A meeting discussing Hangzhou tourism in 2019 is held on Dec 26. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

The number of tourists visiting Hangzhou in 2019 was estimated to be around 202.76 million, a year-on-year increase of nearly 10 percent, according to statistics released at a meeting of the Hangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau on Dec 26.

Statistics showed that the tourism revenue generated in Hangzhou this year reached 423.6 billion yuan ($60.52 billion), increasing by 18 percent.

Officials said that the past year saw a boom in "countryside tourism." The number of tourists visiting the countryside in Hangzhou was estimated to be 30.66 million, increasing by 35 percent, generating 7.53 billion yuan in revenue.

The goal set at the beginning of the year has been well delivered, said Ruan Ying, deputy director of the Hangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau.

The Liangzhu Archaeological Site was included on the World Cultural Heritage List, the headquarters of the World Tourism Alliance and the World Tourism Museum started construction, added Ruan, citing the achievements Hangzhou had achieved in 2019.

The year also saw the city get two new national 4A-level scenic spots and nine national 3A-level scenic spots.

The actual investment of Hangzhou in its tourism industry over the past year reached 26.1 billion yuan.

A series of activities promoting Hangzhou culture and tourism were held over the past year, including the Hangzhou global qipao festival and the Hangzhou College Students' Tourism Festival.

According to the plans announced at the meeting, the local tourism authority will also organize art troupes to perform in Chile and the United States during Spring Festival as part of its efforts to promote traditional Chinese and Hangzhou culture to go abroad.