As the demand for healthy living, sensory adventure, and deep cultural experiences continues to grow, mountain ecotourism is flourishing. How can Hebei seize this opportunity to fully develop the Taihang Mountains into an international mountain ecotourism destination? On September 15, a journalist from Hebei Daily interviewed Liu Zhaohui, Vice Chairman of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA).
September 15: Liu Zhaohui, Vice Chairman of IMTA, interviewed by Hebei Daily, Photo by Li Jiaze, Hebei Daily
Q: As an emerging form of tourism, mountain ecotourism is gaining increasing attention. In your opinion, what unique advantages and potential does Hebei possess for developing international mountain ecotourism?
A: Mountain ecotourism represents a high-level form of tourism, reflecting a shift from traditional sightseeing to immersive experiences.
Hebei is bordered by the Taihang Mountains to the west and the Yanshan Mountains to the north, boasting exceptionally rich and high-quality mountain resources. Particularly in the Hebei section of the Taihang Mountains, diverse landscapes such as canyons, peak forests, cliffs, and waterfalls create a stunning natural tapestry. This region also serves as a vital ecological barrier for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area. These natural endowments provide unparalleled conditions for mountain ecotourism.
Hebei also has a profound cultural heritage, carrying rich ethnic and historical memories that attract visitors to immersive experiences. Additionally, through active development of mountain sports and experiential products such as via ferrata, low-altitude flights, and off-road biking, as well as promoting diverse formats like traditional Chinese medicine wellness and hot spring retreats, Hebei’s mountain ecotourism has already taken shape. This solid foundation positions Hebei well to become an international mountain ecotourism destination.
Taihang Mountains Region · Baoding White Stone Mountain Scenic Area, Image Source: Baoding White Stone Mountain Scenic Area
Q: In the face of increasingly upgraded consumer demands, what areas should Hebei focus on to accelerate the development of an international mountain ecotourism destination?
A: The popularity of the slogan "So Close, So Beautiful, Spend Your Weekends in Hebei" has drawn global attention to the province. To accelerate the development of an international mountain ecotourism destination and showcase the beauty of Hebei’s mountains to the world, Hebei should continue to focus on enriching product offerings, building clusters of world-class mountain sports events, and strengthening the global promotion of its cultural and tourism brands.
By deeply understanding tourist preferences, Hebei can develop diverse mountain sports and experiential products such as off-road biking, mountaineering, rock climbing, rafting, camping, team-building exercises, caving, and canyon exploration. Concentrated efforts should be made to create a series of competitive and popular products.
Creating international event IPs with themed activities for every season and events every month is essential. Hosting various mountain sports events such as off-road competitions, mountain marathons, and mountain biking races will help build a cluster of top-tier international mountain sports events. Additionally, breaking down barriers between cities and provinces, strengthening cooperation with regions like Beijing, Shanxi, and Henan, sharing tourist resources, and co-building brands will help tap into key markets such as Europe, the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
Global promotion efforts should also be intensified. Collaborating with international influencers for live-streaming events like "Cloud Tour of Hebei" can enhance international visibility. Meanwhile, improving multilingual services, smart tourism facilities, and unifying cultural tourism branding will advance integrated brand development.
Taihang Mountains Region · Heqiu County Harmony Retreat Homestay, Image Source: Hebei Daily, Photo by Zhao Yonghui
Q: Balancing ecological protection and tourism development has always been a core issue in the industry. How can Hebei achieve a win-win situation by preserving its natural environment while developing an international mountain ecotourism destination?
A: Developing mountain ecotourism requires not only building modern tourism facilities but also preserving traditional culture and natural ecology to achieve sustainable development.
It is essential to scientifically assess the resource and environmental carrying capacity of tourism areas, develop them in an orderly manner, and conduct dynamic monitoring. Hebei can learn from the biodiversity protection practices of the Swiss Alps by establishing a cross-regional ecological monitoring network. Implementing tourist capacity control mechanisms and fostering eco-friendly scenic spots will minimize the impact of tourism activities on the environment. Exploring ecological compensation mechanisms and benefit-sharing models will help turn "clear waters and lush mountains" into "economic prosperity."
Taihang Mountains Region · Baoding Taihang Trail, Image Source: Baoding Culture and Tourism
Q: As a core platform in the global mountain tourism sector, what support can the IMTA provide to Hebei?
A: The core purposes of the IMTA is to "Protect Mountain Resources, Promote Mountain Civilization, Preserve Mountain Economies, and Prosper Mountain Communities." The IMTA has advantages in areas such as mountain ecotourism standards certification, event cooperation, and technical exchanges, which can help Hebei accelerate its development as an international mountain ecotourism destination.
Specifically, Hebei can refer to standards such as the "International Mountain Ecotourism Destination Indicator System" compiled by the IMTA to enhance the management level of scenic areas and increase international recognition. Collaborating with the IMTA to create internationally influential events will attract global tourists and professional institutions, boosting brand influence. Additionally, the alliance regularly offers mountain tourism management training courses. Hebei can leverage this platform to systematically cultivate professionals with international perspectives and learn from world-leading operational models and service concepts.
This article is reprinted from Hebei Daily.
Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen
Editor Ⅱ: Wu Dan
Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong
