The Xi'an Silk Road International Tourism Expo 2017 (CXSRITE) opens in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province on Aug 4. [Photo by Lu Hongyan/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Xi'an Silk Road International Tourism Expo 2017 (CXSRITE) opened at the Qujiang International Conference and Exhibition Center on Aug 4.

The three-day expo aims to construct a platform for people from the tourism industry and the public to cooperate and communicate. Occupying a total area of 40,000 square meters, the expo attracted over 500 travel tourism exhibitors, buyer representatives and enterprises from 32 countries and regions to join the exhibition.

During the expo, the 2017 China Hot Spring Innovation Forum and the High-end Forum of China's Camping Industry were also held, providing a platform for business insiders to communicate and seek cooperation opportunities. New exhibition halls for recreational vehicles (RV) and hot springs tourism were also added for this year's event.

According to Wei Zengjun, vice-governor of Shaanxi province, with support from countries along the Silk Road, CXSRITE has been held successfully for four years. With an expanding scale, the expo has become an important platform in promoting the tourism industry.

Kingdom of Cambodia wasthis year's guest of honor at CXSRITE2017. "Cambodia forever supports the issuance of the Belt and Road initiative," said Thong Khon, minister of tourism of Kingdom of Cambodia, in his speech at the opening ceremony.

Li Jinzao, director of the China National Tourism Administration, and Shaanxi Governor Hu Heping also attended the opening ceremony.