News 1+1 Why did the inbound tourism of foreigners increase sharply in the first half of the year?

The visa free "circle of friends" continued to expand, and the number of inbound foreigners continued to increase. According to the statistics of the National Migration Administration, 14.635 million foreigners entered the country in the first half of the year, up 152.7% year on year. Among them, 8.542 million people entered through visa free entry, accounting for 52%, a year-on-year increase of 190.1%. Why did this change occur? How do foreign tourists feel about their travel experience in China? Why do we need to develop inbound tourism with high quality?

When "China Travel" became an international buzzword, how do you view the surge of inbound foreigners in the first half of the year? In the first half of the year, the number of inbound foreigners increased significantly, with 14.635 million inbound foreigners at all ports nationwide, up 152.7% year on year. Among them, 8.542 million people entered through visa free entry, accounting for 52%, a year-on-year increase of 190.1%. How do you view such data? How do you view the popularity of "China Travel" on short video platforms both domestically and internationally?

Dai Bin, President of China Tourism Research Institute: Based on the data from the first half of this year, it can be said that the recovery momentum is very good. This depends on many factors, including many foreign bloggers traveling in China and using short videos to present a modern and authentic image of China to the world. Some foreigners still have cognitive stereotypes about China, and even feel that we are still in an agricultural society, just like China thousands of years ago. In fact, today's China, no matter the level of economic and social development or people's life, has exceeded many foreigners' perception of China, so seeing is better than hearing a hundred things. After foreign tourists come, they have changed their impression of China, which is also very beneficial for telling Chinese stories to foreigners locally and at home. So the data changes in the first half of the year can be said to be very exciting.

What are the remaining constraints that need to be overcome in the effort to restore to the level of 2019?

According to the "Report on the Development of Inbound Tourism" released by the China Tourism Research Institute, in the first quarter of this year, the number of inbound tourists received in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, four first tier cities, has exceeded each quarter of 2023, respectively recovering to 67.2%, 64.0%, 53.2%, and 83.0% of the same period in 2019. What other factors are constraining us to reach the level of 2019, and how can we better overcome them?

Dai Bin, President of China Tourism Research Institute: First of all, the number of foreigners entering China is still the first in Guangdong Province, followed by Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, and some provinces and cities like Hebei. But at the same time, it should be noted that there are still some difficulties or challenges that need to be overcome. From an international perspective, such as exchange rate fluctuations, the value of the Chinese yuan makes it very convenient for us to go out, and we can enjoy better services with the same amount of money. But on the contrary, when foreigners come to China, the same money may be less valuable and less pleasant to spend, so this is a problem. We should pay close attention to the changes in the international economy. If foreigners feel that there is less money in their pockets, it may affect their entry.

The "crowding out" effect of domestic tourism: In recent years, the supply chain of the tourism market has gradually recovered, and domestic tourism has played a very important supporting role in scenic spots, resorts, hotels, homestays, travel merchants, and so on. On the other hand, whether there is so much space left for foreigners deserves attention. For example, when foreigners go to the Forbidden City and these popular scenic spots, they need to make an appointment and buy tickets in advance. If I can't buy tickets, I may not want to come.

Personnel issue: Due to the relative stagnation of inbound tourism in recent years, foreign language tour guides, external contacts, and some new types of tourism routes are not fully prepared. For example, when foreigners come to China, do they still have to look at Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Guilin and Guangzhou, or do they have to look at traditional Chinese cultural symbols? Yes, but they will pay more attention to a modern China, a China that reflects national rejuvenation and people's happiness, such as aircraft, high-speed rail, and urban construction, which will become a very important factor to attract foreigners to visit. Objectively speaking, we are not fully prepared to build a new era of national tourism routes in this regard.

There is still a lot of work to be done in overseas promotion. For example, what kind of China should we promote, and how to truly make a story of elegant Huaxia and "Hello! China" deeply rooted in people's hearts, rather than just using promotion as publicity. So it is very important to tell a good story about China in the new era, especially to let some overseas travel merchants understand China and let foreigners come to China. They can not only ask us about "city" everywhere, but also spend more money in cities and villages. Further efforts are needed to enhance convenience.

Foreigners' inbound travel may exceed 15 million person times in the second half of the year! Expected to recover to 80% of 2019 for the whole year

Dai Bin, President of China Tourism Research Institute: We have just finished the analysis of the tourism economic situation in the second half of the year. It is estimated that the number of foreigners coming to China for tourism in the second half of the year will exceed 15 million, and the annual data may recover to more than 80% in 2019. In addition, many scenic spots no longer implement a reservation system. Of course, there are still some scenic spots that need to retain the reservation method. We hope that some scenic spots and museums can take convenient measures in terms of foreign tourists' reservations from two aspects in the next step.

For group tours organized by travel agencies, sufficient ticket quotas should still be provided.

Foreigners take a relatively longer time to make travel decisions. They don't travel in the afternoon, but in the morning. They may make decisions a month or more in advance, which requires that the time for booking tickets be correspondingly advanced, such as opening tickets a month or more in advance. Otherwise, inbound tourists will be unable to enter China, which will greatly affect their travel experience and mood.

Which of the three major tourism markets is more important? How necessary is it to develop inbound tourism?

There are three major segments in the tourism market, including inbound tourism, domestic tourism, and outbound tourism. In your opinion, which market is more important? Do we still need to coordinate and coordinate development? In addition, some people will think that we have worked so hard that the number of foreigners coming to China in the second half of the year is expected to exceed 15 million. Is it necessary to pay such attention to inbound tourism?

Dai Bin, President of China Tourism Research Institute: Firstly, the coordinated development of the three major markets is an established policy guideline for the development of the tourism industry. The development of tourism economy, of course, should focus on the tourism needs of the local people, so that people can live a better life. But at the same time, I believe that any country developing its tourism industry cannot give up the inbound tourism market. In fact, the development of tourism in China after the reform and opening up began with inbound tourism. The 1980s was the "golden decade" for inbound tourism, and developing inbound tourism was crucial.

1. It can improve our national image, create and shape a more open, inclusive, and friendly national image, which will have a direct positive impact on foreign investment, foreign trade, and other aspects.

2. Inbound tourism can bring direct tourism consumption and help us create foreign exchange. Just because the economy is developing and the domestic tourism market is doing well now, there is no need to develop inbound tourism. Instead, we need to make good use of both internal and external tourism markets and resources.

3. More importantly, foreigners will also help us improve the short board of tourism economic development and improve our service quality from a foreign cultural perspective after the arrival of the inbound tourism market.

So in the new historical period, the determination to develop inbound tourism must not waver, and the confidence in developing inbound tourism will also increase.

How to build a tourism image and enhance its attractiveness to foreign tourists?

Dai Bin, President of China Tourism Research Institute: I hope to shape a more three-dimensional and comprehensive tourism image in the promotion and publicity. I hope foreigners can come to China and learn about an elegant and colorful China from the Book of Songs to the Red Mansions; A magnificent China from Mount Huangshan to the Yellow River; We also want foreigners to come to China and see young people wearing ancient clothes in the Temple of Heaven Park, wandering freely in the street and smiling in the scenic spots. That is to say, it is necessary to show foreign countries a new image of people walking freely on this land. So when promoting to the outside world, it is necessary to use some new methods to tell the story of China's tourism well.

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