During the Spring Festival holiday, Hunan's ecotourism sector generated a total revenue of 11.384 billion CNY, marking a 51.65% increase compared to the same period last year. The Hunan Provincial Forestry Department announced on February 25 that during the holiday, the province leveraged its ecological resources to attract visitors through distinctive activities such as "folk customs+ ecology" and "flower viewing + sightseeing." These efforts helped improve the quality of ecotourism models, attracting a cumulative 17.4241 million visits and fostering holiday consumption trends.

The deep integration of folk customs and ecological resources ignited enthusiasm for travel during the holiday. Major ecological attractions across the province delved into ethnic cultures and traditional New Year customs to create distinctive immersive experiences. Mangshan Mountain National Forest Park invited foreign influencers to celebrate the "Yao New Year," giving them a taste of the festive atmosphere of the Yao ethnic group. Jiubujiang Scenic Area launched a "Duck-Catching Festival," retaining visitors with entertaining folk activities. Bu'ermen National Forest Park featured a "Celebrating the New Year Around Fire Pit" event, blending Tujia customs with natural ecology. The harmony of bustling life and ethnic culture made the park a popular holiday destination.

Flower appreciation and sightseeing synergized to ignite ecological tourism. Multiple ecotourism sites have leveraged blooming flowers to showcase natural scenery, continuously attracting visitors. At Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, plum blossoms are in full bloom, creating a picturesque scene where towering peaks and delightful blossoms complement each other. Meanwhile, the park's souvenir sales are booming. Zhongpo National Forest Park launched a camellia flower-themed event, drawing large crowds eager for spring outings. The Fifth Plum Blossom Festival kicked off at the Scenic Area of Emperor Yan's Mausoleum during the holiday, where taking photos with plum blossoms became a trendy activity.

"The implementation of policies for improving people's livelihood has significantly enhanced travel experience," said a spokesperson from the Hunan Provincial Forestry Bureau. During the Spring Festival holiday, numerous scenic spots across the province offered preferential measures such as free admission and complimentary experiences to stimulate consumer spending. Jiubujiang Scenic Area waived admission fees, resulting in a 32% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers. Wuxi Stele Forest Scenic Area offered free daytime access, allowing residents and tourists to experience the beauty of stele forest culture and riverside ecology.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn