Even though tourism came to a standstill in 2020 due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, Jiangsu Province Culture and Tourism Office in Singapore started 2021 on a high note with a conference of industry experts, travel trade and media to share ideas on promoting the attractions of Jiangsu province 👏👏👏
Jiangsu province 江苏 is north of Shanghai city on the east coast of China which is famous for its natural beauty, history and cuisine. Jiangsu enjoys the highest per capital income of Chinese provinces and has 13 cities with over 5 million population. Every city has its unique history and attractions. Jiangsu's capital is the ancient city of Nanjing.
A video presentation on the beauty of Jiangsu province set the tone for the meeting. It reminded me of my own eye and mind opening visit to Jiangsu in 2018 (that seems so long ago now).
For 2021, the main themes of Jiangsu tourism promotion are:
📖 Nanjing, the Capital of World Literature
🥢 Yangzhou, the Capital of World Food
🚅 Lianhuaiyang Town High-speed Rail
🚅 Yantong High-speed Rail
👉 Jiangsu’s heritage treasures such as the Xuzhou Han dynasty (202 BCE - 220 AD) terracotta warriors (image courtesy of Wikipedia). These Xuzhou terracotta warriors are from the same era as the terracotta warriors of Xian (210 - 209 BCE).
These attractions make me long for a return visit to Jiangsu as soon as possible for the fascinating sights, people, culture and cuisine.
Xu Xunhua 徐循华, Deputy Inspector Jiangsu Province Department of Culture & Tourism addressed the conference via Internet, warmly inviting participants to visit Jiangsu as soon as the pandemic is over. Yes, I can't wait.
Xiao Jianghua 肖江华, director of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre thanked the participants for their support and commitment, coming forward with ideas to promote tourism to Jiangsu despite challenges the pandemic posed. He hoped that the conference will produce new ways and ideas to develop Jiangsu tourism.
Juneyao Airlines 吉祥航空 Singapore Branch CEO announced that scheduled weekly direct flight service between Singapore to Wuxi city will be launched on 11 Jan 2021.
The 5 hours and 30 minutes flights are scheduled every Monday. This is very encouraging news and reflects the fighting spirit of Jiangsu travel and tourism industry. They are poised to receive tourists once the pandemic is over. (Image courtesy of Wikipedia.)
Travel trade and media at the conference had lively and interesting exchanges on ideas to restart the Jiangsu tourism market.
Sino-American Tourism 中美旅游 Deputy General Manager 符芳华 Fanghua said that Suqian Wine Culture in 苏北 (northern Jiangsu) and Huaguo Mountain in Lianyungang are popular attractions. Flower viewing in Mountain Forest Park is also Jiangsu's big selling point for the Singapore market. With the opening of tourism after the pandemic, she will focus on these attractions in north Jiangsu with 4 to 5 day itineraries for small groups.
Kangtai Travel Agency 康泰旅行社 Manager 郑晓甄 Zheng Xiaozhen said that up-to-date information on travel regulations and Covid-19 containment measures of hotels and restaurants would reassure tourists when tourism resumes after the pandemic.
I suggested that we could curate a food trail of Jiangsu cuisine in Singapore. Experiencing Jinagsu food as a window to Jiangsu attractions and culture, we can "tour Jiangsu" without passport. This could build up demand for visits to Jiangsu, just in time for post-Covid tourism.
Jiangsu we are coming!
This meaningful and successful Jiangsu Culture & Tourism Promotion Conference is organised by 秦永忠 Paul Qin Yongzhong (left), head of Jiangsu Tourism (Singapore) Promotion Centre and his team.
To start the year with a conference despite the uncertainties of Covid-19 reflects the confidence and commitment of the organisers and participants to take Jiangsu tourism to greater heights together.
Date: 7 Jan 2021
