Seven new policies on the local tourism industry were recently launched in Jilin province to bolster its "ice and snow" economy, according to the Tourist Development Committee of Jilin province at a promotion conference in Beijing on Oct 12.

A tourism promotion conference is held to introduce Jilin's ice and snow industry to tourists in Beijing on Oct 12. [Photo prrovided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The policies on land utilization, for instance, were adjusted so as to attract investments to local tourism. Land areas in rural villages will be used partly for building permanent structures, and partly for natural reserves. This allows the investors to take out a lease on the state-owned land and later acquire the land tenure. Certain formalities are no longer required for project constructions as long as agreements have been made with the former user, except for permanent structures.

Seven new policies on Jilin’s tourism industry were recently launched at a tourism promotion conference in Beijing on Oct 12. [Photo prrovided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Bonuses of up to 500,000 yuan ($72,300) will be awarded to travel agencies who have made contributions to Jilin's tourism. Tourist groups will also be offered discount airfares for their flights to Jilin.

Tourists will also benefit from a series of favorable policies on the entrance tickets for several tourist spots, including the Changbai Mountain Scenic Area. Visitors from home and abroad will be able to take a free tour to this wonderland of ice and snow from Nov 1 to Apr 30.

Cities in Jilin province offer discounts on the entrance tickets of various tourist spots at the tourism promotion conference in Beijing on Oct 12. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]