The local authority of Qingdao estimated that the rural tourism sector will receive 29 million tourists that are expected to bring in 16 billion yuan in tourism expenditures in the coming year in an action plan for rural tourism.

The action plan for upgrading rural tourism in 2018 also predicted that 100,000 farming households will benefit from the growth in the sector.

To realize the goals, Qingdao will improve matching tourism infrastructure and services, such as toilets, parking lots, and consultancy services, by encouraging private capital to make investment.

The government will also push for private investors’ participation in the construction of camping sites for self-driving tourists, and try to incubate one or two e-commerce platforms for local rural tourism products.

The plan also aims to introduce diversified elements to enrich the structure of macrocosm tourism and to develop and promote rural tourism brands with distinctive features, focusing on introduction of small and medium-sized capital.