Chen Hua, a NPC member and prefecturor of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, said that the development of the cultural and tourism industry can enhance the cultural confidence of all ethnic groups, help increase farmers’ income through tourism, and promote integrated development of economy and culture among ethnic groups.
Xiangxi Prefecture is located at the junction of Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing and Guizhou, and is the only ethnic minority autonomous prefecture in Hunan Province. The complex terrain created by the high mountains and huge valleys has preserved the primitive style of Xiangxi.
“When you come to Xiangxi, you must listen to Miao folk songs and Tima songs, learn the hand-waving dance and Miao drum dance, wear Miao silver clothing and Tujia brocade clothing, eat ethnic snacks, and experience the diversity of ethnic culture from multiple aspects.” Chen Hua said that Xiangxi Prefecture, relying on its rich cultural and tourism resources, highlighted the common and shared symbols and images of Chinese culture among all ethnic groups in cultural tourism development, and made contributions to the great unity of the Chinese nation.
To improve tourism quality and make good use of cultural tourism brands, a series of festivals and events like Tujia Sheba Festival and Jishou Drum Culture Festival are held in Xiangxi Prefecture every year.
It has also strengthened exchanges and cooperation with surrounding areas like Zhangjiajie, Enshi City in Hubei Province and Tongren City in Guizhou Province, and established the Wuling Mountain Tourism Development Alliance to promote tour routes and share resources.
In addition, it has launched marketing activities in more than 30 important customer markets such as Shanghai, Chongqing and Guangzhou to attract tourists to Hunan Province.
Through the strategy of “going out” and “bringing in”, it has promoted extensive communications, comprehensive exchanges and deep integration among people of all ethnic groups.
It has promoted the integrated development of “tourism plus” and “plus tourism”. A number of high-quality tourist routes and tourism products have been launched. Quality improvement projects have been implemented in such high-level tourist attractions as Fenghuang Ancient Town and Furong Town.
It has vigorously promoted the industrialization of ethnic crafts like Tujia brocade, Miao embroidery and wax dyeing, and created 28 types of tourism products like tourism souvenirs and ethnic handicrafts.
It has promoted the continuous development and growth of new tourism forms such as tourism performances, intangible cultural heritage and travel photography, and created some high-quality performance programs like “The Border Town”.
This year, Fenghuang Ancient Town became the first national 5A scenic spot in Hunan Province. Chen Hua said that Xiangxi Prefecture has added two national 5A tourist attractions in three years, which makes all ethnic groups in the prefecture happy and excited.
Chen Hua added that the prefecture would work to create 100-billion-yuan industries and leading industries, and promote the high-quality development of the tourism industry.
Xiangxi Prefecture has strengthened the innovative protection, inheritance, development and utilization of ancient villages, historic sites, and traditional residential buildings. It has built six village clusters, raised 1.87 billion yuan for the overall protection and utilization of 94 traditional villages, and promoted the development of over 300 villages in clusters. The 42 star-rated rural tourism areas provided over 1,100 job opportunities, and farmers’ income exceeded 1.4 billion yuan.
