Core Points - The 7th Grand Canal Cultural Tourism Expo was successfully held in Suzhou from August 15 to 17, showcasing the cultural and tourism resources along the Grand Canal, which spans over 3,200 kilometers and has a history of over 2,500 years [1][2] - The expo attracted 912 participating units, a nearly 40% increase from the previous year, with 76 cities from 12 provinces and 35 countries and regions represented [1][3] - The event featured five major themed exhibitions, including the Grand Canal City Cultural Tourism Boutique Exhibition and the Grand Canal Food Culture Exhibition, drawing nearly 160,000 attendees, a 23% increase from last year, and over 520 million online viewers [1][4] Industry Development - The expo serves as a platform for high-quality development in Jiangsu's cultural tourism sector, promoting new paths for the protection and utilization of Grand Canal culture [2] - It emphasizes the integration of culture and tourism with various industries, showcasing innovative products and activities that highlight the synergy between cultural tourism and other sectors [5][7] - The event included a significant focus on international collaboration, with 130 institutions and enterprises from 35 countries participating, marking a global outreach [4][14] Consumer Engagement - The expo introduced numerous interactive experiences and innovative products, enhancing consumer engagement and showcasing the fusion of traditional culture with modern trends [9][12] - A total of 1,213 performances and 1,133 interactive projects were organized, with actual sales reaching nearly 300 million yuan during the event [13][15] - The event's design and activities were particularly appealing to younger audiences, with over 60% of attendees being under 35 years old [11][18] Digital Integration - The expo effectively combined online and offline experiences, achieving over 3.6 billion visits to the online platform and facilitating significant transaction intentions [16][17] - A dedicated "Non-Heritage Cloud Broadcasting Room" was established to promote traditional crafts and engage a wider audience through live streaming [16] - The event's marketing strategies included extensive media coverage and social media engagement, resulting in over 28.87 million clicks on related topics [18][19]