Fu Qingmei: Integrating culture and tourism in rural Guizhou

Fu strives to boost Hezhang county by developing culture and tourism industries. [Photo/colorful Guizhou network]

As Fu Qingmei preparing for her third participation in the national two sessions, she felt a mix of excitement and the weight of responsibility. As a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) and the deputy head of Hezhang county in Southwest China's Guizhou province, she saw great potential in promoting the integration of culture and tourism, utilizing Hezhang's unique natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

To drive high-quality development, Hezhang focused on three key elements: enhancing strengths, addressing weaknesses, and meeting tourist demands. The county introduced unique culinary activities, developed over 100 rural homestays and tourist restaurants, and created more than 20 specialty dishes. With the establishment of a four-star hotel, the total number of hotel and homestay beds reached 13,739.

In 2024, Hezhang welcomed over 4.6 million tourists and generated nearly 4.6 billion yuan (634 million) in tourism revenue, marking 10 percent and 17 percent year-on-year increases, respectively.

As she prepares for the upcoming national two sessions, Fu is ready to propose suggestions on education, healthcare, social security, and rural revitalization, making her contribution to Hezhang's economic development.