Author/AI Milestone
Source/Milestone
Image source/photo.com
Recently, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the popular social media of the Internet hot words "city is not city" and "good city" at a regular press conference, saying that he was very happy to see foreign friends enjoying the beautiful scenery and food in China and experiencing the vivid and real China firsthand. The response once again raised the popularity of this hot stalk in the circle of inbound tourism "foreigners", and Milestone searched social platforms and found that the keyword "city is not city" has been associated with more than 152w+ notes in Xiaohongshu, #外交部回应city不city走红#词条已有超过9700万的阅读.
Milestone noticed that this buzzword, originally coined by a foreign blogger who works and lives in Shanghai, has become synonymous with foreigners traveling to China to praise China's beautiful scenery and food, and this wave of city wind continues to heat up as inbound tourism continues to heat up.
The number of inbound tourists has surged, and the "144" policy has driven the rapid development of inbound tourism
According to data released by the National Immigration Administration, from January to June 2024, a total of 287 million people entered and exited the country by immigration management agencies, a year-on-year increase of 70.9%. Among them, there were 137 million mainland residents, 121 million Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents, and 29.22 million foreigners. There were 14.635 million foreigners entering the country's ports, a year-on-year increase of 152.7%. It is particularly noteworthy that the number of foreigners entering the country through visa exemption reached 8.542 million, accounting for 52%, a year-on-year increase of 190.1%.
These data show that the visa-free policy, especially the "144-hour transit visa-free" policy, has significantly promoted the development of inbound tourism for foreigners. It is understood that the "144-hour transit visa-free" policy covers Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou and other cities and regions, aiming to provide convenience for transit passengers, attract them to stay in China for a longer period of time, and deeply experience the beauty and culture of China. The implementation of this policy has not only lowered the threshold for foreign tourists to travel to China, but also effectively promoted the development of tourism. Tourists can visit these cities and their surroundings without a visa for 144 hours, which provides great convenience for both short-haul travelers and business travelers.
From the perspective of the effect of policy implementation, a large number of foreign tourists choose to take advantage of this policy to stay in major cities and visit in depth. As a result, hotels, attractions and shopping malls in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and other cities have welcomed a large number of foreign tourists, driving the comprehensive development of the local tourism industry chain. Hotel bookings have increased significantly, especially the occupancy rate of high-end hotels and business hotels, and the overall revenue of the hotel industry has increased significantly. At the same time, related industries such as catering, transportation, and shopping have also benefited greatly.
At the same time, the "144-hour transit visa-free" policy has also promoted the diversified development of tourism products. Tourism companies have launched special tourism routes and products for visa-free tourists, such as short-term city tours, cultural experience tours, food exploration tours, etc. These products not only meet the diverse needs of foreign tourists, but also provide new ideas for the development and utilization of local tourism resources. While enjoying the convenient policies, many foreign tourists have an in-depth understanding of China's history, culture and modern development, which enhances their favorability and recognition of China.
The cultural and tourism industry is deeply integrated, and the inbound tourism experience is richer and more diverse
The recovery of the inbound tourism market has not only driven the growth of the hotel industry, but also promoted the in-depth integration of the cultural and tourism industry. In order to attract more foreign tourists, various places have launched a variety of cultural and tourism activities, combining traditional culture with modern tourism elements, providing tourists with a richer and more diverse travel experience. This trend not only enhances the experience of foreign tourists, but also enhances the international dissemination of Chinese culture.
In fact, in recent years, governments and tourism enterprises in various parts of China have actively promoted the integrated development of the cultural and tourism industry, enriching the travel experience of inbound tourists by holding various cultural activities, art exhibitions, music festivals and folk festivals, and enhancing the cultural connotation of tourism by creating cultural tourism attractions and cultural experience projects. For example, historical and cultural scenic spots such as the Palace Museum and the Summer Palace in Beijing have launched a variety of cultural experience activities, such as cultural relics exhibitions, traditional handicraft displays, and ancient ritual performances, attracting a large number of foreign tourists to visit and experience. The West Lake Scenic Area in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, has created a number of creative cultural and artistic spaces and exhibitions by introducing modern art elements and digital technology, enhancing visitors' sense of cultural experience.
The integration of culture and tourism not only enriches the travel experience of inbound tourists, but also brings new opportunities for local economic development. Through the development and promotion of cultural tourism resources with local characteristics, various places have not only attracted more foreign tourists, but also promoted the development of local catering, accommodation, transportation and other related industries.
The in-depth integration of the cultural and tourism industry has also promoted the international dissemination of Chinese culture. In the process of experiencing a variety of cultural activities and tourism projects, foreign tourists have an in-depth understanding of China's history, culture and modern development, and enhance their cognition and recognition of Chinese culture. Through the international promotion of cultural and tourism activities, China's traditional culture and modern art have been more widely disseminated and recognized, and China's influence on the international cultural stage has been enhanced.
The digital industry is thriving, and the inbound tourism experience continues to be optimized
In recent years, China's tourism industry has accelerated the pace of digital transformation, using advanced technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things to improve the intelligence and personalization of tourism services. For example, the Palace Museum in Beijing offers a multilingual docent service through its official app, allowing visitors to access detailed information about the artefacts and tour routes through their smartphones. Many cities and tourist attractions have introduced smart tour systems, online booking platforms, multilingual services, and cashless payment systems to provide convenient travel services for foreign tourists. These digital initiatives not only enhance the convenience of travel, but also enhance their overall evaluation of China's tourism services.
In the hospitality industry, digital services also play an important role. Many hotels have introduced smart check-in and check-out systems, allowing visitors to complete reservations, check-ins and check-out procedures through their mobile phones, avoiding the hassle of waiting in line. At the same time, the application of the intelligent room system enables visitors to control the lighting, temperature and entertainment equipment of the room through voice, which improves the comfort and experience of the stay. The popularity of cashless payment systems also provides great convenience for foreign tourists, avoiding the trouble of exchanging cash and making change.
Travel companies and platforms are also actively promoting the digital transformation of online booking and messaging services. Travel platforms such as Ctrip and Mafengwo have improved service efficiency and user satisfaction by optimizing the user experience of their official websites and apps. Visitors can easily book flights, hotels, and attraction tickets through these platforms, as well as get real-time travel information and tips. These digital services not only enhance the convenience of tourists, but also enhance their trust and dependence on China's tourism services.
With the continuous development and application of digital and intelligent technologies, China's tourism industry will further improve its service level and user experience. By continuously innovating and optimizing digital services, China is expected to maintain its leading position in the global tourism market and attract more foreign tourists to visit and experience. At the same time, the wide application of digital services will also promote the high-quality development of the tourism industry and enhance China's competitiveness and influence in the international tourism market.
Write at the end
It can be seen that in this vast land of China, whether it is a historical cultural scenic spot or a modern cityscape, it attracts tourists from all over the world. At present, China is welcoming guests from all over the world with its inclusive and open attitude. In the future, with the continuous improvement and innovation of service levels, China will continue to become a popular tourist destination in the hearts of tourists around the world, showing its infinite charm and infinite possibilities.
※This article only represents the author's personal views and is not the position of Maidian.com