More parents opt for trips with military theme

Beijing: Following the high-profile People’s Liberation Army’s 90th anniversary celebrations last month, military-themed trips have gained popularity among children and parents, according to an travel industry insider.

Zhou Xiongfei, scenic spot affairs director at online travel agency Lvmama, said bookings of military-related scenic spots and trips on Lvmama in July increased at least 30% over the same month last year.

“Sites where some famous battles took place or sites showcasing modernised military equipment are particularly popular with young tourists or parents who take children on trips,” he said.

Among the hottest destinations are the Binhai Aircraft Carrier Theme Park in Tianjin, the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan province and the Qingdao Navy Museum in Shandong province.

“Many parents see such trips as a good opportunity for their children to learn more about the military. Full of mystery and high tech, the subject attracts large numbers of boys and girls,” Zhou said.

China is rich in military-themed destinations, he added, though such trips account for only a small proportion of China’s tourism industry.

“There’s a lot of potential to be exploited,” Zhou said.

For example, military-themed trips could go beyond visiting museums and war sites, and expand to diverse activities such as role-playing the shooter video game Counter-Strike and outdoor training, he said. — China Daily/Asia News Network