Last Saturday, a dynamic group of mayors and city representatives from Germany’s Regensburg, Greece’s Piraeus and Japan’s Shimonoseki, among others, gathered in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province. Their mission: to chart new frontiers in cultural tourism and sister-city cooperation.
Against the backdrop of Qingdao’s iconic coastline, delegates dived into three core themes. First, strengthening maritime tourism: unlocking port heritage, crafting coastal circuits and tapping into marine culture. Second, breathing fresh life into historic city centers: balancing preservation with innovation to attract today’s culturally curious travelers. And third, fostering international tourism and cultural exchange: from joint festivals to student exchange programmes, cities are pooling resources to build bridges across communities.
By blending insights—from a recent report showing a surge in waterfront visits this spring to success stories in digital festivals—delegates mapped out concrete steps. They highlighted digital marketing, sustainable travel practices and youth engagement as critical drivers for growth.
Looking ahead, Qingdao’s mayor invited peers to pilot cross-border events, co-create immersive heritage trails and launch a global digital platform for sister cities. For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and digital nomads, these partnerships promise fresh travel experiences, innovative startup opportunities in cultural tech and deeper connections across cultures.
As the tides of tourism evolve, this gathering in Qingdao highlights the power of city-to-city dialogue. It’s a reminder that when local leaders unite around shared goals, they can transform cultural legacies into vibrant, future-proof economies—and inspire a new generation of travelers and changemakers worldwide.
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Global mayors meet in E China's Qingdao to promote cultural tourism
cgtn.com
