Dai Bin | Loyalty to the Party's Tourism Construction and National Tourism Development Theory - Speech in Commemorating the 103rd Anniversary of the Founding of the Party and the Year of Ideological C

Comrades

Attaching importance to and earnestly strengthening ideological work is a fine tradition and political advantage for the CPC to lead the people to constantly win the victory of revolution, construction and reform.

The research on tourism in the new era must

Adhere to the leadership of the Party and uphold the position of the people

Doing ideological work well is related to the future and destiny of the Party. In order to maintain progressiveness and purity, consolidate the Party's ruling position and mass base, our Party must vigorously strengthen the Party's ideological and theoretical construction, arm the whole Party with the Party's innovative theory, educate the people, consolidate the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field, ensure that the Party always leads the times, receives the people's heartfelt support, and always becomes a strong leadership core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

As a national tourism think tank, the China Tourism Research Institute has had two core tasks since its establishment. The second is to unite and lead the national tourism academic community, steadily build a tourism discipline system, academic system, and discourse system with distinct characteristics of the times from a Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method, and provide reliable and practical knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual momentum for the construction of a tourism power. These two core tasks are both related to ideology. From the 16 year history of the establishment of the academy, how well these two core tasks are completed directly determines whether this basic team of seven or eight people and five or six guns at the turn of spring and summer in 2008 can stand firm and steady in the complex environment, and directly determines whether this small boat carrying glory and dreams can sail through the narrow and narrow Kafudin Strait and the windy and stormy Cape of Good Hope. It was at that meeting that we officially proposed the concept of "serving the industry and serving the country" and systematically promoted the construction of landmark achievements such as the "1+8+X" tourism economy blue book. Since then, themed party day activities have been held every year at revolutionary memorial halls in various places, to coordinate and promote tourism theory research, data production, social services, academic promotion, and external exchanges with Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan through party building. Efforts have been made to build the research institute and data center into a team with ideals, beliefs, and goals, a team willing to fight and sacrifice for ideals and beliefs, a team capable of determining tactical goals at different stages of development, achieving them, and steadily moving towards medium - and long-term goals.

Only by addressing development oriented issues such as who theoretical construction is for, who tourism research relies on, and how to build data systems, can research institutes and data centers distinguish themselves from hundreds or thousands of tourism schools, research institutes, and other social research institutions. Only by overcoming the insufficient conditions, internal conflicts, and external challenges in the development process can they repeatedly emerge from seemingly impossible lows, build seemingly impossible positions, and embark on a unique path of tourism think tank development. Looking back, it's not easy, comrades! When the construction of Building 711 was underway, I was thinking to myself, 'There is nothing else for a scholar to serve the country, only a pen like a knife in his hand.' I was writing my first copy of 'Travel Reference' in my hand, but I didn't know how long it would take to realize this ideal. At that time, the scheduled frequency was once every two weeks, but soon faced the dilemma of insufficient experience, manpower, funding, and data. What should we do? Only by gritting your teeth and persevering, it's just getting too tired and sleeping less. Now, with the addition of the "Special Report on Tourism Internal Reference", the Literature Center has accumulated more than 500 "small blueprints" and nearly a hundred leadership instructions, which are not only the growth records of research institutes and data centers, but also the historical documents of theoretical and practical innovation in China's tourism development. The viewpoints and propositions of "life above the landscape", "subject guest sharing", "from scenery to scenery", "consumption is the key to understanding the tourism economy", "business environment is the key to tourism competitiveness", "every effort of the government can be felt by tourists", etc. Tourist satisfaction, tourism economic warning, cultural tourism integration, night tourism, ice and snow tourism, summer tourism, study tourism, urban tourism, one new field after another expansion, one social service and international exchange project after another, all stem from these original research reports.

