Local govt aims to promote city’s culture

The local tourism administration signed an agreement Tuesday with the city's culture authority to promote Shanghai as a cultural destination for tourists over the next three years.

Under the agreement, the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration and the Shanghai Municipal Culture, Radio and Television Authority will seek to incorporate visits to architectural sites, former homes of famous people, local snack vendors, religious buildings and museums into packages offered by local travel agencies, according to a press release from the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration.

The tourism administration, which oversees local travel agencies, will only help build relationships between travel agencies and tourist attractions, said Zhang Jie, an administration press officer.

"Combining culture and tour packages will definitely bring us more clients, particularly those from abroad, who are interested in Chinese culture," said Ding Jianmin, a manager in charge of inbound tourism at Shanghai China International Travel Service.

Ding told the Global Times that packages with distinctive regional features will make the travel agency more competitive.

The tourism administration also plans to create tour routes for visitors to follow that include recommendations for places to shop, eat, sightsee and have fun, including the China Art Palace, MOCA Shanghai and the Shanghai Museum.

Meanwhile, Shanghai China International Travel Service and Spring Travel Agency also signed a cooperation agreement with the China Art Palace and MOCA Shanghai at Tuesday's meeting.

The tourism administration expects that Shanghai will receive about 50 million tourists over the next three years.