EHang Holdings Limited (“EHang” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: EH), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, today announced that it has signed a cooperation framework agreement (“Agreement”) with Zhejiang Sunriver Culture and Tourism Co., Ltd. (“Sunriver”, 600576.SH), a China A-share listed company, to explore an industrial model that integrates the low-altitude economy with cultural tourism in China.

Under the Agreement, Sunriver plans to purchase 50 units of EH216-S or similar pilotless passenger-carrying aircraft from EHang for its cultural tourism projects based on market development needs. Sunriver has already placed a purchase order for 5 units of EH216-S as the first batch for aerial tourism use cases, with the remaining aircraft to be gradually deployed in various tourism attractions under the Sunriver brand.

Low-Altitude Economy and Cultural Tourism Integration

The collaboration between EHang and Sunriver marks a significant step towards the development of China’s burgeoning low-altitude economy and the application of Urban Air Mobility in the tourism sector. The concept of the low-altitude economy involves the use of airspace below 1,000 meters for commercial purposes such as tourism, transportation, and logistics. This strategic partnership aims to leverage this untapped potential to enhance cultural tourism offerings, combining aerial sightseeing with cultural experiences for a unique value proposition.

EHang’s EH216-S, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, is designed for fully autonomous passenger transport, offering an innovative way for tourists to experience popular scenic areas from an aerial perspective. By using pilotless passenger-carrying aircraft, Sunriver and EHang are pioneering the introduction of smart low-altitude tourism, which will not only make travel more efficient but also provide a captivating new perspective on some of China’s most famous landmarks.

Sunriver’s Existing Attractions and Aerial Sightseeing Potential

Sunriver and its parent company, Sunriver Holding Group, are well-known for their extensive portfolio of tourist attractions in China. Currently, they have invested in and operate over 40 renowned sites, including Bailong Elevator and Huanglong Cave in Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, as well as Phoenix Ancient Town and Mang Mountain in Hunan Province, Bifeng Canyon in Ya’an City, Sichuan Province, Qiyun Mountain in Anhui Province, and Danxia Mountain in Guangdong Province.

Each of these attractions offers a distinctive cultural or natural experience, and the addition of aerial sightseeing services is poised to enhance these offerings significantly. For instance, the Bailong Elevator, known as the “Hundred Dragons Elevator”, is the world’s tallest outdoor lift, offering breathtaking views of Zhangjiajie’s towering sandstone pillars. The introduction of aerial sightseeing via eVTOLs can further enrich tourists’ experiences, providing them with stunning aerial views of the unique landscape that inspired scenes in the film “Avatar.”

Similarly, Phoenix Ancient Town, known for its well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture, will be even more striking when viewed from above, offering tourists a bird’s-eye perspective of its historical beauty.

Sunriver’s Commitment to Technological Innovation in Tourism

With a vision to integrate culture, tourism, and technology, Sunriver has established a distinctive cultural tourism industry model that incorporates various elements to offer consumers rich and diversified experiences. In 2024, Sunriver further demonstrated this commitment by founding Sunriver General Aviation Development (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“Sunriver General Aviation”). This subsidiary aims to harness EHang’s advanced autonomous aerial vehicles to offer aerial sightseeing services across its numerous attractions, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive low-altitude tourism model that could be replicated at a national level.

This forward-looking strategy highlights the significant market potential for smart tourism, where modern technologies are deployed to offer personalized and seamless travel experiences. By deploying EHang’s EH216-S at high-profile tourist destinations, Sunriver aims to position itself at the forefront of the low-altitude tourism industry, providing both an enhanced customer experience and operational efficiencies.

Aerial sightseeing aligns perfectly with the emerging trends in the tourism industry, including the increasing demand for more experiential travel and unique, technology-driven activities that provide memorable experiences.

EHang’s Role in Commercializing Low-Altitude Tourism

EHang, with its leading capabilities in research and development, production, and operations, is poised to be a crucial enabler of this initiative. The EH216-S represents a step-change in tourism technology, offering fully autonomous flight capabilities, zero emissions, and quiet operations, which make it an ideal solution for tourism in ecologically sensitive areas. Urban Air Mobility (UAM) solutions like the EH216-S are expected to play a key role in reducing traffic congestion in tourist hotspots while offering a green, low-noise alternative to traditional transport modes.

EHang’s operational experience and first-mover advantages in eVTOL technologies give it a distinct edge in establishing commercially viable aerial tourism models. The collaboration with Sunriver is part of a broader strategy to build a comprehensive “ecosystem” for Urban Air Mobility, integrating regulatory, technical, and market dimensions to facilitate the commercialization of autonomous aerial tourism. The partnership aims to leverage this experience to create efficient operational models that not only drive revenue but also set standards for safety and customer satisfaction.

Vision for the Future: Intelligent, Eco-Friendly Cultural Tourism

The application of eVTOL technology in the cultural tourism industry is a transformative step, not only creating new commercial opportunities but also helping the tourism industry transition to a more sustainable model. EHang and Sunriver aim to develop eco-friendly sightseeing solutions that contribute to the growth of the low-altitude economy without compromising environmental quality. The EH216-S is electric-powered, aligning with broader trends towards sustainable tourism and the electrification of transport, reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional air or land transport.

Moreover, the adoption of autonomous aerial vehicles is a significant step towards the intelligent transformation of the cultural tourism industry. As Heng Wang, Chairman of Sunriver, stated, the mission of the company is to “enrich life through the synergy of culture, tourism, and technology.” By integrating aerial vehicles into their attractions, Sunriver is not only enhancing visitors’ experiences but also setting the stage for a more data-driven, responsive, and interconnected tourism ecosystem.

The EH216-S offers operational efficiencies that can reduce the cost of tourism operations, potentially making these unique experiences more accessible to a broader segment of the population.

Building a Benchmark for Smart Low-Altitude Tourism

At the signing ceremony, Mr. Conor Yang, Chief Financial Officer of EHang, expressed confidence in the potential of this partnership to redefine tourism in China, creating benchmark projects that will become the reference standard for low-altitude, autonomous tourism. This is in line with China’s broader push to embrace innovative technologies to boost its tourism sector, particularly in the context of cultural heritage preservation and the enhancement of tourism infrastructure.

By deploying eVTOL technology across Sunriver’s attractions, the partnership aims to create iconic aerial tourism products, showcasing China’s rich cultural heritage from a new and compelling angle. This initiative is likely to spark a broader wave of interest in integrating low-altitude aerial vehicles into tourism, paving the way for other tourist operators to adopt similar technologies.

Ultimately, the partnership between EHang and Sunriver aims to position China as a global leader in smart low-altitude tourism, combining cutting-edge aviation technology with the country’s rich cultural landscape to offer tourists a truly unique experience. This vision reflects a broader trend towards innovation and sustainability that is reshaping industries globally and places China at the forefront of Urban Air Mobility adoption in tourism.

The strategic partnership between EHang and Sunriver represents an exciting convergence of technology, culture, and tourism, unlocking new opportunities for enhancing visitor experiences at some of China’s most iconic locations. As both companies work together to introduce pilotless, autonomous eVTOLs like the EH216-S into the tourism sector, they are setting the stage for a future where travel is more efficient, environmentally sustainable, and infused with technological innovation. This partnership not only serves as a model for the integration of smart technology into cultural tourism but also highlights the transformative potential of Urban Air Mobility in reshaping how we explore and experience the world.

Source: ehang.com