A welcome ceremony for the 2025 Malaysia Team Building and Praying Group took place on June 14 at the Taohuayu expansion base at the foot of Taishan Mountain in Tai'an city, Shandong province. The delegation, consisting of 254 participants, is the largest Southeast Asian inbound tour group received by Shandong this year, underscoring the province's growing appeal to international tourists.

The group was organized by Apple Vacations, Malaysia's largest travel agency. Established in 1996, the company offers tours to more than 50 destinations across Asia and sends nearly 10,000 tourists to China annually.

In 2024, Tai'an increased efforts to attract international visitors and boost its global visibility. In February, the city launched the measures to promote inbound tourism, followed by supplementary strategies in May. These initiatives focus on developing high-quality travel services, optimizing tour route designs, and providing targeted support to tourism enterprises.

To expand its presence abroad, Tai'an officials conducted promotional campaigns in Seoul and Tokyo in March, targeting key markets in Japan and South Korea. The city also introduced themed inbound travel itineraries centered on Taishan Mountain and issued customized travel guides for visitors from Japan, South Korea, and China's Hong Kong. Online promotion was strengthened through partnerships with Trip.com and Douyin, involving international influencers to demonstrate local culture and attractions.

The arrival of the Malaysian group underscores Tai'an's proactive approach to inbound tourism and international cooperation. Looking ahead, the city plans to further engage with Southeast Asian markets and strengthen its position as a gateway to traditional Chinese culture.

A welcome ceremony for the 2025 Malaysia Team Building and Praying Group takes place on June 14 at the Taohuayu expansion base at the foot of Taishan Mountain in Tai'an city, Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat  account: SDTXTA]