The Hailuogou Administration Department takes the initiative in the campaign of "Caring for Left-behind Children". It voluntarily subsidizes many trips for these children to help them realize their dreams, evincing its affectionate and responsible social image. Here is an interview with Tan Zhiquan, director of the Hailuogou Administration Department.
Q: Why does the administration department take an active part in this campaign of Caring for the Left-behind Children?
Tan: It is a worldwide practice in tourism for tourist spots with a global reputation to take on more social responsibilities. Engaging in caring for the disadvantaged is essential to the brand building of our scenic spot, which is preparing to be established as a national 5A-level tourism site.
We aim to provide opportunities of family reunion and travelling for the left-behind children. Such children are deprived of parental care, let alone playing or travelling with their long-absent parents. More importantly, through our efforts, we hope to encourage more organizations and individuals to help the disadvantaged and promote virtues.
Q: Can you briefly introduce the progress in the development of the Hailuogou scenic spot, especially in its preparations for being established as a national 5A-level tourism site.
Tan: The Hailuogou boasts high-quality resources in tourism and huge potential for development. We define our practical strategies in tourism as 1) setting the aim of building "a global destination for mountain tourism" and the task of being established as both a national 5A-level tourism site and a national tourist resort; 2) improving infrastructure in transport, town, and tourism; 3) boosting planning, marketing, people's well-being and the combination of agriculture and tourism; 4) guaranteeing key elements of organization, institution, intelligence, fund and external environment. Up to now, substantial progress has been made and the scenic spot has received 550,000 tourist visits this year.
Being established as a national 5A-level tourism site is a must for the Hailuogou to boost its tourism and to suit the current trends. This process has received support from various levels of governments. April 2014 witnessed the holding of a provincial work conference for tourism in the Tibetan habitations of the Sichuan Province. A leadership team was also set up in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, consisting of principal officials from the prefectural government. Our target is to finish the establishment of a national 5A-level tourism site before Oct. 2015.
