Dancers from Malaysia pose for a group photo during CITIE. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

The China (Guangdong) International Tourism Industry Expo (CITIE) opened in Guangzhou from Aug 30 to Sept 1, showcasing the new development trend of cultural tourism.

As an international tourism trade platform, this year's CITIE attracted exhibitors from more than 50 countries and regions, delegations from over 20 provinces, as well as more than 20,000 professional buyers and over 500,000 visitors.

During the expo, a total of 462 cultural tourism investment and trade cooperation projects were launched spanning various forms, such as cultural tourism, rural tourism, and complex construction. Among these projects, 23 of them were worth over 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) each and 122 were worth more than 1 billion yuan each.

Malaysia, as the guest of honor of this year's expo, brought a delegation of 29 companies to the event to further promote Malaysian tourism. Demonstrations such as a dance performance by a troupe from Malacca and the making of "teh tarik" (tossed tea) were also staged.