Intl conference highlights Guizhou's mountain tourism and outdoor sports

Traditional ethnic dances take the stage at the opening ceremony. [Photo provided to eguizhou.gov.cn]

Representatives of international organizations, tourism industry associations, tourism enterprises, experts and scholars have gathered in Southwest China's Guizhou province to explore new ways of integrating mountain tourism and outdoor sports with health and wellness tourism and extended-stay travel.

The discussions are taking place at the International Conference of Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports (MTOS) 2026, running from Nov 8 to 11 in Xingyi, Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture.

Since its launch in 2015, the conference has not only witnessed the growth of mountain tourism in Guizhou, but also reflected changing travel preferences over the past decade. Visitors are no longer content with simply enjoying scenic views. Instead, they seek hands-on participation, immersive experiences, and travel experiences that enhance their quality of life.

Discussions at this year's conference, including sessions on mountain-based healthcare and wellness retreats, as well as integrating mountain living environments with the extended-stay tourism industry, reflect this growing trend.

In 2017, Guizhou established the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA), headquartered in Guiyang. Today, the alliance has grown into an international cooperation platform connecting mountain tourism organizations, businesses, and professionals from multiple countries and regions. Through industry standards, professional exchanges, and tourism promotion, it works to advance mountain tourism worldwide.

From hosting international conferences to contributing to the development of mountain tourism standards and fostering global industry exchanges, Guizhou is seeking to turn its local experience in mountain tourism development into a platform for international cooperation.

Guizhou is rich in karst landscapes, where mountains, canyons, rivers, and ethnic villages combine to create distinctive natural and cultural scenery. In the past, its rugged terrain posed challenges to transportation and regional development. Today, continued infrastructure improvements and an increasingly diverse range of tourism offerings are turning these geographical features into competitive advantages for mountain outdoor sports, leisure, and resort tourism.