Shanghai Sheshan National Tourist Resort, in the city's southwestern Songjiang district, is working to promote the concept of holistic tourism to support the upgrade of its travel industry.

"We plan to develop the resort into a natural ecosystem demonstration zone, a social and cultural development area, the top tourism destination for local residents, a gathering spot for tourism businesses, a place to demonstrate the beauty of Shanghai and a new benchmark among national-level tourism resorts," said Qin Jian, head of Songjiang district.

The resort developers vowed to strengthen greenbelt construction during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20). By the end of 2020, greenery will cover 50 percent of the land in the resort, increasing from 47 percent in 2016. Forest coverage will increase to 35 percent in 2020, from 32 percent in 2016.

Holistic tourism has been gaining momentum globally as more and more travelers search for activities and programs that bring balance to their body, mind and spirit.

A government official said holistic tourism means transforming the traditional sightseeing model into more slow-paced and leisurely tours by integrating resources and industries and involving the whole community.

In March, the Boao Forum For Asia conference released a report on such tourism, called the Qionghai Consensus. It defines holistic tourism as a model that encourages people to consider the positive effects of tourism on the economy, society, culture and environmental development.

The model pays attention to the overall planning and scientific management of resources to promote industrial integration, so that tourists and local residents can enjoy a higher standard of living.

Yang Jinsong, director of the Shanghai Tourism Administration, said that Shanghai will support the resort to develop more leisure tourism functions, improve public service capacity, upgrade the industry chain and strengthen administrative mechanisms, so that the resort can achieve better results in its industrial upgrade throughout the upcoming years.

On Jan 1 every year, local people climb Sheshan Mountain to pray for an auspicious new year. Photos provided to China Daily