Anyone can write reports and calculate data, why can we transform these reports and data into practical innovative achievements? Without exception, this team has always adhered to the leadership of the Party in the research of philosophy and social sciences, and has been striving for the people's right to tourism. The only reason for the existence of research institutes and data centers is to always think about the needs of the country and the people, and to solve the key, difficult, and hot issues in the process of tourism development, rather than personal fame and fortune. This is the ideological foundation for the long-term stability of research institutes and data centers, as well as the essence of vitality. If the project fails, you can start over. If the team breaks up, you can reunite. If the spirit and energy are lost, this team will have no soul. More than a decade ago, a colleague from a government agency once said, 'You talk about serving the country and the people every day, and you always feel energized. Are you tired?'? Besides, others may not believe it either. I said it's tiring, but without these, why are we here? As for how to make others believe, there is no other way except to follow through on words and actions, and to lead by example and persist for the long term. Sixteen years since its establishment, just over half of the thirty achievements have been made, and the eight thousand mile journey has already passed, which can be considered as gradually achieving some positive results. But does every cadre and employee inside fully agree? Do the system, industry, and various sectors of society fully understand? I don't think so. For this reason, the original aspiration of fighting for the Party's tourism industry and the mission of working for the people's tourism rights must be clearly stated, openly stated, and repeatedly stated to comrades, whether in the past, present, or future, until they fully agree in ideology and are fully conscious in action. There must be no ambiguity, let alone any wavering, in the fundamental question of who one should serve throughout their life.

Strengthening Tourism Research in the New Era

Sense of position and spirit of struggle

Marx once said, "Once theory has mastered the masses, it will also become a material force." The CPC has always attached great importance to theoretical armed forces, insisting that theoretical innovation should be further advanced every time, and theoretical armed forces should be further advanced, so as to constantly consolidate the common ideological basis for the unity and struggle of the whole party and the whole people. Philosophy and social sciences are important tools for people to understand and transform the world, and are an important force in promoting historical development and social progress.

Since its establishment, the Research Institute (Data Center) has been committed to understanding, loving, and serving China's tourism industry, striving to explore national, popular, and scientific theories of tourism development. In the 1980s, the development of tourism was aimed at generating foreign exchange. In the mid to late 1990s, the focus was on driving consumption, investment, and employment. Now, there is a greater emphasis on promoting a better life for the people through "poetry and distant places", emphasizing the deep integration of culture and tourism, and promoting high-quality development of the tourism industry. With the completion of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, mass tourism has entered a new stage of comprehensive development. "Don't worry about food and clothing, and have surplus money to travel" has become a common aspiration and rigid demand of urban and rural residents for a better life, as well as a hot topic during the annual "Two Sessions" and a focus of attention from all sectors of society. The tourism practice of each period calls for the progress of tourism ideas and innovation of tourism theories, and guides the tourism practice of various regions and industries with progressive ideas and innovative theories. To this end, we rely on major and key scientific and technological projects, major and key social science projects, as well as various vertical and horizontal projects at all levels. Through monthly urban tourism heat forecasts, quarterly tourism economic situation analysis and tourist satisfaction reports, tourism market reports for seven holidays, summer special reports, annual "China Tourism Economy Blue Book" and reports on domestic tourism, inbound tourism, outbound tourism, travel services, tourist scenic spots and resorts, tourism accommodation and tourism groups, as well as "Contemporary Tourism Theory Collection" and "Postdoctoral Tourism Research Library", we have gradually formed a paradigm for contemporary Chinese tourism research and become an important battlefield for China's theoretical construction and ideological front. At the same time, we also need to recognize that there are still a series of problems within ourselves, such as the team not yet formed, the team needs to be updated, the breakthrough of landmark achievements in theory is insufficient, the demand side data of tourism needs to be improved, and the construction of the supply side data system needs to be accelerated. We also face the question of how long we can continue to raise this banner.

Whether we can firmly grasp the leadership of ideological work depends on whether we can occupy the online battlefield and win the online dominance. We need to be more proactive in carrying out external propaganda, promoting China's development path, development philosophy, and development mode well, promoting China's contributions to world development well, refuting various unfounded doubts and false attacks against China, and providing strong support for creating a good public opinion environment domestically. To this end, we need to further strengthen our awareness of the battlefield and enhance the spirit of struggle.

