The first World Senior Tourism Congress is held in Yantai, east China's Shandong province on May 24.

The event was initiated by the China Association of Universities for the Aged, the World Association of Universities for the Aged, the Yantai municipal government, and the Shandong Provincial Tourism Development Committee in 2017 to promote international tourism resources and cultural exchange across the world.

The event gathers more than 800 international guests, including experts from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), heads of university for the aged from 25 countries, cooking experts, and media agencies.

"The elderly ought to have more opportunities to go out. The conference can help them get to know various cultures across China and enrich their spiritual lives to some extent," said Zhang Xiaolin, the director of the China Association of Universities for the Aged, expressing the important role it plays.

With the increasing population of the elderly, the senior industry is attracting more attention. The event will provide solid support for its further development.

The conference will run to May 31 with themed seminars on senior tourism, and exchange meetings between universities for the aged and travel agencies.

Participants will also have the chance to experience tourism products in Shandong province and learn more about its traditional culture.