Tai’an City Charts a New Course for Cultural and Tourism Industry Growth with 2025 High-Quality Development Conference in China

Published on May 20, 2025

On May 13, 2025, Tai’an City, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and scenic Mount Taishan, hosted the highly anticipated 2025 Cultural and Tourism Industry High Quality Development Conference in Feicheng City, famously called China’s “Peach City.” This pivotal gathering brought together influential voices from Shandong Province’s cultural, tourism, business, and academic sectors to collaboratively envision a transformative future for Tai’an’s tourism industry.

The conference marked a significant milestone in Tai’an’s “second entrepreneurship” phase, focusing on sustainable and high-quality growth through innovative projects, enhanced service standards, and expanded market reach. The event included project observations, ceremonial openings, and strategic work meetings, each underscoring the city’s commitment to elevating its status as a leading tourism destination in China.

Tai’an’s Tourism Landscape: Growth and Ambition

Tai’an’s tourism sector is experiencing robust growth, driven by strategic developments centered on Mount Taishan—the region’s iconic cultural heritage site—and supported by a comprehensive cluster approach known as the “Mount Taishan+” tourism industry cluster. According to official projections:

• 94.294 million domestic tourists are expected in Tai’an in 2024.
• Tourism revenue forecast stands at 90.27 billion yuan, reflecting increases of 12.3% and 13.8% respectively compared to prior years.
• The “Mount Taishan+” cluster is recognized as one of Shandong Province’s first pillar wild geese array clusters, a strategic economic zone promoting sustainable tourism and industry integration.

Data from the first quarter of 2025 reveals Tai’an’s momentum is accelerating:

• Visitors totaled 2.016 billion in the first quarter.
• Tourism revenue reached 19.013 billion yuan, up 9.47% and 10.63% year-on-year, respectively.

This data highlights Tai’an’s rising prominence on China’s tourism map and underlines the urgency and opportunity for continued high-quality development.

Celebrating Excellence: Awards and Recognition

The conference also served as a platform to recognize outstanding contributors to Tai’an’s tourism industry, showcasing innovation and service excellence across three critical dimensions:

• Tourism product innovation—highlighted by the gold medalist of the 18th National Peach Blossom Tourism Product Innovation Design Competition.
• Service quality—honoring the 2024 gold medal tour guide for exemplary guest engagement and professionalism.
• Market expansion—celebrating enterprises excelling in international tourism outreach, including the award-winning initiative “Bringing Tourists into Thailand.”

These accolades illustrate Tai’an’s commitment to fostering a vibrant ecosystem where creativity and quality drive tourism competitiveness.

Forward-Looking Projects and Strategies

Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, Tai’an Culture and Tourism Department is prioritizing both optimizing existing tourism assets and expanding new attractions. Key projects set to invigorate the tourism landscape include:

• Revitalized “Fengshan Grand Ceremony”: This upgraded live performance returns with renewed grandeur, blending tradition with modern spectacle to captivate audiences.
• Jiunvfeng Fairy Tale Village: An exciting new themed attraction poised to attract families and cultural tourists seeking immersive experiences.
• CCTV New Year’s Eve Gala promotional activities: Leveraging the extensive reach and cultural influence of China’s national TV gala to boost off-season tourism and maintain visitor interest year-round.

These initiatives reflect a strategic blend of cultural preservation and innovation aimed at attracting diverse visitor segments and enhancing Tai’an’s tourism appeal beyond peak seasons.

Comprehensive Support for Tourism Enterprises

Tai’an city government underscores its role as a proactive partner in the tourism industry’s growth by committing to:

• Providing thoughtful service and comprehensive guarantees to businesses investing in Tai’an.
• Offering intimate, comfortable, and reassuring tourism services for visitors, ensuring satisfaction and repeat visits.
• Building Tai’an into a national-level tourist and leisure destination city with wide-ranging development space for enterprises.

This multi-faceted support framework aims to create a sustainable ecosystem where enterprises can thrive and tourists enjoy exceptional experiences.

The Strategic Role of Mount Taishan Cultural Heritage

Mount Taishan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s Five Great Mountains, is the cultural and spiritual heart of Tai’an’s tourism sector. Its influence extends beyond natural beauty to encompass deep cultural significance that fuels the region’s identity and tourism branding.

The conference emphasized the continued development of the Mount Taishan Cultural Heritage and Innovation Demonstration Zone, a focal point for integrating heritage conservation with innovative tourism services. This zone is designed to preserve the mountain’s sacred sites while offering visitors enhanced interpretative experiences and amenities.

Economic and Social Impacts of Tourism Growth

Tai’an’s cultural and tourism industry boom contributes significantly to regional economic growth, job creation, and cultural revitalization. The increased flow of domestic tourists translates into higher demand for accommodation, dining, transportation, and cultural services, benefiting local communities and businesses alike.

Sustainable growth strategies also aim to balance tourism expansion with environmental protection, ensuring that Tai’an’s natural and cultural assets remain intact for future generations.

Enhancing Tourist Experience Through Quality and Innovation

The conference underscored the importance of elevating the overall tourist experience by focusing on:

• Innovative tourism products that combine authenticity with creative storytelling.
• Enhanced service quality through professional training and standards compliance.
• Smart tourism solutions leveraging technology to improve visitor convenience and engagement.

This holistic approach aligns with global best practices in tourism development, emphasizing experience quality as a key competitive differentiator.

Tai’an’s Role in Shandong Province and Beyond

Tai’an’s growth story is closely linked with broader regional strategies in Shandong Province, a major economic and cultural hub in eastern China. The city’s rising tourism metrics contribute to the province’s goals of developing diversified tourism clusters and enhancing international visibility.

The “Mount Taishan+” cluster initiative is a prime example of regional collaboration, combining cultural heritage sites, modern attractions, and service innovation to position Shandong as a premier tourism destination on both national and global stages.

Conclusion: Tai’an’s Bright Future as a Cultural and Tourism Powerhouse

The 2025 Tai’an City Cultural and Tourism Industry High Quality Development Conference clearly articulated a bold and strategic vision for Tai’an’s tourism sector. By leveraging its unique cultural assets, investing in innovation, and fostering a supportive environment for businesses, Tai’an is well-positioned to sustain its impressive growth trajectory.

Visitors can look forward to enhanced experiences, from immersive cultural performances to new themed attractions, all backed by a commitment to service excellence and sustainability. For investors and tourism stakeholders, Tai’an offers a dynamic and promising landscape ripe for collaboration and expansion.

Summary Bullet Points:

• Tai’an hosted its 2025 Cultural and Tourism Development Conference in Feicheng, gathering key stakeholders.
• Projected 94.3 million tourists and 90.27 billion yuan revenue in 2024 show strong growth.
• New projects include upgraded “Fengshan Grand Ceremony” and Jiunvfeng Fairy Tale Village.
• Recognized tourism innovation and service quality with national awards.
• Strategic focus on Mount Taishan heritage and “Mount Taishan+” industry cluster development.
• Commitment to enterprise support, visitor comfort, and sustainable growth.
• Tai’an is set to become a national-level leisure and tourism destination city.