Forum discusses Mongolian tourism development

More than 100 scholars, officials, and designers from home and abroad gathered in Hohhot over the weekend to explore tourism development in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

The two-day symposium, "Exploration of grassland culture tourism", was part of the 13th China Grassland Culture Forum and examined ways to develop and enhance tourism in the region.

According to Hao Zhicheng, head of tourism school of Inner Mongolia Normal University, who spoke at the Saturday opening ceremony, tourism in Inner Mongolia is still being developed though the number of visitors has been rising in recent years.

He also said that there was a lack of tourism resources in some destinations in the region.

David Picazo, an architect from London-based Makearchitects, who attended the forum, said they will participate in the overall design of resorts in some northeastern areas in Inner Mongolia. These resorts will be in harmony with the environment, he said.

The forum, launched by Hohhot-based Grassland Cultural Protection and Development Fund of Inner Mongolia, is held in Hohhot twice a year.

It has become one of country's major arenas for exchanging ideas among professionals and decision-makers from different sectors to work out ways to better preserve the traditional culture of the region and stimulate the development of local culture.