Lijiang secures tourism development

Zheng Yi, mayor of Lijiang, said at a press conference on Sept 28 that the city has achieved some success in tourism industry transformation and upgrading after taking a series of steps to renovate the local market.

Lijiang's local tourism industry has in recent years faced criticism due to lagging inspection and management despite increasing volume.

Zheng Yi said that Lijiang has investigated 317 allegations of illegal conduct in the industry and levied fines of over 4.9 million yuan ($735,000) since April 15. Some 32 designated souvenir shops were punished and 23 travel agencies were suspended.

Glacier Park in Lijiang is a hot attraction for worldwide tourists. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Lijiang government has carried out a series of measures to make sure the tourism market is in order over the coming Golden National Holidays.

The city has established a comprehensive monitoring and management mode involving a dispatch and command center, 300 tourism police, 20 law enforcement officers, a tourism patrol and a judicial mediation center.

Lijiang is trying to become a world-class tourist destination featuring beautiful natural scenery, ethnic cultures, romantic trips, camping, and sports competitions.

A nighttime view of the busy Lijiang Airport [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

To that end, Lijiang is establishing information-based tourism through promotion and application of modern information technologies. Lijiang is also building a tourism big data center to support local intelligent tourism and an overall smart tourism service system.

Zheng Yi said that the city will continue to regulate the tourism market and reinforce development of tourism transportation infrastructure and public service facilities.

Lijiang's Old Town is always popular. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]