According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), China will become the world’s flagship tourism destination as the largest host country worldwide and the fourth largest to send tourists abroad by 2020.
This paper focuses on the growing marketplace for the Chinese tourism industry and evaluates the current industry trends, evolving market and growth prospects of the tourism industry, focusing on inbound tourists, i.e. international visitors from abroad.
Including current figures about the tourism sector of this global player, a collection of further reading and important surveys about the tourist market and its challenges nowadays, this paper provides an in-depth insight into the future of this industry.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Tourism in 21st century China
2.1. Industrial Policies by the Government
2.2. The Development of Tourist Sectors
3. Tourist Offers
3.1. Regions and Attractions
3.2. Travelling China: Diverse Offerings
4. Recent and Future Challenges
4.1. International Tourism in 2009
4.2. Future Outlook: Challenges and Opportunities
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the rapid development and evolving marketplace of China's tourism industry, evaluating key government policies, growth trends, and the impact of recent global economic and health challenges on both inbound and domestic tourism sectors.
- Strategic government policies and industrial development measures.
- Development and infrastructure of core tourist sectors.
- Analysis of China's transformation into a globally recognized destination.
- Evaluation of recent growth rates and the impact of the 2009 economic downturn.
- Strategic shift towards domestic tourism for sustained economic growth.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. Industrial Policies by the Government
The publication of the book “Deng Xiaoping on Tourism” by the Chinese government in 2000 can be seen as a prelude to China’s self-declared goal of becoming one of the top tourist countries in the world. The book contains five statements that Deng made on developing China's tourism industry back in the 70s.
Strategic measures and policies by the government, i.e. the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, include the reduction of market monopoly and state domination. Entry barriers into the tourism market have been lowered and a lot of effort has been made to improve technical and infrastructural standards (e.g. highways, promenades, water and power supply systems as well as sewage and garbage treatment plants) in order to meet international levels.
These encouraging governmental policies have proven to be a positive incentive for the rapid growth of the tourism industry and have achieved fruitful results quickly. Table 1 shows the constant increase in tourist visitor numbers and revenues from 1999 to 2009. The majority of inbound tourists are still residents from Hong Kong and Macau, obviously due to their geographic proximity to the mainland.
Despite not so optimistic predictions, in 2004 the China National Tourism Administration aimed at an annual growth of 4 - 8% of the number of incoming tourists, foreign exchange earnings from tourism as well as for the domestic market size. After a decrease of inbound tourists and tourist revenues in 2003 due to SARS, the industry recovered quickly, hence exceeding the government’s goals by far: In 2006 revenues of China's tourism industry almost doubled, compared to 2003, with a total of 33,5 billion US dollars.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on China's emerging role as a global tourism powerhouse and its economic significance.
2. Tourism in 21st century China: Discusses the strategic prioritization of tourism by the Chinese government and the industrial policies driving rapid infrastructure development.
3. Tourist Offers: Details the modernization of tourist sites, the development of diverse regions, and the wide range of specialized travel packages available to modern tourists.
4. Recent and Future Challenges: Analyzes the impact of the global financial crisis and pandemic on tourist arrivals while assessing future prospects and risks.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes tourism's transition into a key growth factor for the Chinese economy, highlighting the shift toward domestic market sustainability.
Keywords
China Tourism, Tourism Policy, Economic Development, Inbound Tourism, Domestic Tourism, Infrastructure, Tourist Attractions, Travel Agencies, Market Growth, Global Tourism, Sustainability, Investment, Government Policy, Tourism Statistics, Tourism Trends
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper evaluates the transformation of the Chinese tourism industry into a strategic economic pillar, focusing on growth trends, government incentives, and future outlooks.
Which thematic areas are covered in the analysis?
The study covers industrial policies, the development of tourism infrastructure, diverse regional travel offerings, and the impact of global crises on tourism performance.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The objective is to analyze how China has leveraged government-led reforms to become a top international tourist destination and how it manages the transition to sustainable growth.
Which scientific methodology does the author apply?
The work utilizes a descriptive analysis of governmental reports, industry data from organizations like the UNWTO, and historical tourism statistics to forecast development.
What topics are addressed in the main body?
The main body examines historical policy foundations, sectoral development, the expansion of regional tourist spots, and the challenges posed by external economic factors.
Which keywords best characterize the publication?
Key terms include China Tourism, Economic Development, Inbound Tourism, Infrastructure, and Government Policy.
How did SARS and the global financial crisis affect China's tourism?
The study shows that while these events caused temporary declines, the industry demonstrated resilience and recovered quickly, often through a pivot toward domestic travel.
Why is the domestic tourism market considered so significant in this paper?
Domestic tourism is highlighted as a buffer against international volatility, supported by the increasing purchasing power of Chinese citizens and new government-mandated holiday schedules.
What role does the "China Tibet Train" play in the industry?
It serves as an example of the diversifying travel offerings designed to attract tourists to more remote or previously unknown regions of the country.
What is the forecast regarding the future of the Hainan region?
The paper notes that planned development projects and heavy investment in luxury infrastructure are transforming the island into a major international resort destination by 2020.
- Quote paper
- Magister Artium Melanie Bobik (Author), 2010, China's Tourism Industry: A Future Outlook, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/149182
