Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, is striving to promote its tourism brand in foreign markets using social media, according to a news conference on June 26.

The conference, held in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the creation of Hangzhou tourism's international social media pages, invited 10 globally influential public figures who have followed Hangzhou's various social media profiles. The group included photographers, designers, writers and leading public thinkers.

Liam Bates of London, a Hangzhou tourism ambassador, also attended the event.

"While its modern architecture has resulted in a stereotypical urban look, Hangzhou distinguishes itself from other cities with its unique history, customs and cultural relics," US street photographer Jeremy Cohen noted, adding that he found visiting Hangzhou to be a must for cultural innovators and leaders.

"Hangzhou is a city which beautifully combines an historic culture and natural landscape, and the food here is mouthwatering," said an Italian writer.

Since the official launch of Hangzhou tourism's international social media in 2012, Hangzhou Tourism Commission has mounted a series of promotional activities, including Global Tour 2015, Hangzhou Global Qipao Festival and a "modern-day Marco Polo" campaign.

To date, the social media presence has earned Hangzhou more than 600,000 followers, 40 percent from European countries, the United States and Australia.

Hangzhou has recently explored numerous innovative marketing strategies for tapping the potential of the city's tourism and cultural industries in a bid to establish the city as a globally important center for tourism and leisure.

Ten international followers of Hangzhou tourism's social media profiles pose at a news conference in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, June 26. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]