QINGDAO -- The 2023 Shandong Tourism Development Conference was held in Qingdao from March 26 to 27.

Initiated in 2020, the Shandong Tourism Development Conference is designed to be a high-level and distinctive culture and tourism event to continuously enhance Shandong's international and domestic appeal.

The conference is part of Shandong's efforts to inject strong vitality into the province's tourism industry and promote the high-quality development of its cultural sector.

Shandong is an important cradle of Chinese civilization and the birthplace of Confucian culture. It is also home to rich and diverse tourism and cultural resources.

"The conference will help boost the confidence of the cultural tourism market and strengthen new drivers for the high-quality development of the cultural tourism industry across Shandong," said Sui Bangru, deputy director of the Qingdao Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau.

Hosting the conference in Qingdao is a rare opportunity to fully display Qingdao's image and enhance its reputation, Sui added.