China’s Travel Economy Is Slowly Coming Back. Here’s Where It Stands.
China's Travel Economy Is Slowly Coming Back. Here's Where It Stands. The New York Times
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China’s International Travel Still Lagging Behind Domestic Travel
Summary
Over a year after China opened its borders following the pandemic, international trips are still lagging, although domestic travel is more popular.
Since China reopened its borders in 2023 after three years of Covid isolation, domestic travel has thrived and high-speed rail has grown increasingly popular. But international trips in and out of the country are lagging, and flight capacity is still just two-thirds of prepandemic levels.
The economic stakes are high. Before the pandemic, Chinese travelers were the world’s biggest spenders, accounting for 20 percent of global tourism spending, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
In the past year, the Chinese authorities have tried to spur more inbound travel. Among the changes: China has waived travel visas or agreed to extend the length of visa-free travel for visitors from eight countries, including Germany and France.
The main factor holding back international travel by Chinese will continue to be China’s economy. Growth has bounced back from the pandemic, but the weight of a severe real estate downturn has dampened consumer spending and confidence inside China. And global geopolitical tensions remain a wild card. China is engaged in trade disputes with the United States and Europe, home to many major multinational companies. As they think twice about their business in China, travel suffers.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Actions Taken to Promote Inbound Travel
- China waived travel visas for visitors from eight countries, including Germany and France.
- China agreed to extend the length of visa-free travel for visitors from eight countries, including Germany and France.
Challenges for International Travel in China
- The Chinese economy, including a severe real estate downturn, dampens consumer spending and confidence.
- Global geopolitical tensions, such as trade disputes with the United States and Europe, impact travel decisions.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
- Indicator 8.9.2: Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate.
The article mentions the economic stakes of international travel in China. Before the pandemic, Chinese travelers were the world’s biggest spenders, contributing significantly to global tourism spending. The target 8.9 aims to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products, which aligns with the economic impact of international travel mentioned in the article. The indicator 8.9.2 measures the contribution of tourism to the GDP, which is relevant to assessing the progress towards this target.
-
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
- Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of yearly income earned in country of destination.
The article mentions China’s efforts to spur more inbound travel by waiving travel visas or extending visa-free travel for visitors from certain countries. This aligns with the target 10.7, which aims to facilitate safe and responsible migration and mobility of people. The indicator 10.7.1 measures the recruitment cost borne by employees as a proportion of their yearly income in the destination country, which is relevant to assessing the progress towards this target.
-
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
- Indicator 12.8.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment.
The article mentions the impact of China’s economy and geopolitical tensions on international travel. These factors highlight the need for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature, as mentioned in target 12.8. The indicator 12.8.1 measures the extent to which global citizenship education and education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in national education policies, curricula, teacher education, and student assessment, which is relevant to assessing progress towards this target.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products. | Indicator 8.9.2: Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies. | Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of yearly income earned in country of destination. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature. | Indicator 12.8.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment. |
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Source: nytimes.com
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