The fourth Anshun Tourism Industry Development Conference was held in Guanling county of Anhun, in Southwest China's Guizhou province, on July 19 to promote the city's development of all-region tourism.

The fourth Anshun Tourism Industry Development Conference is held in Yongning town, Guanling county, Guizhou province, on July 19. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Officials and experts from across the country attended the conference to discuss the Anshun model for further development of the tourism industry.

"Anshun needs to upgrade its tourism industry in accordance with the current tourism trend of all-region tourism," said Zhang Hui, deputy director of the Committee of Experts of World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF).

The idea of all-region tourism was first mentioned in this year's government work report to cater to the country's growing demand for tourism products and services, and facilitate economic transition.

Scenic sites and their surrounding area form a comprehensive tourist destination, which helps boost infrastructure, investment, culture and the economy, increasing prosperity throughout the whole area.

Boasting the world-renowned Huangguoshu Waterfall, Anshun leads the way in developing local tourism. Some 54.1 million tourists from all over the world visited Anshun last year,, with a year-on-year growth of 38.6 percent, seeing tourism income standing at 54.6 billion yuan ($8.03 billion), up 44.3 percent year-on-year, according to the city's top official Zeng Yongtao.

In the near future, Anshun will realize a deep integration of the tourism industry with sports, culture and ecology to promote the coordinated development of the economy and society.

Girls in bright-colored traditional ethnic dresses greet visitors in Anshun. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]