Experts push leisure as travel component
About 100 experts in the tourism industry and people in charge of famous domestic scenic spots gathered recently in Beijing for the 2014 Forum of the Development of Leisure Industry, held by the China Tourism Leisure Association.
In August, the State Council issued a document to promote reforms and development of the tourism industry. The goal is that by 2020, overall consumption from domestic tourism will be 5,500 billion yuan ($884 billion), Chinese urban and rural residents will go on a tour 4.5 times per year, and the added value of the tourism industry will account for more than 5 percent of the gross domestic product.
The keynote speakers discussed how to achieve these goals, the ways to stimulate the domestic tourism industry, and how tourism industry can improve the economy of central and western China.
According to Wang Jieping, president of Wuxi Tourism Association, leisure is a kind of lifestyle, and the tourism industry should be aware of tourists' demand of enjoyment and slow pace of life, and a personalized and in-depth tour experience. It's important to create new products to cater for their needs.
"The domestic industry market has undertaken fast development in the past 10 years and will continue to grow in the next decade, such as in the number of travelers, consumption per person and overall income of tourism consumption," said Hu Tenghe, general manager of CITIC Private Equity Funds Management Co Ltd.
"The field of leisure vocations will increase faster than traditional tourism, and it is worthy of investment," he said.
Wei Xiao'an, secretary general of China Tourism Leisure Association, summarized that it's urgent for the tourism industry to change its development patterns and tourism products ought to shift to sightseeing, leisure and vacation, with a focus on the diverse demands of tourists.
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