshu scenic area, neighboring Longgong, Tianlong Tunbao, Baling River Bridge and Guanling Fossil Park. It has incorporated the concept of United States national parks, adopting a 2011 proposal from an urban design company based in New York City.

In addition to diversifying its tourism products and services, Huangguoshu is also combining tourism with its other industries, according to Zhu.

For instance, booming rural tours link with the agricultural sector, as they allow tourists to experience local farming activities and take part in harvests.

The latest cross-industry move is integrating tourism with the IT industry, Zhu said. "Huangguoshu is getting smart with the latest internet technologies," she noted.

On June 16, Huangguoshu was listed among "China's top 10 Internet-Plus scenic areas" by renowned Chinese IT company Tencent.

The scenic area is using various e-commerce platforms to promote its tourism industry and upgrade its management and services.

The Huangguoshu Smart Tour Co is a government-funded company that takes charge of the scenic area's online promotions.

It has established partnerships with the nation's top online tourism service websites such as C-trip, qunar.com, lvmama.com and tuniu.com to help local companies develop their markets.

yangjun@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/06/2016 page18)