Shenyang study spotlights integration of rowing with cultural tourism

The 2024 China (Shenyang) Rowing Development Index was unveiled recently in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, in which the rowing-city integration was analysed.

The index, jointly compiled by China Economic Information Service (CEIS) and Shenyang Municipal People's Government, concentrates on studying Shenyang's rowing development.

It analyses the development path and industry characteristics of rowing in Shenyang from the three dimensions including event charm, industrial development, and sports-city integration. It also advances specialised research with the growth of international rowing sports as benchmark.

The index for this year is the third edition of the China (Shenyang) Rowing Development Index, following the two versions released in 2022 and 2023. The launch of the 2024 index marks a step forward of Shenyang towards building itself into a recognised city with strong sports competitiveness.

The 2024 index shows that Shenyang's rowing events have gained increasing industrial and international influence, with the two core indicators measuring the number of racing teams and athletes taking the lead domestically. Since its inception in 2018, the Shenyang International Open Regatta has become one of the most influential characteristic events featuring the integration of cultural, sports, and tourism and with the largest number of participants in China.

As a rowing training and competition base, the Hunhe River flowing through southern Shenyang has witnessed flourishing sports training, leisure culture, catering services, characteristic experiences, cultural tourism and other business formats. The index tells that 390 rowing-themed cultural events was held in Shenyang in 2023, driving the revenue of rowing-related tourist attractions to exceed about $US1.4 million.

Shenyang has been stepping up efforts to promote rowing on campus. The number of rowing training activities on campus in Shenyang increased 20% year on year in 2023. At present, 41 primary and secondary schools in the city have offered rowing courses.

Image top. Shenyang International Open Regatta 2022 credit: Xinhua Silk Road Service; Image above: The 2024 China (Shenyang) Rowing Development Index was released in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province on 29th August 2024.