The Sichuan International Cultural Tourism Festival will be held from June 25 to 30 in Ya’an City, it was announced at a press conference Friday.

Jointly sponsored by Sichuan Provincial Tourism Development Committee, the Information Office of Sichuan People’s Government and Ya’an People’s Government, the festival centers around the theme “Beautiful Ya’an: Hometown of Giant Panda.”

The festival is expected to facilitate Sichuan’s integration into the Belt and Road Initiative, promote giant panda as a cultural brand of the province, improve Sichuan’s tourism image and help Ya’an develop into an international tourist destination featuring giant panda.

The festival will consist of various activities, such as sightseeing in scenic areas, experiencing distinctive folk customs, sports events, forums and seminars and business talks.

Highlights will include culture- and tourism-themed exhibitions and performances, the 2017 Ya’an Summit on Integration of Panda Tourism and Ecotourism, visiting the panda home in Ya’an, trekking along the ancient Tea Trading Route, a global contest on innovative tourism products featuring the giant panda and an exhibition of the excellent contest entries, soliciting designs of mascots for Ya’an featuring the giant panda and a photography contest focusing on Ya’an’s tourism.

Since its inauguration in 2003, the annual festival has become an influential tourism event both at home and abroad.