Rising Tourism Revenue

Revenue generated from the tourism industry topped RMB2.24 trillion in 2011, an increase of 42.68% from 2010 (RMB1.57 trillion) due to rising visitor expenditure. The industry saw a strong revenue growth from 2001 to 2011 at a CAGR of 16.21%.

Grade A Scenic Areas

Total arrivals in the National Grade A scenic areas reached 2.55 billion person-time in 2011. Income from operations and ticket sales were RMB265.86 billion and RMB114.99 billion respectively.

Supportive Policies to Develop Tourism in Midwest Regions

The Ministry of Culture has announcedguidelines to develop cultural-centric tourism, handicrafts, exhibition, arts and performances in the Midwest regions. Trainings and developments programs were provided to the chiefs of tourism administration offices at all levels.

This is only a small extract of the insights in the China Tourism Industry report; read more and purchase>>

Chinese tourists visit the Expo 2012 Yeosu, South Korea, in May. Provided to China Daily

The stereotypical image of Chinese tourists abroad is of large tour groups following a guide with a red flag through sightseeing spots and shopping malls.

But all that could be about to change, as the country’s leading travel agencies attempt to replace traditional tour packages with high-end experiences.

On Monday, China Travel Service, a big player in the travel industry, announced it will cooperate with vacation resorts in South Korea to provide packages that appeal to well-off families, eco-golfers and winter sports enthusiasts.

“Getting in and out of a tour bus at tourist spots and being in a rush is no longer working with outbound tourists,” said Zhang Ping, president of CTS. “We have to move upstream in quality and create tourism products tailored to the demands of individuals and that give people more freedom for unique experiences.”

The company says its cooperation with South Korea’s GB Networks, an agency that provides travel services to 14 resorts, will give Chinese tourists access to large-scale ski resorts, golf courses, water parks, hotels and convention centers.

Jin Chengxiu, director of the CTS’ branch in Seoul, said it was the first time a Chinese travel agency has attempted to tap into the South Korean resort market, which currently attracts a large number of Korean and international tourists, but few Chinese.

“Most resorts are in northern Gangwon Province, which has a smooth, sandy coastline and is known as the epicenter of winter sports in Korea,” he said. “Chinese tourists, especially those traveling with their families or for business conventions, can spend several days and nights in one place relaxing.”

The province is also the site of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games, and authorities expect to draw 10,000 tourists from China each year in the lead-up to the event.

According to Zhang, Chinese tour agencies are making bold attempts to offer a variety of high-end tourism packages to cater for a booming market demand.

“Some remote but captivating destinations that were believed to be too expensive for Chinese tourists are becoming more popular,” said Zhang, adding that the agency has organized trips to Seychelles in the Indian Ocean with chartered flights this year. “Because the number of Chinese outbound tourists is increasing, the prices of hotels and airline tickets are getting lower, which can cut the price for outbound travel.

“Amid the economic downturn, people are more likely to spend money on tourism to relieve stress. The industry is now also promoted by the Chinese government as a way to stimulate consumption.”

According to the National Tourism Administration, 38 million Chinese tourists traveled overseas in the first half of this year, up 18 percent from the same period last year.

After Japan, China is South Korea’s second largest source of inbound tourists. A new visa policy will come into effect next month, loosening restrictions on Chinese tourists in a bid to promote tourism.

tanzongyang@chinadaily.com.cn

Shao Qiwei, director of the CNTA, said the 2012 Sino-Russia Tourism Year launched on Thursday represents the friendly strategic partnership between the two countries, and the partnership will be further enhanced by improving bilateral tourism cooperation.

China has decided to develop tourism into a strategic pillar of its national economy as well as a more satisfying modern service industry, Shao said.

From January to November 2011, 52.74 million tourists spending at least one night in China entered the country, marking year-on-year growth of 3.2 percent. Meanwhile, 63.85 million tourist trips were made by Chinese going abroad, showing a 22.4-percent year-on-year rise.

Chinese people are expected to have made 2.64 billion domestic trips in 2011, 13 percent more than the previous year, and income generated by tourism will show a 20-percent increase over 2010, Shao said.

The 2012 Sino-Russia Tourism Year promotes happy and healthy tourism to meet ever-increasing public demand, according to the CNTA.

(Source: http://bit.ly/wC5t6R)