With the development of the society, the tourism industry has become one of those industries with the highest growth rate and the largest development scale in the world. The tourism industry plays an increasingly important role in the urban economy, stimulating the development of urban economy, social employment, culture and environment. In China, the tourism industry is also regarded as a pillar sector.

 

In the previous three quarters of 2009, despite the financial crisis and H1N1 Influenza, Chinese tourism industry managed to maintain the favorable growth. In 2009 Q1-Q3, the number of domestic tourists in China totaled 1.45 billion, 11% increase over the same period of 2008; the income from domestic tourism came up to CNY 740 billion, 10% growth over the same period of 2008. In 2009 Q1-Q3, the number of tourists from abroad amounted to 94 million, dropping by 3% YOY; the foreign exchange earnings from inbound tourism reached CNY 28 billion, falling by 7% YOY. In the previous three quarters of 2009, the number of outbound tourists in China was 35 million, 2.4% increase over the same period of 2008. Presently, Chinese tourism industry is under full recovery with the improved operation status, stable tourism employment and active tourism investment.

 

On one hand, the financial crisis has narrowed down the global demand, impeding the development of Chinese tourism industry; on the other hand, Chinese tourism industry still faces favorable development opportunities and environment. Therefore, Chinese inbound tourism can maintain stable and healthy development. Moreover, with the increase in urban and rural residents¡¯ incomes, the domestic consumption demand for tourism is quite high.

 

On Dec. 1^st, 2009, the Opinions of the State Council on Accelerating the Development of Tourism Industry was released, proposing to cultivate Chinese tourism industry into the strategic and pillar industry in the national economy for the first time. This will bring about new development opportunities for Chinese tourism industry. It is forecast that Chinese tourism industry will restore prominently in 2010 with the industrial growth rate of 16.50%.

 

Despite the financial crisis and HIN1 Influenza, Chinese inbound tourism market is expected to enjoy prosperity in 2010. Compared with outbound tourism, Chinese inbound tourism has not been influenced obviously by external factors. In the opposite, many tourists originally planning for outbound tourism have changed to inbound tourism, further propelling Chinese domestic tourism market.

 

Furthermore, the World Expo Shanghai 2010 and Guangzhou Asian Games 2012, etc will provide unprecedented opportunities for the prosperity of Chinese tourism industry. Those heritages from Beijing Olympic Games and World Expo Shanghai, etc will attract large quantities of domestic and foreign tourists for a long period. 

 

According to professional predictions, by 2015, the number of Chinese domestic tourists will be 2.80 billion while the number of outbound tourists will reach 100 million. In 2015, the added value of Chinese tourism industry will total USD 282 billion, accounting for 11% in that of Chinese service industry and 4.8% in Chinese GDP. Based on this, it is predicted by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) that China will develop into the world Top inbound tourism receiving country and the fourth largest outbound tourism source country by 2015.

 

The report mainly focuses on:

Development of Chinese Inbound Tourism Industry, 2009

Overview of Inbound Foreign Tourists in China, 2009

Hot Events in Chinese Tourism Industry, 2009-2010

 

For more details of the report: http://www.shcri.com/reportdetail.asp?id=422