A total of 1.45 million visitors from abroad stayed in Suzhou of Jiangsu province overnight in 2013, creating $980 million dollars in revenue, according to statistics from the Suzhou tourism administration. A total of 95.7 million domestic visitors travelled to Suzhou, and tourism income reached 150.5 billion yuan ($24.87 billion), increasing 10.97 percent and 19.98 percent, respectively, year-on-year.

The Taihu Lake scenic area and Shajiabang (Shanghu Lake) scenic area were approved as 5A-level attractions. Suzhou also ranked high on the satisfaction index list.

A series of tourism festivals were held in 2013, enhancing the city’s influence.

The fourth Suzhou and Taiwan Lantern Festival attracted more than 2.67 million tourists, promoting cooperation and communication in the economy, culture and tourism of Suzhou and Taiwan.

The 16th Suzhou International Tourism Festival held in 2013 included 59 projects. A micro-film competition, one of the main projects, received over 167 film submissions from home and aboard, with hits of over 20 million.

One-day tour regulations

The Suzhou tourism administration made efforts to regulate the one-day trip market due to the many illegal tour guides and agencies in the past.

Travel agencies in the city now are promoting one-day tours with different themes and services.

The administration promoted the concept of quality tours on China tourism day, collecting logo designs and issuing information to the public.

Driving carnival takes people to villages

A self-driving carnival took place over two months in 2013, taking people to villages around Suzhou. Thirty driving routes and 10 events were designed for the carnival.

The Suzhou tourism administration, organizer of the carnival, also applied for investments for the villages to build roads, parking lots, tourist centers and travel signs.