Chapter 621: Sudden Change: My Plan Was Disrupted

On the morning of September 15, the group’s senior management held a meeting to listen to the opinions of the inspection team.

Mr. Chen, Mr. Cao, Mr. Xiao and others attended the meeting. A delegation of six people participated, and Chen Xiaoxia from the Public Relations Department was in attendance.

Qing Ruo made a report on behalf of the delegation, followed by additional remarks from delegation members.

Manager Wei said, "I really admire Mr. Wan for proposing 'interactive' tourism a few years ago. I used to be against it, but this trip to Thailand has really inspired me."

Not only were there activities like diving and parachuting, but every step of the tour with the tour guide was interactive and full of curiosity and fun.”

Mr. Cao said, “I want to say a few words.”

Mr. Cao is in charge of tourism, so he certainly carries a lot of weight. But it seems a bit strange that he spoke out before the rest of the delegation had even spoken.

As expected, he said, "I am against interactive tourism. The reasons are as follows: First, we are just a small island, while they are a vast ocean. We can interact from one island to another.

Surfing, landing and diving in the sea are all interactive, but we are a lake and the area is not large.

The second is the tour guide segment. You are enjoying special VIP treatment, so the tour guide takes the trouble to create surprises for you.

In general tour groups, tour guides don’t have so much time to interact with tourists. It’s good enough if they take you around and don’t force you to shop.

Judging from the current domestic situation, so-called tour guide interaction, while beautiful in appearance, is actually quite useless. The main reason is the unwillingness of tour guides.

Third is…”

He talked incessantly for half an hour.

The members of the inspection team looked at each other, especially Qing Ruo, whose face turned pale with anger.

Mr. Chen came out to smooth things over: "Mr. Cao, the reason I didn't invite you last time was because you went to attend the National Tourism Seminar."

Mr. Cao said, "Mr. Chen, I'm not holding a personal grudge. I'm not against it just because I didn't go. It's because of the national conditions. For many people, traveling isn't really about tourism.

It just means he's traveling somewhere, taking a few photos, and doesn't care about the content of the trip."

Mr. Chen looked at Lao Xiao.

Lao Xiao said, "Mr. Cao has his own opinion, which is not without reason. Qingruo, please share your opinion. One is in charge of tourism, and the other is the person in charge. The truth becomes clearer the more we debate."

Qing Ruo said, "My opinions, including those of our inspection team, are all written in the report. If you ask me to say it again, it's still the same opinions."

Mr. Chen said, "Mr. Wan, you are the cultural consultant. Tell me about your ideas."

Mr. Cao has a PhD and is well-versed in tourism theory, so he's definitely better than me. He's always been skeptical of me as his cultural consultant.

I should say that he sometimes said a few words from the heart, expressing his admiration for me. However, deep down, he looked down on me, a high school student.

Everyone's eyes turned to me.

I took a sip of tea, cleared my throat, and said:

I support Mr. Cao's remarks. I agree with them. They make sense. But we need to analyze each case individually. Is it always right to stick to the old ways?

Everyone creates man-made attractions and makes up legends without any origins, they are all the same. Don't blame tourists for not being interested.

In this monotony, if we want to break through and innovate, we must be different from others.

Why did I name it "Daughter Island"? To make it an island solely for women? This is the breakthrough.

The reason why we want to interact is to break through.

As for tourists taking photos just to prove they've been there, this is a habit of middle-aged and older tourists. Young people are different. Why is "Script Killing" so popular among young people?

It means wearing different clothes, playing different roles, and everyone works together to figure out the plot. This is interaction.

In 2019, there were 12,000 script-killing shops across China. As long as the policy is relaxed, there will be more and more such shops.

We're creating interactive experiences, carving out a new path in this otherwise monotonous landscape. It's groundbreaking work. If, according to Mr. Cao, we can only copy others' ideas, I foresee a year of excitement followed by two years of closure."

Here I stopped abruptly.

Mr. Cao stood up and said, "You won't be able to do it in half a year."

The situation was at a stalemate.

