From November 4th to 5th, the forum on Theory and Practice of Comprehensively Promoting the High-Quality Construction of National Parks, hosted by the University and the Journal of Tourism Science and undertaken by the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management and the School of Continuing Education, was successfully held in the University. The forum aimed to bring together experts and scholars in the field of national park research in China to share research findings, exchange research experiences, and jointly promote the in-depth study of high-quality development of national parks. More than ten experts and scholars from 25 research institutions and universities, including the Development Research Center of the State Council, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, Nanjing University, and Beijing Forestry University, as well as over 100 faculty and students, participated in the forum. Xiaocheng Lu, a member of the party committee and vice president of the University, delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the University and introduced to the guests the achievements made by the University in recent years in discipline development and talent cultivation. Congwen Song, deputy director of Hubei Forestry Bureau, congratulated the forum on behalf of national park authorities and introduced the development of national parks and nature reserves in Hubei Province.

The morning of the 4th featured a remarkable keynote speech session that brought together esteemed guests and showcased exceptional presentations. Researcher Su Yang, Vice President of Management World Magazine at the Development Research Center of the State Council, Professor Linsheng Zhong from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Resources at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Jinhe Zhang of the School of Geography and Marine Sciences at Nanjing University, Professor Yong Ma, Director of the Ecotourism Research Base at the China Academy of Tourism, Professor Hongmei Zhang, Editor-in-Chief of Tourism Science, Professor Yujun Zhang, Director of the Research Centre for National Parks at Beijing Forestry University, Professor Haixia Zhang, Vice Minister of the Department of Social Sciences at Zhejiang University of Commerce and Industry, and Associate Researcher Siyuan He, delivered presentations on various topics including community development in national parks, national park planning, construction of the national park credit system, ecotourism in national parks, and natural resource asset management in national parks. These discussions focused on the critical issues related to the construction and management of national parks. Scholars shared their unique insights and profound knowledge, creating a splendid academic feast for all participants.

In the parallel forum session on the afternoon of the 4th, the attending teachers and students engaged in academic exchanges on three themes: national park recreation and environmental education, realizing ecological value and franchising in national parks, and community development and institutional innovation. From 27 conference papers, seven excellent papers were selected and awarded during the ceremony.