Tourism has become a key industry driving China’s high-quality development, experiencing rapid growth since the country’s reform and opening up in 1978, particularly in recent years.
China has solidified its position as the world’s largest domestic tourism market and a top destination for international travelers. The tourism sector has significantly contributed to the improvement of living standards for Chinese citizens, who now see it as a way to enhance their quality of life.
From 2012 to 2021, domestic tourism revenue saw an average annual growth rate of 10.6 percent, with the number of domestic tourist trips doubling between 2012 and 2019. In 2023, China recorded a substantial increase in domestic travel trips and expenditure compared to the previous year.
According to statista, the world’s second largest economy recorded approximately 1.42 billion domestic tourist trips in the first quarter of 2024, the highest since the third quarter of 2019.
The nation’s cultural and tourism consumption, including the popularity of traditional attire and heritage items, highlights the vitality and potential of China’s economic growth. Infrastructure improvements, rising incomes, and innovative tourism products have further fueled the tourism market’s expansion.
The integration of technologies like augmented reality and artificial intelligence has introduced new immersive experiences in smart tourism. The range of tourist attractions has also expanded to include rural areas, theme parks, and other unconventional sites.
China’s efforts to enhance high-quality tourism development are expected to play a crucial role in boosting domestic demand, with every yuan earned in the tourism industry generating 4.3 yuan in related sectors. The country’s commitment to openness has not only attracted millions of inbound tourists but also encouraged cultural and educational exchanges between civilizations.
Apart from recovering tourism in the country, the government is also contemplating a proposal for local governments to acquire millions of unsold homes from struggling companies, reduce interest rates on mortgage loans, and revise down-payment requirements for homebuyers, as it aims to alleviate the prolonged property crisis in the country.
