China Poised to Become the World’s Leading Tourist Destination 中国有望成为世界主要旅游目的地

In recent years, China has emerged as a top contender in the global tourism market, attracting millions of visitors from around the world. This surge in tourism is not only a testament to China’s strategic policies but also to its rich cultural heritage, rapid economic growth, and technological advancements. As countries around the globe compete to attract foreign tourists, China’s unique approach has set it apart, making it a formidable player in the tourism industry.

近年来，中国已成为全球旅游市场的主要竞争者，吸引了来自世界各地的数百万游客。旅游业的蓬勃发展不仅证明了中国的战略政策，也证明了中国丰富的文化遗产、快速的经济增长和技术进步。在全球各国竞相吸引外国游客之际，中国独特的方式使其脱颖而出，成为旅游业中一个令人敬畏的参与者。

Economic Growth and Modern Infrastructure 经济增长与现代基础设施

China’s impressive economic growth over the past few decades has significantly enhanced its appeal as a tourist destination. As the world’s second-largest economy, China has poured substantial resources into developing its infrastructure. High-speed trains, state-of-the-art airports, and an extensive public transportation network make traveling within China both convenient and enjoyable. The development of new hotels, resorts, and tourist attractions further enriches the visitor experience, offering modern comforts alongside historical wonders.

在过去的几十年里，中国令人印象深刻的经济增长大大增强了它作为旅游目的地的吸引力。作为世界第二大经济体，中国在发展基础设施方面投入了大量资源。高速列车、最先进的机场和广泛的公共交通网络使在中国旅行既方便又愉快。新的酒店、度假村和旅游景点的发展进一步丰富了游客的体验，在历史奇观的同时提供现代的舒适。

Rich Culture and Historical Heritage 丰富的文化和历史遗产

China’s cultural and historical richness is a major draw for tourists. The country boasts 55 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and the ancient city of Lijiang. These sites offer a window into China’s ancient civilization, attracting history buffs and cultural enthusiasts from across the globe. Moreover, traditional festivals like Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Dragon Boat Festival provide unique cultural experiences that captivate foreign visitors, adding an extra layer of allure to their travels.

中国丰富的文化和历史是吸引游客的主要原因。中国拥有55处联合国教科文组织世界遗产，如长城、兵马俑和丽江古城。这些遗址为了解中国古代文明提供了一个窗口，吸引了来自世界各地的历史爱好者和文化爱好者。此外，中国新年、中秋节和端午节等传统节日提供了独特的文化体验，吸引了外国游客，为他们的旅行增添了额外的吸引力。

Emerging Global Power 新兴的全球力量

China’s rise as an emerging global power has piqued international curiosity. Its growing influence in global politics, economics, and technology has made it a fascinating destination for many who wish to witness its transformation firsthand. Major events like the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou have showcased China’s ability to host international events, further solidifying its status as a premier global destination.

中国作为一个新兴的全球大国的崛起激起了国际社会的好奇心。中国在全球政治、经济和科技领域日益增长的影响力，使其成为许多希望亲眼目睹其转型的人的向往之地。北京2022年冬奥会和杭州2023年亚运会等大型赛事展示了中国举办国际赛事的能力，进一步巩固了中国作为全球首选目的地的地位。

Visa Relaxation Policies 签证放宽政策

One of the most significant factors contributing to the increase in tourism is China’s relaxed visa policies. From January to June 2024, over 8.5 million visa-free entries were recorded, marking a 190% increase compared to the previous year. This surge underscores the effectiveness of China’s new visa policies in making the country more accessible to international visitors. The expanded visa-free transit policy, allowing citizens from 54 countries to stay visa-free for up to 144 hours in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, has been particularly successful. Between January and June 2024, 33,700 travelers took advantage of this policy, a sevenfold increase from the previous year.

促成旅游业增长的最重要因素之一是中国宽松的签证政策。2024年1月至6月，免签证入境人数超过850万人次，同比增长190%。这一激增凸显了中国新签证政策的有效性，使国际游客更容易进入中国。扩大后的过境免签政策尤其成功，允许来自54个国家的公民在北京和上海等城市免签证停留长达144小时。在2024年1月至6月期间，有33,700名游客利用了这一政策，比去年增加了七倍。

China has also signed visa waiver agreements with over 40 countries, including reciprocal arrangements with more than 20 nations. Recent additions to this program include countries like New Zealand, Australia, and Poland. Furthermore, a one-year trial of visa-free travel for citizens of several European countries and Malaysia has been extended to include more countries such as Ireland, Switzerland, and Belgium. These measures reflect China’s commitment to making travel easier and more attractive for international visitors.

