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Structural changes stirring in the Chinese travel market for more than a decade are about to unleash a new generation of travelers both within China and across the rest of Asia says Asia Pacific’s leading travel facilitator, Abacus International.
The company’s President and CEO Don Birch said that the new generation of Chinese travellers will throw a huge challenge to the local and regional travel industry in terms of everything from travel infrastructure, to product development and even the cultural issues associated with mass tourism.
“The full extent of pending change has not been obvious to the Asian travel industry, because of China’s relative isolation until the last few years and many changes have occurred behind partially closed doors. As China’s push for a more open economy continues, the rest of Asia will begin to experience many of the same benefits and pressures that make Chinese travel such a remarkable story,” Mr Birch said.
“China-driven travel growth provides an excellent opportunity for forward-thinking private operators, National Tourism Organisations and Governments to work together to plan and invest in infrastructure, and ensure the quality of current and future experiences and attractions through their joint actions.”
“The Chinese have been busy exploring both their mammoth country and venturing overseas, and more people are visiting China for various reasons,” Mr Birch said.
As Asia’s major economic power, China has climbed from fifth to fourth place in the World Tourism Organisation’s rankings since 2002, with tourism accounting for over 5% of its GDP in 2005 or 5.5% of the world’s total travel and tourism industry.
Besides generating an expected value of US$354 billion of economic activity in 2006, China’s tourism industry has catalysed the country’s development, driving many major infrastructure and transportation initiatives, particularly in Beijing and Shanghai.
Capital investments in the tourism sector were estimated to be US$100 billion in 2006 according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. For example, in a clear indication of faith in China, Disney has submitted a proposal to construct one of its famed theme parks in Shanghai which will initially occupy 4.25 square kilometres, expanding to 10 square kilometres in the second phase, with the US$3.8 billion project expected to open in time for the Shanghai World Expo in 2010.
Boeing expects Chinese carriers to take delivery of over 2,600 airplanes in the next 20 years, more than tripling the current size of their combined airfleet, while China’s main airport hubs in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have embarked on privatisation plans to expand their capacity to cater for an increasing number of travellers.
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