Advancements in tourism management, services in Yangshuo county

The Yulong River scenic area. [Photo/Guilin Daily]

On Lantern Festival, Feb 24, the Yulong River scenic area in Yangshuo county attracted numerous tourists.

In recent years, the county and the scenic area have carried out improvement actions. During the Spring Festival holiday, the Yulong River scenic area received over 160,000 visitors, generating a tourism income of 13.29 million yuan ($1.84 million), representing a year-on-year increase of 19.43 percent and 45.39 percent, reaching a new high.

To manage the entire 30-kilometer-long Yulong River, the scenic area has implemented a smart cultural and tourism comprehensive management platform, which enables real-time monitoring of the river environment, weather changes, and online operations of raft workers to ensure visitor safety. Drones are used for targeted patrols to monitor weather and hydrological conditions, and to assist staff in diverting visitors during peak times, reducing waiting times.

The scenic area has collaborated with Tencent, a Chinese multinational conglomerate holding company known for its various internet-related services and products, to develop a "one-person-one-identity" real-name ticketing system. Furthermore, in collaboration with Guilin University of Electronic Technology, a comprehensive big data platform has been developed to promptly collect and address visitor feedback. Responding to visitor demands, the scenic area has introduced and upgraded three routes, significantly augmenting visitor satisfaction.

It has transformed some shops into lounges, receiving praise from visitors. The management system has been improved, and a "raft worker home" management system has been established to provide humane care for raft workers.