The projected growth of the Chinese travel market is one of the hot topics at the ongoing World Travel Market (WTM) in London for 2023, as global travel service providers anticipate further business opportunities in the Asian country.
According to the Global Travel Report released at the event, the trend of growing tour markets in emerging economies such as China, India and Indonesia continues. With growing affluence in these countries, more and more people are able to indulge in travel in their spare time.
The report also highlights the potentially growing interest of China’s older population in organised tours such as sightseeing cruises.
„Asia Pacific is a critical driver of global tourism, both tour and domestic, and the growth figures for China and other countries in the region are very positive news for us all,“ said Juliette Losard, WTM London exhibition director.
Natalia Bayon, executive director of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), told Xinhua news agency that China is a strong market and boasts a high level of education, investment and innovation in the tourism industry.
Earlier this year, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili led a delegation to Hangzhou, China, and warmly welcomed the lifting of travel restrictions as a major boost to economic growth and social opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region and globally. He was the first UN agency head to visit China since the lifting of restrictions.
Patricia Page-Champion, Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Hilton, shared her insights during the panel discussion. „I was in Shanghai last week and it was pretty amazing,“ she said. „Domestic travel is booming in this country.“
„What we’re seeing now is an influx of Chinese tourists to the UAE. We are very happy with this and we believe that there will be a further increase in the near future,“ said Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of the Sharjah Trade and Tourism Development Authority, at another panel discussion.
China returned to WTM London 2023 on Monday with a rich tourism offering that has attracted global tourism providers eager to welcome tourists from China.
Kathryn Davis, chief executive of Visit West, which represents destination management for Bristol, Bath and the wider West of England region, said they have seen an increase in the number of Chinese tourists this year. „We think it’s a great start to further develop our partnership,“ she told Xinhua news agency. „It’s important that we work with local partners and with partners in China to make sure we offer the right services and the right products at the right price.“
The WTM in London, which has been held since 1980, introduces the world’s most important destinations and tourism products to interested travelers every year. It is one of the world’s most influential tourism events.
During the three-day event, representatives from China also took the stage to showcase their advanced technologies designed to improve tourism services.
In a panel discussion hosted by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), Li Paochun, deputy head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, presented the ways in which China’s capital city is using technology to offer smarter and more efficient services to tourists.
On Wednesday, an online platform was unveiled at the China Pavilion to showcase the rich resources of China’s culture and tourism to WTM visitors. The platform uses metaverse technology to attract those who are familiar with virtual video games.
(Xinhua)
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