Winter boom: China’s tourism market catches sight of new momentum
Beijing, China - The arrival of winter has triggered a boom in ice and snow tourism across China, especially in northern regions known for their cold winters.
People’s Daily Online quoted data from Tujia, a Beijing-based online booking platform, as saying that over 90 per cent of BB rooms in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province were booked over the recent New Year holiday. Reservations in surrounding areas like Daxing’anling, Daqing, and Jiamusi also surged 5-10 times compared to last year.
The China Tourism Academy predicts participation in ice and snow leisure travel will increase 25-30 per cent this winter season. Over 400mn domestic tourists are expected to engage in winter activities, generating 550bn yuan (Us$77.25bn) in revenue.
Data shows China’s tourism industry rebounding strongly from the pandemic. Over the first three quarters of 2023, domestic destinations recorded 3.67bn visits, up 75.5 per cent year-overyear. Total domestic tourism spending reached 3.69tn yuan, a 114.4 per cent annual increase.
“Thriving tourism reflects the vitality and potential of China’s consumer market,” said Zhang Jinshan, Director of the Tourism Industry Economic Research Institute at Beijing Union University.
The boom can be attributed to tourism operators creating innovative new products and experiences catered to evolving consumer demand. Digital technologies are also helping to promote new destinations and hidden gems across China.
Meanwhile, China’s National
Immigration Administration (NIA) announced that in 2023, the country received a total of 210mn inbound visits, accounting for approximately 62.9 per cent of the total recorded in 2019 prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China daily reported.
Chi Jingyang, NIA’S Border Control Management Director, announced the statistics at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office.
He said he anticipated continued growth in the number of inbound travellers in 2024, which will coincide with further global economic and trade development, the resumption of international flights and the gradual increase in cross-border personnel movement.
The China Tourism Academy predicts participation in ice and snow leisure travel will increase 25-30 per cent this winter season. Over 400mn domestic tourists are expected to engage in winter activities, generating 550bn yuan (Us$77.25bn) in revenue