中国还与40多个国家签署了免签证协议，其中包括与20多个国家的互惠安排。最近加入该计划的国家包括新西兰、澳大利亚和波兰。此外，对几个欧洲国家和马来西亚公民为期一年的免签旅行试验已扩大到包括更多国家，如爱尔兰、瑞士和比利时。这些措施反映了中国致力于让旅游更便捷、更吸引国际游客的决心。

Technological Advancements 技术进步

China’s technological advancements have played a crucial role in enhancing the tourist experience. With over 80% of daily transactions occurring on mobile platforms, the country’s transition to a cashless society has been swift. Services like WeChat Pay and Alipay have enabled the linking of foreign Visa and Mastercard bank cards, allowing international travelers to navigate China’s virtually cashless society with ease. This innovation ensures that tourists can enjoy the convenience of digital payments without the hassle of currency exchange or carrying large amounts of cash.

中国的科技进步在提升游客体验方面发挥了至关重要的作用。超过80%的日常交易发生在移动平台上，该国向无现金社会的过渡非常迅速。微信支付(WeChat Pay)和支付宝(Alipay)等服务已经实现了外国Visa卡和万事达(Mastercard)银行卡的连接，让国际游客能够轻松地在中国这个几乎无现金的社会中穿行。这一创新确保游客可以享受数字支付的便利，而无需货币兑换或携带大量现金。

Comparison with Other Countries 与其他国家比较

Many countries are actively working to attract foreign tourists to boost their economies. Nations like Thailand, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates have implemented various strategies to lure visitors. Thailand, for example, promotes its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and rich cultural experiences. Japan entices tourists with its unique blend of tradition and modernity, offering everything from ancient temples to cutting-edge technology. The UAE, particularly Dubai, attracts visitors with its luxurious shopping, world-class entertainment, and iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa.

许多国家都在积极吸引外国游客以促进经济发展。泰国、日本和阿拉伯联合酋长国等国家已经实施了各种策略来吸引游客。例如，泰国以其美丽的海滩、充满活力的夜生活和丰富的文化体验而闻名。日本以其独特的传统与现代的融合吸引着游客，从古老的寺庙到尖端的科技，应有尽有。阿联酋，尤其是迪拜，以其奢华的购物场所、世界级的娱乐场所和哈利法塔等标志性建筑吸引着游客。

While these countries have their unique attractions and have successfully drawn large numbers of tourists, China’s multifaceted approach gives it a competitive edge. The combination of economic growth, cultural richness, global influence, and strategic visa policies creates a compelling narrative that appeals to a broad spectrum of international visitors.

虽然这些国家都有其独特的吸引力，并成功地吸引了大量游客，但中国的多方面做法使其具有竞争优势。经济增长、文化丰富、全球影响力和战略性签证政策的结合，创造了一个引人注目的叙事，吸引了广泛的国际游客。

Economic Impact of Tourism 旅游业的经济影响

The global tourism and travel industry is a significant economic driver, contributing $9.9 trillion to the global GDP in 2023. This figure is projected to grow to $11.1 trillion in 2024 and $16 trillion by 2034. In China, tourism contributed around 8% to the GDP in 2023, with total tourism revenue reaching 4.91 trillion yuan ($677 billion). While this is still below the pre-pandemic level of 6.63 trillion yuan in 2019, the growth rate in the first half of this year indicates that total revenue for 2024 could exceed the 2019 levels.

全球旅游业是一个重要的经济驱动力，到2023年将为全球GDP贡献9.9万亿美元。到2024年，这一数字预计将增长到11.1万亿美元，到2034年将增长到16万亿美元。2023年，中国旅游业对GDP的贡献率约为8%，旅游总收入达到4.91万亿元人民币(合6770亿美元)。虽然这仍低于2019年疫情前6.63万亿元的水平，但今年上半年的增长速度表明，2024年的总收入可能会超过2019年的水平。

According to Morgan Stanley, inbound tourism revenue in China is expected to rise from $77 billion in 2019 to $431 billion by 2033. China’s share of global tourism is projected to increase from 2.4% in 2019 to 6% by 2033. The contribution of inbound tourism to China’s GDP is anticipated to quadruple, increasing from just under 1% to 4%. For comparison, France, the current world leader in international tourism, generated $71 billion in international tourism revenue in 2019, contributing around 8% to its GDP.

