US media: Where have wealthy Chinese tourists gone during the epidemic?

Source: Global Times

CNN Article, August 29, original title: Where China's wealthy tourists have gone during the epidemic For some time, wealthy Chinese tourists may not be able to easily travel internationally, but their own "backyard" is not short of attractive tourist destinations - the beaches of Sanya, the mountains of Yunnan, and the giant panda sanctuary in Sichuan.

A report by the China Tourism Research Institute estimates that the number of domestic tourists will be 4.1 billion in 2021, an increase of 42% over 2020; domestic tourism revenue will reach US$511 billion (3.3 trillion yuan), an increase of 48% year-on-year. According to the annual survey released by Hurun Report, the interest of high-net-worth individuals in domestic tourism increased by 31% year-on-year, with 44% of respondents saying they plan to increase tourism spending.

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With international travel still challenging, wealthy tourists are taking advantage of every opportunity to explore their home country. "Because China is vast, there are many different languages, cultures and foods – each place has its own characteristics, it's really diverse." Julie Howard, chief executive of a private jet charter service company in Hong Kong, said.

The preferred tourist destination is Hainan Island, known as the "Hawaii of China," where luxury resorts are plentiful, many of which are run by hotels of international brands. In second place is Yunnan, a mountainous region with ancient cities, forests and tea gardens. The third and fourth destinations are Tibet and Xinjiang, respectively. Tibet is renowned for its breathtaking Himalayan scenery, ancient monasteries and delicious cuisine. Xinjiang is the westernmost territory of China, famous for its ancient Silk Road trade and ethnic minority culture. Sichuan, known for its giant panda sanctuary, national parks and spicy cuisine, ranks fifth.

Ctrip said bookings for popular attractions such as Shanghai Disneyland, the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Great Wall have risen – destinations that offer easy and convenient travel, rich cultural experiences and top-notch accommodations, as well as the number of visitors to Guangzhou, Chongqing, Zhuhai, Dunhuang and Quanzhou, which unesco has identified as the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road.

The way wealthy Chinese tourists travel has also changed, with self-driving becoming the dominant mode of transportation in some areas. Many people fly to big cities first and then choose a popular self-driving route in the Southwest and Northwest. (Written by Kate Springer, translated by Kang Chen)