Chinese Premier Li Keqiang laid out in the 2016 government work report a series of efforts the country will make as it embraces an era of mass tourism.
In the report delivered at the fourth session of the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) Saturday, Li advocated establishing paid leave benefits, upgrading transportation, and optimizing tourism facilities like scenic spots and car-accessible camping grounds.
He also called for improved market regulation to prepare China for the ongoing growth of the tourism sector.
Li’s statements demonstrate the importance the Chinese government attaches to regulating the tourism market now that travelling is becoming a lifestyle of Chinese people. In 2015, the number of domestic trips taken exceeded 4 billion, creating over 4-trillion-yuan ($614.8 billion) in revenue for the industry.
In the era of mass tourism, the expansion of the tourism market is expected to stimulate economic growth and boost employment.
Despite this promising future, analysts believe more groundwork will be needed in China.
In past years, various negative stories within the sector, from unprofessional tourist guides to exorbitantly-priced seafood, have damaged the industry and caused dissatisfaction among the public.
With the determinated efforts of the central government, coupled with those of the public, China’s tourism industry is now entering a more mature phase.