据摩根士丹利(Morgan Stanley)称，到2033年，中国入境旅游收入预计将从2019年的770亿美元增至4310亿美元。到2033年，中国在全球旅游业中的份额预计将从2019年的2.4%增加到6%。入境旅游对中国GDP的贡献预计将翻两番，从不到1%增长到4%。相比之下，法国目前在国际旅游业方面处于世界领先地位，2019年国际旅游收入为710亿美元，占其GDP的8%左右。

The influx of foreign tourists is also expected to create up to 35 million jobs in China’s tourism sector over the next decade, equivalent to 5% of current total employment. This job creation will boost productivity and consumption, supporting the government’s efforts to revitalize the economy.

预计未来10年，外国游客的涌入还将为中国旅游业创造多达3500万个就业岗位，相当于目前总就业人数的5%。创造就业机会将促进生产力和消费，支持政府振兴经济的努力。

Future Prospects 未来前景

China’s proactive visa-free policy is a clear indicator of the country’s commitment to opening up further and facilitating tourism. This policy not only stimulates economic growth but also promotes cultural exchanges, allowing the world to experience the rich heritage and modern advancements of China.

中国积极的免签证政策是中国进一步开放和促进旅游业发展的明确标志。这一政策不仅刺激了经济增长，而且促进了文化交流，让世界体验到中国丰富的遗产和现代的进步。

Since the early 1980s, when China embarked on its reform and opening-up journey, tourism has become an integral part of the economy. The rise of a thriving middle-income group and the easing of travel restrictions for both Chinese citizens and foreign visitors have driven the rapid growth of inbound and outbound tourism. While China already leads in outbound tourism, the next milestone is to become the most visited destination globally. With strategic measures and a welcoming approach, China is well on its way to achieving this goal.

自20世纪80年代初中国开始改革开放以来，旅游业已成为中国经济的重要组成部分。中等收入群体的崛起，以及对中国公民和外国游客旅游限制的放松，推动了入境和出境旅游的快速增长。虽然中国已经在出境游方面处于领先地位，但下一个里程碑是成为全球访问量最大的目的地。中国正以战略举措和欢迎态度朝着这一目标迈进。

China is not solely focused on attracting foreign tourists for economic benefits; it also views tourism as a powerful means to foster people-to-people connections, promote mutual understanding, and harmonize diverse nations and cultures. By encouraging tourism, China aims to use this exchange as a tool to build global peace, enhance security, and contribute to worldwide prosperity. The country sees the influx of international visitors as an opportunity to break down cultural barriers and cultivate a sense of shared humanity, ultimately paving the way for a more cohesive and stable global community.

中国不仅仅是为了经济利益而吸引外国游客;它还将旅游业视为促进人与人之间联系、促进相互了解、促进不同国家和文化和谐相处的有力手段。通过鼓励旅游业，中国的目标是利用这种交流作为建立全球和平、加强安全、促进世界繁荣的工具。该国将国际游客的涌入视为打破文化障碍、培养共同人性的机会，最终为建立一个更有凝聚力、更稳定的全球社区铺平道路。

China’s blend of rapid economic growth, rich cultural heritage, emerging global power status, relaxed visa policies, and technological advancements make it an unparalleled tourist destination. As more countries vie for the attention of international travelers, China’s multifaceted approach and significant investments in tourism infrastructure position it as the front-runner. The country’s efforts to attract foreign tourists not only boost the economy but also foster greater cultural exchange and understanding, making China a must-visit destination for travelers worldwide.

快速的经济增长、丰富的文化遗产、新兴的全球大国地位、宽松的签证政策和科技进步使中国成为一个无与伦比的旅游目的地。随着越来越多的国家争夺国际游客的注意力，中国在旅游基础设施方面的多面性和大量投资使其成为领跑者。中国吸引外国游客的努力不仅促进了经济发展，还促进了文化交流和理解，使中国成为世界各地游客必去的目的地。

(  注意： 本文是用AI翻译的，或有误差。请以原版英文为准。谢谢。)