Huangling Leads the Way in Global Rural Tourism Cooperation

Rural tourism is an essential and growing sector of the global tourism market. To foster collaboration, share experiences, and promote best practices across rural destinations, Huangling took the initiative to host the first Village Head Conference in 2018, marking the beginning of a groundbreaking movement in rural tourism.

That same year, Huangling partnered with nearly 100 tourism villages—including Champigny-en-Beauce in France, Hollókő in Hungary, Yuanjiacun in Shaanxi, and Xiaogang Village in Anhui—to establish the International Rural Tourism Village Heads Alliance. The alliance's secretariat is headquartered in Huangling, positioning the village at the heart of global rural tourism cooperation.

Building on this foundation, the second conference in 2022 and the third in 2024 significantly expanded the event’s international scope. Huangling welcomed renowned rural tourism destinations from around the world, including more than a dozen villages recognized by the United Nations as "Best Tourism Villages." These included:

· SanGinesio, Italy

· Rupit, Spain

· Miyama, Japan

· Andermatt, Switzerland

· Dongbaek andSehwa, Jeju Island, South Korea

· THAI HAI, Vietnam

· Sidi Kaouki, Morocco

From China, distinguished villages such as Xidi, Yucun, Dazhaicun, Zhujiawan, Zangnana, Xiajiang, and Jingzhu also joined. Together,  these participants shared development strategies, explored rural revitalization models, and embarked on field visits to renowned cultural and tourism destinations including Jingdezhen and Huangshan.

A Platform for Exchange, Innovation, and Global Impact

The three successful Village Head Conferences and the ongoing work of the International Rural Tourism Village Heads Alliance have created a powerful platform for collaboration, cultural exchange, and joint promotion. By bringing together the strengths and insights of rural communities around the world, the initiative fosters a spirit of inclusivity, shared learning, and mutual growth.

This pioneering effort by Huangling has not only deepened global friendships but also contributed to the high-quality, sustainable development of rural tourism worldwide—positioning the village as a leader in rural tourism innovation and international cooperation.