2018 China-Russia Tourism Exchange Program launched in Linyi

Tourism agencies from China and Russia signed contracts, agreeing to conduct red tours during opening ceremony of 2018 China-Russia Tourism Exchange Program held in Linyi City, east China’s Shandong Province, birthplace of Yimeng Spirit.  

2018 China-Russia Tourism Exchange Program launched in Linyi City, east China’s Shandong Province on Nov. 22.

Linyi, Nov. 22 (Linyi China) – In a bid to further enhance tourism exchanges between China and Russia, 2018 China-Russia Tourism Exchange Program is launched in Linyi City, east China’s Shandong Province on Thursday.

Opening ceremony of the program held this morning saw experts from the two countries meet to discuss the development of "red tours," those taking visitors to the sites of early communist activities. More than 80 guests from Russia involving travel experts, travel agencies and renowned media witnessed the launching ceremony of the program. Besides, China’s well-known travel experts, leading travel agencies’ mangers, heads of municipal and prefectural tourism administrations across both Shandong Province and Linyi Cities, and leading domestic media were also invited to the ceremony.

Du Dechang, chairman of Standing Committee members of Linyi Municipal People's Congress attended the ceremony. Zhang Mingchi, Deputy-Bureau-Director of Shandong Tourism Administration hosted the ceremony. Deputy Mayor of Linyi City Zhang Yulan, Press Officer of Russian Embassy in China Li Shande and Officer from Ministry of Culture and Tourism Li Jiangang delivered a welcoming address.

Red tourism is booming in both China and Russia, as the two governments have signed agreements to boost the industry in recent years. Tourism agencies from China and Russia signed contracts, agreeing to conduct red tours during a tourism exchange program held in Linyi, birthplace of Yimeng Spirit. According to official program, performances, photography and painting exhibitions will also be held to promote red tourism between the two countries.

To cater to the rising demand, Russian tourism authorities have launched a series of "red-themed" tourism products designed specifically for Chinese tourists. In St. Petersburg, known as Petrograd from 1914 to 1924, the local government touts products associated with the Soviet Union to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the October Revolution, including itineraries with the themes "Chinese Comrades in Red Petrograd" and the "February Revolution in Petrograd."

As red tours play an important part in enhancing the friendship between the peoples of the two countries, China's red tourist sites, where its early communist activities began, are drawing a large number of Russian tourists, particularly those in Linyi City, east China’s Shandong Province.

Editor：梁子硕