Wuxi hosts a cultural and tourism service industry investment promotion event in Shanghai from Sept 13 to 14. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

As the Shanghai Tourism Festival is now underway, the tourism authority of Wuxi held the 2026 Wuxi Cultural and Tourism Service Industry (Shanghai) Investment Promotion Event on Sept 13 and 14 to forge a partnership with Shanghai.

During the event, representatives from Wuxi's cultural and tourism departments, key parks and scenic areas, and cultural tourism enterprises engaged with Shanghai's top platforms, including Ctrip, Bilibili, and Xiaohongshu, to explore potential avenues of collaboration. This strategic move highlights Wuxi's integration into the Yangtze River Delta region and the Greater Shanghai Metropolitan Area.

Selected by the Creative Cities Network of UNESCO as a City of Music and a key city in China's tourism development during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, Wuxi boasts a robust cultural tourism industry, comprising 1,140 major cultural enterprises with total revenues exceeding 187.6 billion yuan ($27.99 billion).

Some of the various tourist attractions on offer in Wuxi. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

It is transitioning from "tourism resource display" to "tourism experience consumption", with the shift driven by the need for creative resources, digital technology, a sound operational model and capital investment, all areas in which Shanghai excels.

The event showcased Wuxi's diverse tourism offerings, from digital technology to water-based leisure. Companies like Ctrip and Bilibili expressed strong interest in deepening cooperation, noting significant growth in Wuxi's online travel metrics.

The event resulted in several agreements being signed, including projects in aerospace tourism, cultural innovation, and outdoor sports. The partnership aims to enhance both cities' tourism industries by developing joint products and routes, leveraging Shanghai's status as an entry hub for international tourists.

By fostering the deep integration of culture and industry, Wuxi and Shanghai are setting the stage for a sustainable, mutually beneficial tourism ecosystem.