Harbin tops the list of China's ice and snow tourist cities, according to the 2017 Harbin tourism promotion conference held on Feb 14.

In 2016, total tourism revenue reached a new record high of 103.9 billion yuan ($15.1 billion), an increase of 14.4 percent compared with last year.

The number of tourists increased to 70.61 million, up 8.4 percent compared with 2015. The tourism industry is increasingly becoming a new engine for economic growth in Harbin.

Harbin's tourism industry is one of the most prosperous industries in the city, according to the Harbin government.

In 2017, Harbin will make further efforts to build the region into a renowned summer resort, as well as continuing to be a major ice and snow destination.

Since 2012, 25 new tourist scenic spots have been opened and 184 new tourist agencies have been established in Harbin. Meanwhile, 13 colleges and eight vocational schools have started to offer tourism majors.