Stone Forest global geopark Administrative Bureau held its annual work summary conference on December 31, 2015. The reporter got from this conference that Stone Forest global geopark received 3 million visitors annually during the12th Five Years, increasing by 30.9% compared with the period of 11th Five Years. During the period of 12th Five Years, its annual direct tourism income is 5.88 billion yuan, increasing by 40% compared with the 11th Five Year Plan period. In 2015 the park witnessed 4 million visitors and the direct tourism income is 7 billion yuan.

2015 Work Summary Conference

With the leadership of Shilin county government and Shilin county Party committee, Stone Forest global geopark saw massive development in the aspects of tourism transformation and upgrading during the 12th Five Years. During the past 5 years, the annual visitors are over 3 million, increasing by 30.9% compared with the period of 11th Five Years; in 2011 and 2014, the number of visitors is 3 million and 4 million respectively. During the same period its annual direct tourism income is 5.88 billion yuan, increasing by 40% compared with the period of 11th Five Years. In 2011, 2014 and 2015, the direct tourism income is 5 billion, 6 billion and 7 billion respectively.

The park has won many rewards: in 2011 it won the title of Youth Civilization and Science Popularization Base from National Tourism Administration and the Ministry of Land and Resources respectively, in 2012 the title of National Standard Tourism Demonstration Unit, in 2013 the title of the Most Beautiful Geopark and on the List of "2013 Best Chinese tourism", in 2014 the title of National Civilized Unit and National Ecological Tourism Demonstration Area and on the List of "2014 Best Chinese tourism", in 2015 the title of Yunnan Provincial Government Quality Prize, National Ecological Tourism Demonstration Area and National Top10 Scenic Eco-tourism Civilization.

The year of 2016 is the first year of the 13th five years. In the years to come, the park will complete tourism transformation from quantity to quality, from sightseeing-oriented tourism model to leisure tourism, from scenic area tourism to nation wide tourism. It is predicted that the park will have 5 million visitors and tourism comprehensive income will be 10 billion yuan in 2020.

On the summary conference Mr. Wang Bing, party secretary of Shilin county, fully affirmed the achievements made in 12th five years and showed his deep gratitude to all the staff of Stone Forest Geopark Administrative Bureau.

Mr. Wang Bing said he felt happy and sad when facing the achievements made in 12th five years. He was happy because we have made so many new breakthroughs; he was sad because there was still a long and hard way to go in the following years. Mr. Wang Bing said he was excited with the aim of the 13th Five Years and he hoped all staff would spare no efforts to realize the goal.

The conference was presided over by Zhang Qinxun, deputy secretary as well as the county magistrate. County-level leaders Wang Mingtao, Qin Wei, Zhang Zhonggui, Zhe Peixian and Su Yunbo participated in the conference.