Guizhou hosts intl conference to explore mountain tourism opportunities

The opening ceremony of the International Conference of Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports 2026 is held in Xingyi. [Photo provided to eguizhou.gov.cn]

The International Conference of Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports 2026 opened on Nov 8 in Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Guizhou province and will run through Nov 11.

Nearly 400 guests are attending, including government representatives from countries and regions such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, as well as experts, industry professionals, and business representatives from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Yangtze River Delta, the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, and neighboring provinces.

The conference features a diverse lineup of events, including the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) Night of Wanfenglin, an opening ceremony, the IMTA’s 2026 Annual Conference, a series of roundtables on “Mountain Tourism+," and experiential activities.

Other highlights include the World Famous Mountains Photography Exhibition celebrating the conference's 10-year journey, alongside various outdoor sports competitions.

With industry discussions, research releases, business matchmaking, and outdoor sports and culture showcases, the event provides a platform for international exchange and cooperation. Domestic and international tourism experts will deliver keynote speeches, and new research findings on mountain and outdoor sports are set to be released.

More than 100 overseas travel operators, media representatives, and social media influencers will also visit destinations across Guizhou for inspection tours, aiming to turn their online engagement and visitor traffic into tangible benefits for the province's scenic attractions, rural guesthouses and integrated tourism complexes, giving fresh momentum to Guizhou's cultural and tourism industry.