China earned 1.55 trillion yuan ($234.8 billion) in tourism revenues last year, an increase of 20 percent year on year, as the industry rid itself of the shadow of the global financial crisis.
Further, some 2.1 billion domestic trips were made, up 11 percent from one year ago, according to figures released by the National Tourism Administration (NTA).
Those trips generated 1.25 trillion yuan in revenues.
Inbound trips increased 6 percent year on year to 134 million, producing revenues of $45 billion.
Shao Qiwei, director of NTA, said China’s tourism industry had embraced a …

Harbin, Hangzhou, Huangshan, Jinan, Kashgar, Lijiang Naxi Autonomous County, Luoyang, Sanya, Suzhou and Xi’an have been voted as the Top 10 tourist cities of China.
The online selection event, known as “2010 Chinese City Rankings – Top Chinese Tourist Cities,” concluded Tuesday, with 10 cities winning the honors. Out of more than 80 cities that were nominated, these cities bagged the highest number of online votes to be ranked as the top Chinese Tourist Cities.
“We organized the event with the aim of giving the world an opportunity to understand China. This …

Interview with Australian Ambassador Dr. Geoff Raby on Chinese Tourist Cities
Reporter:
As an old friend of Chinese people who first visited China in 1986, which Chinese city has made the deepest impression on you? What are the most popular Chinese cities for Australians?

Dr. Geoff Raby:
It’s a difficult question to answer. I like many Chinese cities. What I appreciate is the uniqueness of different Chinese cities. The ones I have been to, the most，would be Qingdao, Shanghai, Wuhan, Dalian and Harbin.

I have to say I like the cities on the coast because …

To promote the “Beautiful Beijing and Charming Winter” initiative, the Beijing Tourism Administration (BTA) will give out 100,000 free entrance tickets for scenic spots to Hong Kong residents in order to encourage them to visit Beijing, according to the Hong Kong Association of China Travel Organizers, Ltd. (HACTO) on Nov. 30.
Hong Kong residents may log on to visitbeijing.com to register and seek the opportunities to win free entrance tickets from Dec. 6 to Dec. 15.
As one of the focuses for the development of Beijing’s tourism industry, Beijing’s winter tourist products …

If you’re in China, you may not have to go to Hong Kong to get your duty free cosmetics and liquor anymore. Hainan Island, a popular tourist destination in Southern China, is continuing efforts to transform itself into a top international tourist Mecca.
A local official says the policy is expected to take effect in 2011. Under it, tourists who make purchases in Haikou, Sanya, Bo’ao and Wanning will receive tax rebates when leaving the province. Plans are underway to build expansive duty-free malls to attract world-renowned brands. The policy is …

The Hong Kong Tourism Commission and The HK Travel Industry Council have announced they will comprehensively supervise the region’s inbound travel services.
Philip WH YUNG, JP, Hong Kong’s Commissioner for Tourism, told local media that The Travel Industry Council has set up a special team to review various operational aspects of packaged tours from mainland China. Yung said that the SAR government will coordinate the process and work with the mainland’s tourism departments on the issue.
Yung stressed that most travel professionals in Hong Kong provide a good service. He said that …