By HowToTrip News, April 24–25, with the support of the Wujiang Tourism Bureau and hosted by the Wujiang Hotel Management Group and Suzhou Wujiang Tourism Development Co., Ltd., the “Gather in Wujiang – Dongtaihu Auto Forum”—the 2015 First Yangtze River Delta (Wujiang) Self-Drive Tourism Industry Forum—was successfully held at the Wujiang Hotel.
Leaders from tourism associations in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, heads of over 50 auto clubs, representatives from more than 10 auto service and tourism service enterprises, and delegates from over 30 local tourism businesses in Wujiang gathered to discuss the development and planning of self-drive tourism in the Yangtze River Delta region. Pilot collaborations for self-drive tourism will be carried out in Wujiang.
During the forum, the Wujiang Hotel Management Group proposed establishing a self-drive tourism marketing service center to integrate local hotel resources; Suzhou Wujiang Tourism Development Co., Ltd. recommended Wujiang International Travel Agency Co., Ltd. to integrate local scenic spots, dining, and entertainment resources. Together, they will provide self-drive tourists from the Yangtze River Delta and across the country with consultation and reception services. Drivers can enjoy comprehensive services including hotel and attraction booking consultations, route guidance, guide interpretation, and driving support, as well as customized travel products based on individual needs.
At the forum, representatives from Avis Car Rental, the RV Camping Branch of the China Automobile Dealers Association, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University introduced three new models: local car rental for self-drive trips, RV camping self-drive tours, and “green self-drive” using new energy vehicles. In the near future, car rental companies will establish supporting local rental services in Wujiang; the Shanghai RV Travel Center will collaborate with the organizers to plan RV tourism destination service stations in Wujiang; new energy vehicle companies and charging pile providers will also work with Wujiang hotels and attractions to accelerate the development of a “green self-drive” and “car-sharing” service network in Wujiang, offering services for new energy vehicle owners and self-drive tourists visiting Wujiang.
During the event, the Wujiang Hotel Management Group signed memoranda of understanding with organizations such as the cross-strait consortium Pohai Union and the high-end women’s club Meirenhui, aiming to provide high-quality hotel resort products for successful individuals. Suzhou Wujiang Tourism Development Co., Ltd. signed self-drive tourism service cooperation memoranda with auto clubs in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, offering preferential tourism policies and incentive programs. It also signed a cooperation agreement with the Wujiang Ouya Auto Club, whose over 10 service outlets will provide comprehensive rescue services for self-drive tourists in Wujiang. The Wujiang Tourism Bureau also introduced major tourism events in Wujiang for 2015 to all attendees and welcomed self-drive enthusiasts from across the country to visit Wujiang.
On the afternoon of April 25, over 50 auto clubs divided into four exploration fleets to tour four self-drive routes themed around the Silk Road Origins, Quality Resort, Ancient Towns & Gardens, and Fashion & Excitement. They fully experienced Wujiang’s specialty products, natural scenery, garden art, and the charm of modern tourism. These four self-drive routes will be submitted as candidate routes for Wujiang’s participation in the Third China Self-Drive Congress’s “36 Lifetime Must-Drive Routes.”