We must resolutely fight against pessimistic views on the development of the tourism industry. Every once in a while, especially during holiday data releases and seasonal analysis meetings for tourism economy operations, pessimistic views and questioning voices such as "prosperous Ding but not prosperous Cai", "increasing income but not increasing profits", and "macro positive news but micro negative news" will arise. Some experts and scholars seize the main battlefield of public opinion with the attitude of daring to tell the truth, while some self media use "headline party" to lead the rhythm and mainstream views on the connotation of spring and autumn brushwork, showing a trend of "no hero in the world, rising to fame". Comrades in theory, data, and administration should have a clear understanding of this, and have a high degree of theoretical confidence, data confidence, and team confidence. The reform, opening up, and innovative exploration of various regions and lines, as well as the aspirations of urban and rural residents for a better life, have built the most solid market foundation for the tourism economy to enter a new cycle of prosperous development. In terms of data, we cannot just look at the issue from the perspective of group tourists and traditional business models. Isn't the consumption of self guided tourists outside of scenic resorts tourism consumption? Isn't the consumption after the car and before the trip tourism consumption? Aren't shipping companies, car rental companies, and tourist shopping villages tourism enterprises? As the saying goes, speaking for whom from whose standpoint has always been the fundamental issue in the construction of tourism theory. Whether it is for personal fame and instant discourse power, or for the construction of a tourism powerhouse that satisfies tourists and benefits the people, determines our perspective and methods of looking at problems, and determines the spirit of an institution.

We must resolutely fight against the failure theory of 'how long can the flag of the research institute be raised'. Nowadays, research institutes and data centers have gained considerable popularity and influence within the system, across industries, and in society. Our every move, word, and action will attract everyone's attention. There may be approving looks, well intentioned criticism, questioning voices, or even malicious slander, all of which are normal things. What needs to be wary of is short-term friction, comprehensive negation, and long-term pessimism, as well as the resulting mindset of complacency. There are always people questioning the fact that such a base of dozens of people cannot support the growth space of strategic leaders and young top talents, and therefore there will be no sustainable development in the future. For a period of time, some doctoral and postdoctoral fellows were unable to be trained in the institute for several years. Several mid to senior level researchers transferred to universities and were under temporary pressure. Some comrades felt that something was wrong and wanted to pack their bags and go back to Gao Laozhuang. This kind of thinking is completely wrong! A person, an institution, or a career, how could they all be born with a golden key and grow up smoothly. Out of the 13 representatives of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, only two comrades, Mao Zedong and Dong Biwu, walked up to the Tiananmen Gate Tower. They still overthrew the three major mountains of feudalism, bureaucracy, and imperialism and built a new China. The Red Army's Long March, with 100000 soldiers, resulted in more than half of the losses in the bloody battle on the Xiangjiang River, but still achieved victories in the War of Resistance Against Japan, the War of Liberation, and the Korean War. Every time I recite the inscription at the Monument to the People's Heroes, tears welled up in my eyes: "For the past three years, the people's heroes who sacrificed themselves in the People's Liberation War and the People's Revolution will be immortalized! For the past thirty years, the people's heroes who sacrificed themselves in the People's Liberation War and the People's Revolution will be immortalized! Going back to 1840, from then on, the people's heroes who sacrificed themselves in various struggles to oppose internal and external enemies, strive for national independence and people's freedom and happiness will be immortalized!" Compared with the cause of the Party and the country, research institutes, data centers, and individuals are too small, and some of the ups and downs they have experienced are nothing. Someone once wanted to 'break the monopoly of research institutes on tourism think tanks', someone once took away our technical documents, someone once wanted to poach our team, someone once besieged our data, there were winds and rains, and there was a great potential to rebuild the system. What was the result? The postdoctoral workstation has been established, the National Tourism Administration Data Center has been set up, the "Tourism Review" journal has approved it, Guanghua Building has bought two houses, and a literature center and data center have been built. More than 20 comrades have obtained professional and technical positions as researchers and associate researchers, and a number of major scientific and social science projects have passed the acceptance inspection. Since its establishment, the research institute and data center have never been defeated by any difficulties, but have been keeping pace with the times and growing together with the tourism industry of the Republic. The righteous path in the world is full of vicissitudes, comrades!

