Countries in Northeast Asia will deepen their tourism cooperation, according to information released at the 14th International Forum of Northeast Asia Tourism, which was held in Harbin in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province on Aug 31.

The International Forum of Northeast Asia Tourism has been successfully held 13 times.

Organizers say it promotes international tourism cooperation in Northeast Asia and has important significance in guiding business practice through academic research. It is also an important brand for tourism conventions and exhibitions in the region.

This year’s forum had as its theme “Northeast Asia tourism: new era, new opportunity and new development”. It was attended by experts, academics, business representatives and government officials from China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and Mongolia.

Attendees from the tourism industry discussed development trends in their sector in Northeast Asia. They also discussed tourism products development and sustainable development of tourism – as well as training and cooperation, resources and optimizing facilities.

They also analyzed the tourism destination market and tourist source markets and proposed to further promote the integration of the tourism industry in Northeast Asia.

He Dawei, deputy director of the Heilongjiang Provincial Culture and Tourism Department, told the forum that Heilongjiang was taking a series of measures to boost the development of its tourism industry.

He said it was adhering to the concept "Green Hills and Clear Waters Are Gold and Silver Mountains" -- a concept proposed by President Xi Jinping. Tourism was making an increasing contribution to the GDP of the whole province, the senior official added.

The Heilongjiang-headquartered Northeast Asia Strategy Research Institute and the Far East International Relations College of Russia also signed an agreement at the forum, in a bid to boost regional tourism between Heilongjiang province and the Far East of Russia.

The opening ceremony for the 14th International Forum of Northeast Asia Tourism is held in Harbin, in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, on Aug 31. [Photo/people.cn]

He Dawei, deputy director of Heilongjiang Provincial Culture and Tourism Department, delivers a speech to the forum on Aug 31. [Photo/people.cn]

Representatives from the Northeast Asia Strategy Research Institute and the Far East International Relations College of Russia sign a regional tourism agreement at the forum in Harbin on Aug 31. [Photo/people.cn]