Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism

OWED TO BOTH business and leisure travel, the role of tourism is rising as an additional driver of economic success across Shanghai – an industry that the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism is helping to propel.

Patrick Chen took the time out to answer our questions, providing insight as to why Shanghai is becoming such an illustrious, fruitful tourist hotspot.

Asia Outlook (AsO): Can you firstly talk me through the origins of the SMACT, how it came about, and its initial vision?

Patrick Chen (PC): China started a new round of institutional reforms of the State Council last year. As a result, it now consists of 26 ministries and commissions, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Under this umbrella, the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, also known as SMACT, formed in November last year.

The SMACT is the component department of Shanghai Municipal Government responsible for the development and management of the culture and tourism industries in Shanghai. It consists of 20 departments including promotions and marketing, resources development, industry development, museum, media, intangible cultural heritage and preservation of culture relics departments, amongst others.

Ultimately, our mission is to promote Shanghai as an ideal destination for business, exhibitions, MICE and indeed leisure.

AsO: Since inception, how has the SMACT developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across?

PC: Culture and tourism have a tight connection. Culture is the soul of the tourism industry, and tourism is the carrier of the culture. Since inception, our task has been to promote the development of the culture and tourism industry and spearhead the market, promoting the supply of more high-quality products.

On March 3, 2019 we issued 40 recommended tours in Shanghai, combined with the main culture and tourism resources. Among these tours, you can visit the popular scenic spots, taste delicious food, visit theatres, museums, art centres and so on. Through attending a variety of tourism

fairs and exhibitions both home and abroad, we update the market with the latest information on Shanghai. Besides this, we also invite foreign travel agencies and media groups to tour the city.

AsO: How would you say Shanghai has developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are the key reasons behind its growing appeal?

PC: Our convenient visa policy helps the development of business travel in Shanghai. Besides Chinese visas, foreigners can also apply for 144-hour transit visa-free stopovers in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang province with certain requests. For tourist groups there are port visas and 15-day visa-free policies which are valid for those who visit Shanghai by cruise.

There are also many international meetings, conferences, events and expositions held in Shanghai every year, and about 49 scientific research institutes and colleges and universities. Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism is the secretary