The first Shandong International Boutique Tourism Industry Expo came to an end on Aug 31 in Jinan, capital city of East China's Shandong province, with the amount of business transactions reaching 270 million yuan ($37.68 million).

More than 1,200 cooperation agreements were signed during the three-day event, which was organized by the Shandong provincial department of culture and tourism.

The expo gathered more than 160 tourism organizations from 43 countries and regions, as well as 420 cultural and tourism enterprises. Its exhibition area covered more than 20,000 square meters.

It also invited 37 cultural and tourism departments from across the country to attend the expo.

During the expo, 12 forums and over 80 promotion activities were organized, and more than 1 million brochures were handed out by exhibitors.

It attracted more than 67,000 visitors and businessmen from neighboring cities and provinces like Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Henan, Hebei, and Jiangsu.

In addition, the expo was viewed by over 800,000 people on eight live streaming platforms.

Overseas tourism agencies from 43 countries and regions including Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas launched theme tours and customized tours to attract more tourists from China.

Tourism agencies in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Egypt, India, and other countries promoted nearly 100 kinds of high-quality tourist routes and products at the expo.

An official from the Beijing office of the Iceland Tourism Bureau said that tourism has become the most important driving force of Iceland's economic growth, and that the number of Chinese tourists coming to northern Europe has been increasing year by year.

He added that Iceland is improving its reception capacity and Shandong tourists are welcomed to feel the charm of the Nordic country.

Malaysia, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Japan, and other countries promoted more convenient and profitable travel options for tourists at the expo.

Specialties and distinctive souvenirs from across the world were also highlighted at the expo, attracting hordes of visitors.

Visitors are attracted by the handicrafts displayed at the first Shandong International Boutique Tourism Industry Expo. [Photo/iqilu.com]

Various decorative plates are displayed at the first Shandong International Boutique Tourism Industry Expo. [Photo/iqilu.com]

Specialties and distinctive souvenirs from different regions are displayed at the first Shandong International Boutique Tourism Industry Expo. [Photo/iqilu.com]