Core Insights - The China Scenic Area Association aims to assist more scenic areas in applying for World Heritage status while promoting ecological protection and sustainable development [1][5] Group 1: World Heritage Application - The association will enhance communication and collaboration among regions, breaking down market segmentation and local protectionism to improve the overall effectiveness of scenic areas [1] - The successful application of the "Badain Jaran Desert - Sand Mountain Lake Group" as a World Heritage site has significantly increased local international visibility and accelerated the development of cultural tourism [1][2] Group 2: Economic Impact - The "Badain Jaran Desert - Sand Mountain Lake Group" received over 3.83 million visitors and generated a cultural tourism revenue of 2.192 billion yuan in the past year [2] - Over the past 20 years, China has established a comprehensive natural protection system, integrating various types of natural parks and implementing significant ecological restoration projects [2] Group 3: Sustainable Development - The association emphasizes the importance of top-level design for the sustainable development of scenic areas, ensuring that planning meets both ecological protection and cultural tourism integration needs [5][6] - There is a focus on deepening cooperation between the scenic area industry, enterprises, and academic institutions to foster innovation in planning and design [5][6] Group 4: Cultural and Natural Integration - Scenic areas, which embody both cultural and natural attributes, align with the World Heritage's advocacy for the integration of culture and nature, enhancing the value of heritage protection [5] - The industry is encouraged to explore cultural themes and values, leveraging technology to create new products and business models that enhance cultural tourism [6]