We must resolutely fight against academic guerrilla theory that abandons platform and battlefield construction. High level theoretical construction requires a high-quality platform, and mastering the initiative of ideological struggle requires a stable base. Some comrades think that we are a directly affiliated institution of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is the platform, while the courtyard of No. 9 is the battlefield. This is a fact, but it's not entirely stated. For a directly affiliated unit, if it only carries one flag and rents two floors for office, it cannot form combat effectiveness. What if one day the reform of public institutions involves the merger of research institutes and data centers? What if one day the relevant departments ask us to move out because the research institute and data center are not internal institutions of the department? What if one day the team building fails to achieve the ideal goal and the team cannot catch up for a while? Perhaps some comrades say that after eating all the birds and throwing them into the forest, the heavens will not starve and blind birds will not be able to learn anywhere. Individuals are allowed, institutions are not allowed, and research institutes and data centers are even more prohibited. In this regard, the tourism academic community has too many lessons to learn. The team of a few people has left, and although the institution is still there, its academic reputation, research and innovation capabilities, and social influence have disappeared, and even decades cannot be turned over. Without platforms and positions, stable financial support, and a continuous talent cultivation mechanism, there are only a few famous actors who are unreliable, and most people have nowhere to go. I hope that the heads of each department and comrades with senior professional titles will have lofty aspirations, constantly break through their inner thieves, and make the greatest effort and sacrifice to build tangible and intangible platforms and positions. Some comrades may have suffered various grievances during their growth process and cannot let go for a long time. They always feel that no one helped them in the past, so why do they have to make wedding dresses for others now. I think it's better to let go and let go, as South African President Mandela said: When I walked out of the cell and towards the prison gate leading to freedom, I already knew that if I couldn't leave my pain and resentment behind, then I was still in prison. Platforms and positions are built for future generations, as well as for oneself. We are never afraid of sacrifice, afraid of being forgotten. It's not about forgetting a specific person, but about forgetting the ideals and beliefs we have been striving for throughout our lives.

The research on tourism in the new era must

Adhere to the leadership of the Party and uphold the position of the people

Literature and art cannot be slaves to the market, and theory cannot be slaves to the market. In the new historical period, we need to unite and lead the national tourism academic community, accelerate the construction of a people-centered national tourism development theory, and also do a good job in theoretical propaganda, telling the story of China from the perspective of tourism.

The power of theory first comes from the builder's heartfelt faith. Without true faith, effective dissemination, acceptance, and action will not occur. In the process of theoretical construction, dissemination, and acceptance, concepts, viewpoints, and propositions derived from investigation and research, data analysis, and theoretical abstraction, including language, writing, platforms, and channels, are undoubtedly important communication systems. However, the genuine identification of intellectuals, experts, and scholars is even more crucial. Classical Marxist works such as "The Communist Manifesto," "Capital," and "The State and Revolution," whether in terms of language, writing, concepts, and the logic behind their development, even professors who studied abroad in China a hundred years ago had significant reading barriers, and there was a greater risk of being imprisoned and beheaded for their dissemination and acceptance. Why are there still so many people translating, spreading, and practicing them? Because these words shine with the brilliance of reason and the passion of practice, pointing out the direction of saving the country and the people, giving faith to prophets, and giving strength to pioneers. It was only with Qu Qiubai's first translation of "The Internationale" into Chinese that intellectuals such as Li Dazhao, Li Hanjun, Guo Moruo, Chen Qixiu, Pan Dongzhou, Hou Wailu, Wang Sihua, Guo Dali, and Wang Yanan took over the translation of "Capital", dedicating their lifelong talents and efforts, even sacrificing their precious lives. As an intellectual and expert scholar, if one only has personal fame and fortune without a national perspective, and only has personal grievances without iron shoulder morality, then where is the moral tradition? What is the value? Can our efforts and achievements today withstand the scrutiny of future generations? Today's China has gone through the "golden decade" of inbound tourism in the 1980s and the primary stage of market-oriented mass tourism in the first two decades of the 21st century. It urgently needs to answer the questions of the times such as "for whom, who to rely on, and what to do" in tourism development. Only by starting from the perspective of the people and striving to enable everyone to enjoy their own "poetry and distance" on this beautiful land and blue planet, can we build a national tourism development theory that is both valuable for the times and historically significant.