Mr. Chen said, "Please sit down first. Meetings are for studying and solving problems, not for arguing. Why are you standing up?"

Mr. Cao said, "I'm in charge of tourism. When have you ever respected my opinion?"

Mr. Chen’s face turned pale.

Mr. Xiao said, "Sit down."

Mr. Chen said, "Let's end the meeting here. You should think about it calmly. Once you've figured it out, we can discuss it together."

Mr. Cao was the first to leave the meeting room.

The others didn't know whether to leave or not.

Mr. Chen waved his hand and said, "Mr. Xiao, Mr. Wan stays, you guys go."

Everyone left the meeting room dejectedly. But Manager Wei stayed. He said, "Mr. Chen, can I stay and have a few words?"

Mr. Chen glanced at him and acquiesced.

Lao Xiao said: "Mr. Cao's attitude is very clear. He doesn't want to do this anymore."

Manager Wei said, "If he doesn't want to do it anymore, then no one will do it?"

Mr. Chen said, "I haven't thought it through. Actually, we can let Shanhong go and do her own thing first. When Mr. Cao comes back, he can lead the team to conduct the inspection."

Manager Wei said, "Let him lead the team. The result of the inspection is exactly what he said just now. He has rejected them so badly that there is no reference value at all."

Lao Xiao said: "Shan Hong's ideas are still very trendy and avant-garde. He knows about script-killing, but I don't know what it is.

We can boldly try new things. A cookie-cutter approach is a dead end.”

Mr. Chen said, "Shanhong, tell me."

I nodded and said:

"Bainiao Lake doesn't have any unique mountains or waters. Even Zhangjiajie, which does have unique mountains and waters, is innovating with things like glass bridges.

Bainiao Lake has no historical or cultural heritage, but even Xi'an, a city famous for its historical and cultural heritage, is also making tumblers.

Bainiao Lake does not have any ethnic customs, but even in areas with ethnic customs, they still have the "blocking door mat" service.

So, what's wrong with us engaging in interaction, emotional interaction, and personalized customization? "

Mr. Chen nodded.

Manager Wei said, "I'm a forty-year-old who wants to experience it. Especially since Shanhong talked to me about who would be the most suitable wife for me, I'm interested. I'll go and experience it. Even if it's unreal, it's better than dreaming."

Even Mr. Chen laughed. Then he said, "What Mr. Cao said about tourist habits is also a real problem."

I shook my head and said, "Tourists' habits are also cultivated. For example, in my hometown, when someone married their daughter, they had to give gifts and cash before the wedding, otherwise it was a taboo. Now they give gifts on the wedding day, and there's no problem.

Why? Because life was hard in the past. A woman's family didn't have much money or valuables for a dowry, so she had to rely on relatives and friends. Someone might give a pair of pillows, someone a thermos, and together they'd make it look presentable.

That's no longer necessary. You just count the money. Times change, and so do attitudes and habits. We want to be a leader and change tourists' mindsets."

While they were discussing, the head of the Human Resources Department came up, handed over a report, and whispered a few words to Mr. Chen.

Mr. Chen nodded, waved his hand, and let the minister go.

Then he said, "Mr. Cao has written a resignation letter."

There was a moment of silence.

After a while, Lao Xiao said, "This time, he has made up his mind. I suggest that Shanhong be in charge of this area."

My heart skipped a beat.

Mr. Chen looked at me eagerly.

Manager Wei touched my arm.

I said, “I have a request.”

Mr. Chen said, "You say it."

"I can take charge, but only until the day Bainiao Lake opens. During this time, whether you promote or recruit someone, you need to prepare a backup cadre to take over."

Mr. Chen said, "Okay. Add more personnel and transfer Ning Jing to the Bainiao Lake Scenic Area. You, Qing Ruo, and Ning Jing should quickly implement the arrangements and make the necessary transfers and additions."

After the meeting, I winked at Ning Jing, and she followed me into 1701.

I said, "You take charge of the matter with Mr. Xiao. The day after tomorrow, you, Qingruo, and I will meet at Daughter Island."