• China Travel Trends Guide 2012

    May 10, 2012
    China Travel Trends Guide 2012

    Beijing: A new travel industry book will make it easier for businesses to understand China’s consumers, particularly their travel preferences and the latest social, economic and digital trends in a highly complex, fast-moving market.

    The “Essential China Travel Trends Guide – 2012 Year of the Dragon Edition,” includes articles on Outbound Tourism, Luxury Travel, Tour Operation, Chinese Consumers, Customer Satisfaction, Internet and Social Media, Mobile Marketing, Hotel Regulation, Hotel Profitability, MICE, Green Tourism, Aviation, Human Resources, and Emerging Cities.

    The publication was published by ChinaTravelTrends.com, and produced by Dragon Trail Interactive in collaboration with COTRI and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Its authors include experts from the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), the China Tourism Academy, Dragon Trail, the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute, PATA China, Horwath HTL, Jones Lang LaSalle, UBM Aviation, GreenEarth.travel, Vari Arts Travel Group, TUI China, World Travel Monitor, Hurun Report, and Portfolio.

    “The guide is designed to de-mystify some of the trends and issues international travel companies face when entering the Chinese market and looking to attract Chinese consumers,”, said Jens Thraenhart, publisher of China Travel Trends, co-founder of Dragon Trail, and Chair of PATA China and the PATA Technology Innovation Council.

    The 2012 Dragon Edition follows on from the acclaimed first edition of the “Essential China Travel Trends Guide – 2010 Year of the Tiger Edition”. The 2012 edition is endorsed by leading travel authorities such as CNTA, UNWTO, WTTC, PATA, IATA, IH-RA, DMAI, HSMAI, ATME, HFTP, IFITT, ETC, AH&LA, MTCO, ATTA, and ICTP.

    Michael Gehrisch, CEO of the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) writes in the book: “This guide gives an in depth look at the shift of China travel trends, and how DMOs and travel companies can use these trends while developing and executing strategies for the various segments and different demographics.”

    In his preface of the booklet, Mr Zhu Shanzhong, Vice Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), writes: “Tourism is playing a major role in driving the national economy while enhancing friendship between China and the world. The booklet helps to promote an in-depth understanding of China’s latest tourism trends.”

    According to Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), “China is expected to become the leading international tourism destination and the fourth largest outbound market in the next decade. China has become a leading example for many countries around the world in upgrading its tourism.”

    Tony Tyler, CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) points out that by 2015, one out of every seven journeys by air will be related to China.

    The “Essential China Travel Trends – Dragon Edition” e-book is available for exclusive download at www.ChinaTravelTrendsBook.com, and the print book will be available for sale via the PATA e-Store from June 1 at a special price of €20 for PATA members, as well as at tourism events worldwide. Part of the profit supports the “Save the Panda” initiative. Readers are encouraged to donate via the book website.

    The new book was formally launched at the 24th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Asia Pacific in Chiang Mai, Thailand on May 4, which was attended by senior tourism officials and ministers from 19 Asian countries, who received a print pre-view copy.

    Martin Craigs, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) said: “China is fast moving, ever changing, and very complex. Its online digital landscape is dominated by domestic social media brands that attract over 500 million Internet users. The new publication offers invaluable insights. It will help build companies’ businesses that wish to benefit from high-spending Chinese tourists.”

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      India announced  that it will open tourist visa applications to Chinese citizens from July 24, 2025. It was the first time in five years since the South Asian country suspended Chinese citizens’ tourist visa applications in February 2020.

      The Embassy of India in China announced via its Sina Weibo account  that, starting from July 24, 2025, Chinese citizens can apply for a tourist visa to visit India after completing an online application, scheduling an appointment, and personally submitting their passport and other required documents to three Indian visa application centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in South China’s Guangdong Province.

      Responding to the related inquiry, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said  that “we take note of this positive move. Easing cross-border travel is widely beneficial. China will maintain communication and consultation with India to further facilitate travel between the two countries.”

      Chinese experts said the latest move taken by the India marks a phased milestone in the easing of relations between the two countries, and creates favorable conditions for further strengthening bilateral people-to-people exchanges.

      On February 2, 2020, India temporarily suspended its e-visa facility for Chinese travelers and foreigners residing in China amid coronavirus outbreak. – Global Times

      Trump to pause anti-immigrant

      raids in hotels , restaurants

      US President Donald Trump has decided to temporarily suspend raids on farms, hotels and restaurants, according a media report.

