Commentary: Chinese tourists are traveling abroad again, but mostly in their own country

Domestic tourism: a stimulus for economic growth

China’s tourism industry is vital not only to the country’s economy but also to the global economic landscape. Tourism drives consumption, which is crucial as the world copes with an economic slowdown.

In recent years, the Chinese government has attached great importance to developing domestic tourism to stimulate economic growth.

As China’s economy slows – It grew up Growth in the second quarter of this year was 4.7%That was down from the 5.3% increase in the previous quarter. Expanding tourism service consumption has become a top priority.

Domestic tourism helps boost demand-side economic growth and provides compensatory growth for consumption that was suppressed during the epidemic. Under increasing social pressure, urban residents regard tourism as an indispensable consumption choice.

They escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and seek physical and mental restoration in the sunny beaches and fresh scenery. Although household incomes may have shrunk, middle-class Chinese families still have disposable income to spend on domestic vacations. For families with children, family vacations provide parents with an opportunity to bond with their children and educate them. Even if parents cannot travel with their children, they will spend money to send their children on summer or winter vacations to “study abroad.”

also, High-speed rail system The rise of online travel apps such as Ctrip, Qunar, and Mafengwo has greatly facilitated domestic travel. Young Chinese travelers are increasingly exploring, seeking novel attractions and niche immersive travel experiences. The rise of user-generated short travel videos and travel live broadcasts on social media has also driven netizens’ love for lesser-known destinations.

Thus, official data released on July 26 showed that 2.73 billion domestic trips From January to June this year, domestic tourists spent 2.73 trillion yuan (378 billion U.S. dollars) on outbound travel, up 19% year-on-year. Domestic tourism spending alone is expected to hit a new high by the end of this year, contributing 6.79 trillion yuan to the economy.

The surge highlights the strong recovery of China’s domestic tourism industry and its growing importance. This year, tourism is expected to account for at least 9% of GDPAccording to the China Tourism Association.