Global tourism recovers steadily and China’s visa-free policy is well received
“Looking forward to China injecting more impetus into the development of world tourism” (International Perspective)
Reporter Yan Huan
On January 28, local time, the 5-day 44th Madrid International Tourism Fair concluded in Madrid, the capital of Spain, with 806 exhibitors and more than 9,000 companies from 152 countries and regions participating. According to the organizer, this exhibition attracted more than 150,000 industry insiders and about 100,000 visitors. Participants focused on topics such as global tourism innovation and sustainable development, shared new trends and developments in the industry, spoke positively of China's recent visa-free policy for many countries, and looked forward to China injecting more impetus into the development of global tourism.
Innovation and sustainability become hot topics
According to exhibition director Maria Balcarce, this exhibition has a total of 10 themed exhibition areas including technology, film and television, exhibitions, and cruise ships, presenting the latest achievements in the tourism industry in the form of special topics, emphasizing the promotion of innovation and sustainable development of the global tourism industry.
When you walk into Hall 4 of the Madrid Convention and Exhibition Center, you will see a huge display screen playing a Portuguese tourism promotional video, in which the blue water rushes into the distance. The back of the screen reads: "For a better planet, better tourism." Portugal Tourism Bureau consultant Montero said that Portugal hopes to show the world its rich marine tourism resources.
In recent years, "blue tourism" such as island tours, cruise tours, and coastal tours have become one of the popular routes in the tourism industry and a highlight of this exhibition. According to the organizer, "Blue Tourism" aims to improve and enrich tourists' travel experience through technological innovation in marine tourism infrastructure such as ports and cruise ships, while also better protecting the marine environment and promoting the development of marine tourism in a more sustainable direction. .
On the first day of the exhibition, the Port of Vigo in northwest Spain announced a new strategy to promote port tourism, including the creation of a new underwater and sea observation deck, whose energy consumption is mainly provided by solar energy. At the same time, the project will also provide support for research on marine life and protection of coastal fish stocks.
As a sports powerhouse, Spain has specially launched a sports exhibition area at this exhibition to tap the potential of sports tourism. The Formula One world championship (F1) has announced that it will return to Madrid in 2026 and will build a semi-urban street circuit around the Madrid Convention and Exhibition Center. Compared with a permanent track, its carbon emissions will be reduced by more than half.
"This will be one of the most convenient and environmentally friendly competition venues in the world, reflecting the future development trend of sports and tourism." Ayuso, chairman of the Madrid Autonomous Region, said that whether traveling from the airport or from the center of Madrid, tourists You can reach the venue within 15 minutes by public transportation. The stadium is built using advanced technology and is equipped with a 160-hectare park green space, reflecting the concept of sustainable development. The event is expected to attract 85,000 tourists to Madrid each year, bring in more than 450 million euros in revenue, and create more than 8,200 jobs.
Tourism industry has strong confidence in recovery
The "World Tourism Barometer" recently released by the United Nations Tourism Organization shows that by the end of 2023, the international tourism industry has recovered to 88% of pre-COVID-19 levels, and international tourists are expected to reach 1.3 billion. According to preliminary estimates, international tourism revenue will reach US$1.4 trillion in 2023, equivalent to 93% of 2019. The annual tourism contribution to the global economy will be US$3.3 trillion, accounting for approximately 3% of global gross domestic product.
Data shows that the number of international tourists in some tourist destinations will see double-digit growth in 2023 compared with 2019. Among them, the number of arrivals in regions such as the Caribbean, Central America and North Africa exceeded the 2019 level. With the vigorous development of the international tourism industry, the international tourism industry is expected to fully return to pre-epidemic levels this year, with initial estimates of growth of 2% compared with 2019. The latest Tourism Confidence Index survey from the United Nations Tourism Organization shows that 67% of tourism professionals surveyed said that the prospects for the industry will be better or much better in 2024 compared with 2023.
During the exhibition, the World Tourism Cities Federation also held a themed forum on "New Development of China's Inbound and Outbound Tourism Market". Participants shared their prospects for China's inbound and outbound tourism market and conducted in-depth discussions on how to develop the Chinese market and attract Chinese tourists. Discuss. The "World Tourism Barometer" pointed out that the recovery and development of China's tourism market has injected impetus into the recovery of the global tourism market. China's outbound and inbound tourism markets are expected to develop rapidly in 2024 due to visa facilitation and increased air transport capacity. Driven by this, the Asian tourism market will usher in a stronger recovery.
"We look forward to China injecting more impetus into the development of world tourism." Andrés Santamaria, director of the Tourism Bureau of Bogota, Colombia, said that he hopes that more flights will be opened between Latin America and China in the future to promote tourist exchanges between the two sides. He also looks forward to Continue to carry out regional forums and tourism fairs with relevant Chinese institutions and departments to strengthen cooperation in the tourism industry between the two sides and jointly promote the recovery of the tourism industry.
"Now that Chinese tourists are back, people also want to travel to China. China is very worth visiting." Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the United Nations Tourism Organization, said that the Chinese market will restore the world tourism industry to its pre-COVID-19 level in 2024. level contribution.
Looking forward to strengthening tourism cooperation with China
At a prominent position in the main channel outside the convention and exhibition center, a billboard with the national tourism image "Hello! China" is eye-catching. In the center of Hall 6, the China booth with the "Hello! China" tourism image as its main visual area was crowded with visitors who came to consult. The Chinese booth has a total area of 130 square meters and consists of 12 booths from multiple Chinese provinces and cities, airlines and tourism companies, displaying a variety of Chinese tourism products and travel routes.
Recently, China, Singapore, and China and Thailand signed mutual visa exemption agreements for ordinary passport holders; China announced that it would grant unilateral visa exemption to Switzerland and Ireland. Since December 1 last year, China has implemented a unilateral visa-free entry policy for six countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. China's move has received great attention and positive comments from the tourism industry.
Agustina Galleto, who is engaged in the tourism industry in Spain, rushed from Barcelona to the Madrid Convention and Exhibition Center early in the morning to find partners to launch group travel business to China. "After the visa-free policy was announced, Spanish tourists have successively asked me about related services." Garido said that the original fee for applying for a Chinese visa was about 150 euros, and tourists had to register at least two weeks in advance. Now they can register "until the last minute" Traveling to China has greatly increased people’s interest in travel.
Spanish tourism industry professionals also hope that more Chinese tourists will visit Spain. According to data from the Spanish National Tourism Administration, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Spain in the first half of 2023 increased by 420% year-on-year, and their consumption increased by 592%. With the resumption of more flights between China, the West, and Central Europe, the Spanish tourism industry is looking forward to further strengthening its ties with China. Tourism cooperation.
Natalia Bayonne, Executive Director of the United Nations Tourism Organization, said that China’s visa-free policy shows China’s trust and confidence in the world tourism industry and will help promote the recovery of the world tourism industry. "China continues to enhance the competitiveness of its tourism industry by strengthening infrastructure construction and occupying a place in the world's tourism industry. Under China's leadership, the Asian tourism market has great potential, and the vigorous development of China's tourism industry will also drive the common prosperity of the tourism industry in neighboring countries. ." (People's Daily, Madrid, January 29)