“Tourism, as a key driver of rural revitalization, can effectively activate rural resources, promote industrial integration, and increase farmers’ income,” said Liu Zhaohui, Vice Chairman of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA), during an interview with a Xingtai Daily reporter while attending the 9th Provincial Tourism Development Conference in Xingtai City. Although it was his first time visiting Xingtai City, he noted that the city’s natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and rural charm showcase unique appeal. He expressed particular delight in the achievements made in leveraging cultural tourism to empower rural revitalization.

“Xingtai has made significant strides by fully utilizing local resources and actively exploring new approaches to rural tourism,” Liu remarked. He highlighted that Xingtai City has already produced several successful cases where tourism has driven rural development. These successes share a common thread: accurately understanding contemporary demands, promoting resource integration, and innovating models to inject sustainable vitality into rural areas.

"Jianshi Lodge" B&B in Neiqiu County, Xingtai City. The homestay, themed around “sleep enhancement,” features high-tech amenities such as AI-powered air-suspension mattresses. Surrounded by forests and fresh air, it offers an ideal setting for experiencing slow living and peaceful nights. Photo by Huang Tao

Liu Zhaohui likened the specialization of rural tourism to “avoiding fusion cuisine and instead focusing on local specialties.” He suggested that, while developing diverse formats, core resources should be deeply rooted in local characteristics. In his view, Xingtai City holds great potential in this regard, especially with its numerous traditional villages and natural landscapes, which provide excellent conditions for creating differentiated tourism products.

By integrating the development of beautiful countryside initiatives, Xingtai City has revitalized a number of ancient traditional villages and fostered new rural tourism formats such as characteristic towns, rural campsites, and B&Bs. Regarding the development of B&Bs in Xingtai’s western mountainous areas, Liu proposed a dual-track strategy: for international tourists, maintaining an authentic experience while meeting international standards, and for domestic tourists, tailoring the focus to different priorities.

In terms of “cultural tourism + industry,” Xingtai City has a foundation in bicycle manufacturing and is building the “Spring City Cycling” sports brand. Liu recommended leveraging this advantage to host multi-tiered events, expanding from township-level competitions to national and even international levels, thereby enhancing the city’s visibility and influence.

This article is reprinted from Xingtai Daily.

Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen

Editor Ⅱ: Wu Dan

Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong