China‘s Mayors Championing Tourism for Economic Growth163

Beijing, China — China's mayors are spearheading a drive to promote tourism as a key engine for economic growth. At the recently concluded China Tourism Forum held in Beijing, mayors from major cities across the country shared their experiences and strategies for developing and promoting their respective tourism sectors.

The forum, organized by the China Tourism Academy and the China Tourism Newspaper, brought together over 1,000 participants, including government officials, industry experts, and tourism professionals. The event highlighted the growing importance of tourism in China's economy, which is the world's second largest.

In his keynote speech, Zhang Guangrui, the mayor of Hangzhou, highlighted the city's success in leveraging its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty to attract tourists. Hangzhou, known as the "City of Lakes," has seen a surge in tourism in recent years, thanks to its famous West Lake, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its proximity to other popular tourist destinations in eastern China.

"Tourism has become a pillar industry for Hangzhou," said Mayor Zhang. "In 2022, the city received over 120 million domestic tourists and generated tourism revenue of over 220 billion yuan ($33 billion)." Hangzhou's success has inspired other cities in China to develop their own unique tourism offerings.

According to the China Tourism Academy, tourism contributed 11.04% to China's GDP in 2022, up from 9.2% in 2019. The industry is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by rising disposable incomes and increased leisure time among Chinese consumers.

To capitalize on this growth, Chinese cities are investing heavily in tourism infrastructure and services. They are developing new attractions, upgrading transportation networks, and improving the quality of tourism services to enhance the visitor experience.

"We are working to create a world-class tourism destination in Xi'an," said Li Mingyuan, the mayor of Xi'an, home to the renowned Terracotta Warriors. "We are investing in upgrading our airport and railway stations, and we are developing new cultural and historical attractions to attract more domestic and international tourists to our city."

In addition to traditional cultural and historical tourism, Chinese cities are also developing new and innovative tourism products. For example, the city of Chengdu is promoting itself as a "creative tourism destination." Chengdu is home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, and it is known for its cuisine and its giant panda breeding and research base.

"We believe that creative tourism has great potential for growth," said Wang Zijun, the mayor of Chengdu. "We are working to develop new creative tourism products and experiences that will appeal to both domestic and international visitors."

The efforts of Chinese mayors to promote tourism are bearing fruit. In recent years, China has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. In 2019, China received over 145 million international tourists, making it the fourth most visited country in the world.

As China continues to develop and grow, tourism is expected to play an increasingly important role in its economy. Chinese cities are well-positioned to benefit from this growth, thanks to their rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and modern infrastructure.

2025-01-20

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