The second press conference and mobilization meeting for the 9th Xiangyang Zhuge Liang Cultural Tourism Festival was successfully held
On August 30, 2018, the second press conference and mobilization meeting for the 9th Xiangyang Zhuge Liang Cultural Tourism Festival was held at the Four Seasons Orchid Pavilion Hotel in Xiangcheng District, Xiangyang. The event informed the media about the festival’s activities and preparation progress, and provided a detailed introduction to the “2018 China Hot Air Balloon Club League – Xiangyang Station, Hubei & Xiangyang Hot Air Balloon Dream Sky Festival.”
Li Hongyin, Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Xiangyang Municipal Committee; Long Xiaohong, Vice Mayor of Xiangyang Municipal Government; Tao Lijuan, Head of the Literature and Art Section of the Publicity Department of the Xiangyang Municipal Committee; Li Xiaoja, Deputy Director of the Xiangyang Tourism Commission; Liang Feng, Executive President of Tianrong Company; Ling Yu, President of Shizhi Sports; Guo Kaiqing, Director of the Xiangcheng District Tourism Bureau; Chen Yong, Member of the Standing Committee of the Fan District Committee and Minister of Propaganda; Zhou Junming, Member of the Standing Committee of the Nanzhang County Committee and Executive Deputy County Magistrate; and other leaders attended the meeting. They gave detailed introductions to the overall preparation status of the 9th Zhuge Liang Cultural Tourism Festival, the preparation of the opening ceremony evening gala, and the development of major competition events during this tourism festival. Numerous media outlets including China News Service, Xiangyang Daily, Xiangyang Evening News, Xiangyang Radio and Television Station, Chutian Express, Hubei ChuNet, Hanjiang Net, Xiangyang Government Website, Phoenix Hubei, NetEase Xiangyang, Tencent Dachuwang, Xiangzhou Radio and Television Station, Laohekou Radio and Television Station, Baokang Radio and Television Station, Nanzhang Radio and Television Station, Yicheng Radio and Television Station, and Gucheng Radio and Television Station provided comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the meeting.
It is understood that as one of the series of events of the 9th Xiangyang Zhuge Liang Cultural Tourism Festival, the “2018 China Hot Air Balloon Club League – Xiangyang Station, Hubei & Xiangyang Hot Air Balloon Dream Sky Festival” will also be held concurrently. The China Hot Air Balloon Club League is a national-level hot air balloon competition approved by the General Administration of Sport of China, hosted by the Chinese Aeronautical Sports Association, and exclusively operated by Shizhi Sports. Ling Yu, President of Shizhi Sports, stated that the “2018 China Hot Air Balloon Club League – Xiangyang Station, Hubei & Xiangyang Hot Air Balloon Dream Sky Festival” will combine professional competitions with audience experiences. It will feature five days of aerial competitions and hot air balloon performances starting from September 22, concluding on September 26 with an evening gala dinner to mark a perfect finale to the event.
The professional hot air balloon competitive performances include events such as the Drifting Waltz, the Hare and Hounds, Flight to the Main Venue, and Speed Racing. These will feature exciting contests among 60 professional athletes from 30 top-tier hot air balloon clubs across the country, offering high visual appeal. At the same time, a variety of rich-themed activities have been planned during the event, including hot air balloon flyovers, tethered rides, and aerial weddings. Among them, the tethered hot air balloon experience allows the general public the opportunity to try this novel and fashionable sport—riding a hot air balloon over the ancient city, gliding above the Han River, experiencing the legend of Zhuge in Xiangyang’s airspace, taking in the natural scenery of the ancient city from the air, and enjoying the endless thrills of aviation sports, thus gaining a memorable and exciting travel experience.
It is reported that this marks the first time the China Hot Air Balloon Club League has been held in Xiangyang. As a highlight of the cultural tourism festival, the league will present Xiangyang’s full-range tourism appeal from a new perspective, creating a distinctive low-altitude tourism product that blends historical culture with modern vibrancy. Ultimately, it aims to form a rare low-altitude tourism economic belt encircling the Han River and the ancient city of Xiangyang, radiating to surrounding scenic spots, actively promoting the deep integration of culture, tourism, and sports, and striving to build a “feast of cultural tourism and a festival for the people of Xiangyang.”
The hosting of the 9th Zhuge Liang Cultural Tourism Festival is a significant event for Xiangyang City to implement the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and to meet the people's aspirations for a better life. “Hot air ballooning,” as a bond for urban development, promotes the growth of multiple industrial chains in Xiangyang through low-altitude tourism products, helping to enhance the city’s sustained economic, social, and cultural value. It is conducive to establishing Xiangyang’s unique brand as a sports tourism city. This allows sports tourism enthusiasts and all citizens to enjoy high-level competitive hot air balloon events while personally experiencing a splendid cultural and sports extravaganza, fully showcasing the vitality and passion of Xiangyang in the new era and feeling the city’s boundless charm and beauty.