The 2008 China Travel Distribution & Technology Summit (CTD&TS), the country’s most important travel distribution conference has formed a marketing alliance with Web in Travel (WIT), Asia’s leading travel distribution, marketing, and technology conference. Both events will kick off two of the largest trade shows in Asia, the inaugural ITB Asia event in Singapore and the China International Travel Mart (CITM) in Shanghai in November. WIT and CTD&TS are supported by PhoCusWright, the travel industry research authority on how travelers, suppliers, and intermediaries connect. Read the rest of the article…
News on China and Chinese tourism
Industry insiders expect a boost in demand for outbound travel and overseas shopping with the continued appreciation of the Chinese Yuan against the American Dollar. Last April, the central parity rate of the Yuan versus the Dollar breached the psychological mark of 7 and has maintained its 6.98 standing for over a month. This translates to stronger purchasing power for Chinese travelers in the United States or in other countries and regions that peg their currency to the American Dollar. With the continual decline of the US dollar, analysts forecast the Chinese Yuan to appreciate further by at least 7% to 10%. Read the rest of the article…
The China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) presented the winners of the fifth Chinese Tourists Welcoming (CTW) Award 2008 during the China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market last April 14 in Beijing. The awards are given to international companies and organizations that provide excellent services and products for the growing Chinese outbound tourism market. With the growing number of Chinese tourists willing to pay for better service, according to Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt, the CTW Award helps them to identify the destinations and service providers that go the extra mile in catering to their specific needs and expectations. And with over 40 million departures in 2007, the Chinese market cannot be ignored, adds Arlt. Read the rest of the article…
Tourist attractions overseas have started to celebrate the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year holiday with unique decorations and practices to help create festivity and win the hearts of Chinese travelers, one of Asia’s largest sources of tourists. According to Asia Tourism Relations’ (ATR) managing director, Glen Hingley, this auspicious occasion is considered the most important holiday of the country and is a peak season for outbound travel after the Christmas and New Year break. Part of the preparations implemented include the adoption of more Mandarin-speaking guest services staff members, more Chinese food, traditional decorations and activities, as well as increased and flexible services and gifts. Read the rest of the article…
China (PRC) welcomed 131.9 million international arrivals in 2007 (preliminary estimate), an increase of 5.5% over 2006, while receipts saw growth of 23.5%, generating more than US$41.9 billion. For arrivals, this translates into an average annual growth rate of close to 7% since 2000; 9.5% since the SARS-induced trough of 2003. PATA forecasts continued growth in 2008 of 7-8%; an increase of more than 11 million international visitors in this Olympic year. Read the rest of the article…
BEIJIING | The Chinese government has launched an ambitious plan to build 97 regional airports by 2020 at an estimated cost of USD 62.5 billion in an attempt to meet soaring domestic passenger and cargo demand. London’s Financial Times says the cabinet has approved the plan in recent days, stipulating that 45 of the new airports are to be finished by the end of 2010. By the end of 2006, China had 147 civilian airports.
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Results of ChinaContact’s first ever global survey on the Chinese travel industry provides an overview of what international organizations have done and intend to do in preparation for the unquestionable growth of China’s outbound tourism. The survey aims to answer critical questions concerning effective sales and marketing strategies to China for the benefit of active and upcoming destinations. Read the rest of the article…
The Chinese government has scrapped one of the country’s three “golden week” holidays, the May Day Holiday, and introduced three one-day public holidays namely Tomb-Sweeping Day, the Dragonboat Festival, and the Mid Autumn Festival. The plan, to take effect on January 1st, increases the total number of holidays from the current 10 to 11. The government also intends to move national holidays adjacent to weekends in order to give citizens more flexibility. Read the rest of the article…
