The annual International Tourism Commodities Expo will be grandly held from May 24–27, 2013, at the Yiwu International Expo Center in Zhejiang Province. The 5th China International Tourism Commodities Expo is jointly organized by the National Tourism Administration and the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, and hosted by the China Tourism Association, the Zhejiang Provincial Tourism Bureau, and the People's Government of Yiwu City. Guided by the purpose of “implementing national strategies, benefiting people’s livelihood, promoting industrial integration, and developing the tourism industry,” and themed around “the trend of smart tourism and the trade fair of tourism commodities,” the event aims to further expand domestic and international markets and enhance overall competitiveness.
Yiwu has become one of China’s most attractive and promising convention and exhibition cities. It is also the first county-level city in the country authorized to host overseas exhibitions and has been honored as an Outstanding Tourism City by the National Tourism Administration. As a key region for the research, production, and distribution of tourism commodities, Yiwu plays a vital role in tourism development. Tourism commodities, as part of tourism resources, are an important related industry in the tourism value chain. Moreover, Yiwu is currently the world’s largest small commodities distribution center, boasting unique resource and market advantages. It integrates trade, logistics, and information services, with profound cultural heritage and a thriving commercial sector—truly “small but complete in all aspects.” Yiwu’s service industries such as transportation and logistics are well-developed. Its civil aviation airport operates within a 4C flight zone, serving over 500,000 passengers annually, with international travelers accounting for more than 40%. There are eight hotels rated four stars or above. Yiwu is also a key hinterland of Zhejiang Province, with convenient transportation infrastructure. A “tourism shopping commodities” policy and simplified classification system have been tailor-made for Yiwu, along with a new “rail-sea combined transport” customs clearance model for small commodities. Cross-border, one-stop customs clearance has been implemented with Ningbo Port and Shanghai Port. Yiwu’s logistics network reaches over 250 large and medium-sized cities across China, and among the world’s top 20 maritime shipping companies, 3,059 foreign procurement enterprises have established representative offices in Yiwu. The city handles 576,000 TEUs of exports annually, distributing goods to 219 countries and regions.
To highlight tourism commodities, promote the tourism industry, and drive comprehensive industrial upgrading, the organizing committee, along with leaders from the Zhejiang Provincial Tourism Bureau and the Yiwu Municipal Government, have actively engaged in pre-expo promotion. They have visited Tianjin, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Hunan, Fujian, Jiangxi, and various cities in Zhejiang Province to promote the 5th China International Tourism Expo. They introduced the preparatory progress of the 5th Tourism Commodities Expo and the economic development of Yiwu, fostering exchanges, expanding cooperation, enhancing promotional impact, achieving resource sharing, complementary strengths, and market synergy for mutual benefits—all laying a solid foundation for the successful hosting of the Tourism Commodities Expo.
This Tourism Commodities Expo will feature 2,000 international standard booths. It is expected to attract over 90,000 domestic professional buyers and visitors, including more than 8,000 international professional attendees and over 60 trade delegations. The exhibition will focus on tourism equipment products, outdoor leisure items, hotel supplies, tourism souvenirs, creative R&D of tourism commodities, and other related sectors. Professional procurement teams will be invited for on-site purchasing negotiations. Additionally, supporting activities such as product competitions and industry forums will be held. Extensive promotion will be carried out through major TV stations, magazines, advertisements, and online media.
The 5th Tourism Commodities Expo will continue to promote the industrialization, marketization, and specialization of tourism commodities. The goal is to make this expo a highly market-oriented, well-themed, targeted, distinctly international, and meticulously serviced international tourism commodities event. The charming city of Yiwu will once again shine on the global stage of international commodity trade this May in the marketplace district.