Travellers planning to book a China tour package may be interested to hear that they’re not alone in visiting the country, as local tourism experts say more travellers are arriving than ever before.
The emerging superpower has reported strong developments in its domestic and outbound tourism sector during the first nine months of 2011, according to the China Tourism Academy.
While the number of people visiting the country is increasing, China is becoming a global leader in outbound tourism at a faster rate.
The total number of trips in the first three quarters is expected to be 2.08 billion, up by 12 per cent year on year, reports Breaking Travel News.
Additionally, the country saw a total travel income of 1.66 trillion yuan (£163 million), which represents an increase of nearly 20 per cent when compared to 2010.
There has also been improvement recorded on the country’s national tourists’ satisfaction index, with domestic travellers’ index also showing an improvement in most cities.
“In the third quarter, the comprehensive tourists’ satisfaction index is 80.48, which means ‘satisfied’,” the group explained.
“The gap between the tourism economy of each region, classed as eastern, central and westerly China, is small; all stand at ‘relative prosperity’ in the first three quarters.”
High-speed rail travel, summer holidays, “red tourism” and the recent horticultural exhibition in Xi’an have boosted the tourism market in the three regions.
Further tourism was generated by special events, such as short-tern fairs, however, the industry is relying more on local environmental attractions as well as social development.
Shanghai plans to attract thousands of tourist to its International Arts Fair which kicks off on November 13th.
The event is known for opening with a home-grown act and closing with a foreign performance highlight.
“We have chosen the ballet, The Taming of the Shrew, from Bavaria for the closing performance this year,” revealed Liu Wenguo, the festival’s art director.