      The US government has ordered immigration officials to pause raids and arrests on farms, hotels and restaurants, according to a report by the New York Times.

      Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were sent a directive asking that they refrain from heading to such establishments, which also include meatpacking plants and aquaculture.

      Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the report, saying in a statement that “we will follow the president’s direction and continue to get the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens off America’s streets.”

      The pause in the raids potentially reflects the government’s concerns about the negative impact these operations are having on vital economic sectors, as well as electoral support. The agricultural industry, particularly in states like California, relies almost exclusively on immigrant labour for its day-to-day operations.

      The recent protests in Los Angeles, which were triggered by large-scale immigration raids in local communities, have increased pressure on the government. This situation poses a dilemma for the president, who is seeking to maintain the support of key constituencies ahead of the upcoming congressional and midterm elections in 2026.

      Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has implemented an unprecedentedly heavy-handed immigration policy. His cabinet officials recently held meetings with ICE leadership, setting a minimum quota of 3,000 arrests per day, a mandate that has resulted in intensified immigration raids nationwide.

      The temporary suspension of the agriculture and hospitality raids likely does not represent a fundamental change in Trump’s immigration policy, which remains aggressive in rhetoric.

      Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem pledhed that federal authorities are “not going away”, and that people who are in the country illegally, as well as violent protesters, will “face consequences”.

      The administration has relied heavily on a crime-focused message, which places significant emphasis on apprehending individuals illegally in the country who are also violent criminals.

      That message has been undercut, however, by statistics revealed this week which show the number of people arrested for immigration violations that have never faced other criminal charges or convictions has shot up from 860 in January this year to 7,800 this month.

      The number of individuals arrested with criminal charges and convictions also went up, but at a significantly lower rate of 91%. – Euronews , June 14, 2025

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      Dubai – As tourism destinations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) continue to grow, involving local communities in destination development has become increasingly vital for long-term success.

      Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims for 39.3 million visitors per year, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets 150 million domestic and international visits, emphasising how tourism is being established as a key element of economic diversification throughout the region.

      At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, industry leaders emphasised that sustainable revitalisation of destinations must align tourism investments with community partnerships, cultural authenticity, and immersive guest experiences to provide lasting value for both residents and visitors.

      During the session on “Considerations and Implications of Involving Communities in Destination Revitalisation” on the ATM 2025 Global Stage, experts shared insights into building resilience, enhancing local prosperity, and ensuring tourism growth is both inclusive and enduring.

      Arabian Travel Market 2025, held under the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”,  featured more than 200 speakers across three content stages and welcomes over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.

      Messe Berlin India launched 

      to drive growth of ITB India 

      Messe Berlin announces the official launch of Messe Berlin India, a newly incorporated subsidiary that underscores the company’s long-term commitment to one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets. Headquartered in Delhi , the new entity will serve as a strategic base for expanding ITB India and launching future projects tailored to the Indian market. With this establishment, Messe Berlin is reinforcing its vision of India as a regional hub for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable business growth within the exhibition and events industry.

      “Messe Berlin’s presence in India reflects our strategic intent to strengthen our international reach by being where the growth is. India is a key market for us — vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunities. With Messe Berlin India, we are laying down long-term foundations to build strong partnerships, support local industries, and elevate our global platforms,” said Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin.

      ITB India, inaugurated in 2023, continues as the flagship event under the new subsidiary. Held annually, ITB India is a three-day B2B travel trade show and convention that connects the global travel and tourism industry with the Indian market. Alongside MICE Show India, Travel Tech India, and the ITB India Conference, ITB India serves as a unique platform to forge new partnerships, strengthen existing ties, and capitalize on the fast-growing potential of the Indian and South Asian travel economies. The show hosts key players from the MICE, Leisure, Corporate Travel, and Travel Technology sectors. The upcoming edition, ITB India 2025, will take place from 2 – 4 September 2025  in Mumbai.

      FACTS —

      Tourism helps in:

      👉Reducing poverty

      👉Reducing Inequalities

      👉Promoting gender equality

      👉Fostering decent work and economic growth

      World Tourism Day 2021: ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’

      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
      -US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP
      -10.3% of global GDP
      -330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world
      -US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports,
      28.3% of global services exports)
      -US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total
      investment)