Tourism is a way to cultivate one's character, and the Chinese nation has a tradition of "reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles" since ancient times. From "Shan Hai Jing" and "Shui Jing Zhu" to "Xu Xiake's Travels" and "Six Records of Floating Life", from the "Road of Tang Poetry" to the "Silk Road", people appreciate the beauty of nature and the beauty of humanity during their journey, and also form a tourism narrative system rooted in excellent traditional culture. Constrained by the level of economic and social development, "poetry and distant lands" has only been the life of a few people and the dream of ordinary people for thousands of years. May 19th is the opening day of "Xu Xiake's Travels". "In the month of Gui Chou, the third month is full of darkness. As we leave the west gate of Ninghai, the clouds disperse and the sun shines brightly, and we are all filled with joy." Since 2013, this day has been designated as China Tourism Day. We commemorate Xu Xiake not only because he was a great geographer and writer, but also because in an era where tourism was only a privilege enjoyed by a minority of the aristocracy and literati, he provided ordinary people with the imaginative space for grand tours. With the completion of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and the increasing display of national tourism rights, we have seen Xu Xiake walking out of the west gate of Ninghai, with children following closely, family and friends following closely, and more and more workers, farmers, businessmen, students, teachers, doctors, scientists, entrepreneurs... following closely, gradually converging into the current of mass tourism. The tourism industry has also grown from small to large, from weak to strong, and has embarked on a unique path of tourism with Chinese characteristics.

Such a rich history and splendid civilization should form a tourism development theory and disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system with Chinese characteristics. Unfortunately, we do not have such a theoretical system. Our students are familiar with seaside vacation cases and the life cycle theory of tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and South Pacific, as well as travel agencies such as Thomas Cook, TUI, JTB, Agoda, Klook, Booking, Expedia, TripAdvisor, theme park operators such as Disney, Universal, and Merlin, and high-end hotel brands such as Four Seasons, Sheraton, Hilton, InterContinental, Marriott, and Westin. However, few of them have studied the rural residents' travel market, rural hotel formats, tourism investment and project construction, transformation and group growth of state-owned tourism enterprises. The main reason for this situation is that there have been problems in the construction of the main battlefield for tourism research, achievement publication, and academic promotion during a certain historical period.

I have already provided a systematic exposition on the key points of the construction of national tourism development theory in my closing speech "National Tourism Development Theory, Why and How to Build" at the 2024 China Tourism Science Annual Conference on April 22 this year. One is to adhere to the people-centered development concept and reconstruct the value orientation of mass tourism. The second is to cultivate new quality productive forces and promote high-quality development of the tourism industry. The third is to adhere to the concept of green development, promote theoretical innovation and experience summary of green tourism. The fourth is to implement the global civilization initiative and the concept of great power diplomacy, develop civilized tourism, and tell the story of China's tourism in the new era well.

Comrades,

We have always adhered to the tourism industry of the Party and the country, and for the people's tourism rights. A group of the most talented tourism scholars have gathered from all over the world on the platform of research institutes and data centers, dedicating all their talents and lifelong efforts to live up to the times and travel.

We always firmly believe that no matter how the external environment changes or how personnel change, as long as we follow the guidance of the Party, obey the call of the Republic, and keep the people in our hearts, the China Tourism Research Institute and the tourism academic community will surely achieve stability and success!

Author | Edited by Dai Bin | Source by Liu Xin | Reproduction by China Tourism Research Institute (Data Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism) Please indicate the author and source