Core Viewpoint - The tourism industry has entered the 3.0 era, characterized by emotional tourism, where the focus shifts from traditional sightseeing to immersive experiences that cater to tourists' emotional needs [6][7]. Group 1: Emotional Tourism Development - Emotional tourism is driven by tourists' desires for healing, ritual, and social recognition, leading them to pay for experiences that provide atmosphere, emotional engagement, and personalized service [7][8]. - The traditional model of tourism development, which relied on attracting visitors, is facing challenges, and the ability to provide emotional value is becoming a key variable for industry growth [7][8]. Group 2: Characteristics of Emotional Value - Emotional value in tourism is defined as the ability of products and services to resonate with tourists' emotions, fulfilling their needs for release, healing, and emotional repair [8]. - Enhancing emotional value can be achieved through creating immersive environments that evoke comfort and joy, as seen in various innovative tourism projects [8][9]. Group 3: Examples of Successful Emotional Tourism - Successful examples include the immersive experiences at Wuhou Shrine and the "Night Tour Jinjiang" event, which effectively engage tourists by creating a romantic and relaxed cultural atmosphere [8][9]. - New tourism landmarks in Chengdu, such as the Chengdu Sci-Fi Museum and the Zhujiabian Low-altitude Economic Industrial Park, cater to specific emotional and aesthetic preferences of tourists [9].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the transformation of Kaifeng's cultural tourism industry through the integration of modern technology and traditional culture, creating immersive experiences for visitors [1][4][13] - The focus is on how Kaifeng is leveraging its historical and cultural assets to attract younger tourists, enhancing the overall tourism experience and driving economic growth [13][15][16] Group 1: Cultural and Technological Integration - Kaifeng is utilizing "black technology" such as AI, AR, and immersive performances to create engaging cultural experiences, exemplified by the night show "South Yamen Qianqiu Moon" [2][5][7] - The city is moving from passive sightseeing to active participation, with visitors now seeking immersive experiences that resonate emotionally [4][7][10] Group 2: Economic Impact and Tourism Growth - The tourism sector in Kaifeng has seen significant growth, with data indicating that during the "May Day" holiday, the city received 6.88 million domestic tourists, generating a total tourism revenue of 4.93 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 10.03% [13][15] - The rise in demand for high-quality accommodations, such as boutique hotels and themed inns, reflects the changing preferences of younger travelers, with a reported full booking of a 150 million yuan investment boutique hotel during peak seasons [13][15] Group 3: Cultural Revival and Community Engagement - Kaifeng is fostering a cultural revival by creating spaces that allow for slow living and cultural experiences, such as the Huang Song Grand View Cultural Park, which offers traditional activities like incense making and tea ceremonies [10][11][12] - The city is transforming everyday life into cultural experiences, appealing to urban dwellers seeking relaxation and a connection to heritage [12][16] Group 4: Future Directions and Strategic Goals - The article highlights the strategic goal of transforming Kaifeng into a world-class cultural tourism city by integrating cultural heritage with modern tourism practices, aligning with national directives for cultural and tourism development [13][16] - The ongoing efforts in Kaifeng and other cities in Henan province aim to innovate and enhance the cultural tourism landscape, ensuring sustainable growth and a strong cultural identity [14][15][16]