The 2017 International Islands Tourism Conference with the theme of "New Silk Road, New Opportunity, New Journey" commences in Zhoushan, an island city in Zhejiang on Sept 22. [Photo/IITCZS]

The 2017 International Islands Tourism Conference (IITCZS) commenced in Zhoushan, one of China's two island-based cities, East China's Zhejiang province on the morning of Sept 22.

With the goal of seeking new opportunities for island tourist destinations, 55 delegations from 45 countries, regions and international organizations attended the meeting, as well as more than 1,300 guests from tourist cities, travel agencies, investment organizations and research institutes.

In 2016, Zhoushan received approximately 46,100,000 tourists and realized tourism revenue of 66.1 billion yuan ($10.06 billion), a year-on-year increase of 19.82 percent. Last year, the output value of tourist industry accounted for 8.06 percent of the city's GDP. Now, the island city is strongly developing a system covering a variety of tourist products like cruise lines, yachts and sea fishing.

The event features 12 main activities for participants to brainstorm ways of exploring the development of island tourism such as a Zhoushan forum under China's Belt and Road Initiative, a sharing session on island tourism and big data, and promoting meetings of island destinations. Representatives from government bodies, tourism industry, capital institutions and academic world will have in-depth discussions in the afternoon.

Delegates from 45 countries, regions and international organizations take part in the 2017 IITCZS in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. [Photo/IITCZS]