/ world today news/ Iolina Vasileva has a master’s degree in Intercultural Communication, with extensive experience in the tourism industry, who has repeatedly participated in tourist and business exhibitions in China and Bulgaria related to Chinese culture. For KMG, she commented on some recent developments in China’s tourism sector and their importance in attracting more tourists to the Celestial Empire.
“China is building bridges based on mutual cooperation, dialogue and diplomacy, and globalization and rapid change in modern society are bringing new opportunities. The prosperity of Chinese society and international cooperation with shared and common benefits for all countries are embedded in all policies led by the PRC. One of them is the “Plan for the development of the tourism sector in the period 2021-2025″, which aims to create a more modern system for the tourism sector in the country, integrating cultural development and high technologies,” says Iolina Vasileva and comments:
The political, cultural and trade relations between China and the countries of the world are of utmost importance to all economies, they cover and influence areas such as investment, infrastructure, know-how, human rights, security, energy, tourism, culture and others.
She recalls and emphasizes that by 2035, China has set a goal to once again become an accessible and popular global tourist destination, featuring a variety of tourist attractions, national parks with their distinctive characteristics of Chinese culture, world-class resorts, modern and high quality tourism products. The draft states the need to promote inbound and outbound travel, but in line with the global Covid-19 pandemic and prioritizing the prevention and control of the flow of people.
Q. As an expert with extensive experience in the tourism industry, especially between Bulgaria and China, please share your opinion on the latest developments in the Middle East in the field of tourism and culture, which, in your opinion, will have a great impact on making China once again one of the most desired tourist destinations?
A. A significant development in China’s tourism industry is the growing emphasis on cultural tourism, where rich cultural heritage is intertwined with modern consumer needs and digitalization. The Chinese nation has an abundance of historical and cultural treasures, and this facilitates the easier implementation of the project that aims to develop the tourism industry through policies that stimulate culture and tourism. In 2023, the country’s “travel landscape” is marked by an increasing emphasis on technology-enhanced experiences that meet the preferences of modern tourists and travelers. China’s tech-centric tourism trend shows the integration of smart travel solutions through innovative smartphone apps. For example: smart hotel room management; transportation with real-time updates and augmented reality; virtual realities – allowing tourists to explore historic sites, cultural attractions and natural wonders through virtual tours that bring destinations to life; contactless services and digital payments; QR codes eliminating physical currency and bank cards; virtual guides etc. These modern enhancements blend seamlessly with the tranquil tourist backdrop, enriching the cultural experience.
In 2019, before the pandemic hit, China had the largest outbound tourism market in the world with 169 million trips that year, (data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China). China recently announced an easing of restrictions on group tourism abroad, with the main inquiries for package tours going to countries such as Japan and Australia. The increase in passenger flights between the US and China should positively affect the flow of tourists in both directions. However, many challenges and obstacles remain – international flights from China remain at around 50% of pre-pandemic levels. The visa application process is still significantly complicated and prices for many of the world’s popular tourist destinations are significantly inflated.
China is increasingly coping with myriad economic challenges, both internationally and domestically. The tourism industry has seen a recovery that boosts consumption and global confidence in China and boosts cross-border trade and cooperation. In the long term, all the measures taken and plans drawn up will give direction to the future development of the tourist and cultural consumer market, as well as a boost to the national economy.
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