Joining in

Science popularization and educational tourism products currently rely on museums, science centers, natural and cultural heritage sites and renowned universities, said the article by the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research.

These facilities and venues usually stand alone, with limited activity spaces and subject matter, leading to a greater emphasis on sightseeing rather than education.

However, integrating educational, industrial and cultural tourism is creating more opportunities.

"Visiting large enterprises for research and study is a trend this year, which is both a part of industrial tourism and sci-tech tourism," said Zhong Hui, Chairman of Shangyouhui International Travel Agency.

Xiang Xiang, a Chinese businessman based in Australia, said, "You can see that many manufacturing plants in Hefei are actively incorporating intelligent experiences and cultural tourism visits."

Xiang made the remarks during a tour of international travel agencies as part of the 14th Anhui International Culture and Tourism Festival, which kicked off in Hefei on Sept 10.

"Integrating technology with cultural tourism is a very good practice, and it is a feature of Hefei," said Xiang, who visited high-tech firms including AI developer iFlytek, and NEV startup Nio.

Leveraging its experience in the field, the Hefei-based iFlytek officially launched AI research and study courses last year tailored to students of different levels to help them understand various AI technologies and their latest applications.

This year, iFlytek also initiated the "AI Planet Adventure 2024" national tour, inviting students to immerse themselves in the applications of AI in their daily life and inspiring them to actively explore and research the technology.

Gui Yang, a student from neighboring Lu'an city, recently explored technological innovation through one of iFlytek's research and study activities.

"After experiencing the multidimensional applications of AI in the research and study courses, which are integrated into various aspects of life, I have gained many insights," he said. "I believe innovation not only refers to inventing something new, but also signifies continuous development and progress, provided that one understands science and learns to innovate," said Gui.

Zhao Mei, from the China Tourism Association, thinks Hefei has fully tapped into its industrial civilization, technological culture, and tourism resources, and promoted the deep integration of tourism and industrial parks.

"This initiative is a crucial step in enhancing Hefei's visibility and influence, helping to establish high-quality new businesses for technology and industrial tourism in Hefei," said Zhao.