The tourism industry in Shanxi province made a show of strength by generating deals worth more than 7 million yuan ($1.09 million) at a tourism expo in Taiyuan, which concluded Tuesday.

The expo, held from Oct 15 to 18, recorded an increase in participation compared to last year, marking a new height for the event. More than 100 travel companies ranging from travel agencies and tourist attractions to specialty sellers and outdoor equipment manufacturers joined in the expo.

The Shanxi tourism expo opens on Oct 15 at the Taiyuan Coal Transaction Center. The expo aims to boost local tourism and promote Shanxi culture. Six display areas were set up at the expo, covering 12,000 square meters and including a recreational vehicle camping exhibition and a specialty fair. [Photo/sxrb.com]

Official travel bureaus from 11 cities in Shanxi and 10 provinces across China, including the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Hainan, also attended and exhibited their unique landscapes, cultures and tourist attractions.

"The expo aims to benefit more tourists and boost the tourism industry in Shanxi. It also allows exhibitors from around China to share their unique resources associated with tourism and promote quality services," said Wang Jihong, an official from the Shanxi tourism bureau.

During the four-day exhibition, deals on travel products, services and recreational vehicles reached 7.37 million yuan ($1.09 million), while agreements worth 32.11 million yuan were discussed.

Tourism business in Shanxi gained more success at this year's expo thanks to quality travel services and products focusing on promoting local intangible cultural heritages. Shanxi exhibitors showed their folk arts, handicrafts and specialties to visitors on the scene, including ballad performances local to Xinzhou and handmade tiger dolls from Yuncheng.

Eleven cities in Shanxi province display folk arts, handicrafts and local specialties to visitors. This year's expo highlighted the combination of intangible cultural heritages and modern tourism. Visitors enjoyed art shows and traditional handiwork performed by local artists on the scene, furthering the understanding of folk culture behind different tourist attractions and cities. [Photo/news.cn]

Coal carvings from Yangquan city attracted many tourists and business representatives. Not only are the carvings, made of gangue, jet and other coal materials, exquisite artifacts with a long history, they are also environmentally friendly products which can absorb impurities and clean the air.

Economical tour plans and discounted admission tickets were offered by travel agencies and scenic spots. Visitor-oriented tourism services and products furthered visitors' understanding of Shanxi and its culture, stimulating their demand for travelling in the province.

As a vital communication and transaction platform for tourism in China, the Shanxi Tourism Expo seeks to advance tourism cooperation with other provinces in the coming years while making the industry a new strong supporting element in the region's economic growth.