China Travel
News, January 2013
Keep putting the word out
about what we do, and
all that this wonderful country has to offer
CNTO Study on Tourism to China
China National Tourist Office (CNTO), through
PhoCusWright, fielded a survey of 30,513
individuals, targeting U.S. adults who have traveled
to Asia in the past two years or who are likely to
travel again in the next two years. As promised, we
will continue to share the results of this survey
over the course of this year. This month we focus on
factors of revisiting China.
Interpretation: Visiting
China is an overwhelmingly positive experience for
American travelers.Among past visitors to China who are
likely to visit again, 55% report enjoying their
previous trip(s) and wanting to repeat them, while 44%
would like to visit places they did not see on previous
trips
72-Hour Visa-Free Stay in Beijing and Shanghai
for American Travelers
Both Beijing and Shanghai have announced that, effective
January 1, 2013, transit passengers from the U.S. and
Canada will be permitted to stay in these cities for 72
hours without a visa. In Shanghai, transit passengers
holding third country visas and plane tickets can enter
Shanghai through the city’s two airports, Hongqiao (SHA)
and Pudong (PVG); in Beijing, transit passengers can
enter only through Beijing Capital International Airport
(PEK).
Recommend Features
China as a “Time Tested Destination” in January 2013
Issue
For over 43 years Recommend has
been helping travel agents sell travel by providing them
with in-depth destination and product information. Its
editors travel the globe previewing, reviewing, and
crafting experiential articles that make for some of the
most informative and engrossing destination content
available today. The January issue was no exception, as
they delved into the country of China. States Recommend,
“Of all the spots in the world that stimulate the
yearning for travel, China traditionally stands head and
shoulders as the premiere Asian destination since it
opened its gates 40 years ago. This comes as no
surprise, as it offers variety as wide as its borders
and allurements unlike anything on earth. It’s also not
surprising that travel agents consistently pick China as
their top-selling destination, constantly tweaking and
adjusting their menus to meet the rapid changes within
China.” A digital version of the entire article can be
found at: http://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/january2013/index.php?startid=110
World
Travel Market Ranks China as the Most Important Emerging
Economy for the Tourism Industry
The World Travel Market 2012 Industry Report asked 1,310
exhibitors and leading buyers from the Meridian Club to
rank the BRICS economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China
and South Africa) – in order of importance for both
inbound and outbound tourism. China was the most
important outbound market for 26% of the respondents,
and the second most important for a further 24%.
Furthermore, it also topped the tables for inbound
importance, reflecting a global interest in visiting
China. Some 28% felt that it was the most important
inbound market of the five, with 26% putting it in
second place.
40
Beautiful Places to Visit in China
CNN Travel has featured 40 of the most beautiful places
to visit in China. These are not the man-made
attractions that so many visitors flock to – these are
dynamic visual and geographical places that virtually
take your breath away. If you are planning a trip to
China, make sure and go beyond that Great Wall and delve
into some of these beautiful environs. http://travel.cnn.com/shanghai/life/40-beautiful-places-visit-china-943929
Upcoming Events in China
With
the Chinese New Year celebrated in February this year,
there is so much to see and do all over China. A festive
air envelops the whole country and we will list just a
few of the many activities, events and festivals that
you and your clients won’t want to miss!
February
2013 Nanjing International Plum Festival
Showcases the plum blossom garden on Purple
Mountain in the eastern part of Nanjing, and
nearby attractions such as the UNESCO World
Heritage Listed Ming Emperor Tombs, the Red
Chamber Artistic and Cultural Garden, and
the Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum. |
February
2013 Beijing Changdian Temple Fair (Beijing)
Strolling around the Chandian Temple Fair
during the Spring Festival has always been a
custom for Beijing people – it is not only a
party for the local snacks but also a party
for Chinese traditional culture show. Here,
tourists can enjoy the lion dance,
traditional flower fair, and folk handicraft
exhibition etc.
|
February
2013 Baiyun Temple Fair
The Baiyun Temple Fair is famous for its
popularity and its long duration. During the
Temple Fair, tourists can attend many folk
activities, enjoy the local snacks, folk
handicrafts, and exhibition of paintings. |
February
1, 2013 Mianzhu New Year Picture Festival
(Sichuan)
During the festival, an organized series of
acts and performances will be held, such as
the New Year Picture cruises, Spring
Festival performances, Folk sings and
dances, Dragon and lion dances etc.
|
February
15, 2012 Labrang Thangka Festival (Xiahe)
The Labrang Thangka Festival is an important
festival at the old Labrang Monastery that
was one of the six leading monasteries of
the Geluk tradition of Tibet. Every year,
warmly dressed people ascend to the
high-elevation monastery to pray and get
blessed. When the monks carry out the
thangka, thousands of people assemble in
front of the big slope and the vividly woven
thangka is displayed. It is a major
highlight of many a Tibetan Buddhists’ year.
|
February
24, 2013 Qinhuai International Lantern
Festival (Nanjing)
In 2011, there were about 200 large and
medium sized lanterns displayed, and about
half a million people visited on the main
festival night. |
February
24 – 25, 2013 Chengdu Lantern Festival
(Chengdu)
During the Lantern Festival, the folk art
show and acrobatics are held in parks.
People can also have a taste of a variety of
local flavor snacks. |
Airline Partner News
Air
China to Launch Non-Stop Service Between Houston and
Beijing
Starting July 11, 2013, Air China will commence
4-times-weekly service between Houston’s George Bush
Airport (IAH) and Beijing, China (PEK). In 2011, an
estimated 77,000 passengers travelled between
Houston and mainland China, up 6.8 per cent on the
previous year and more than double the figure from
just five years ago.
Culture Corner
Chinese
New Year is called Lunar New Year because the
holiday begins on the first day of the lunar
calendar. It is considered the beginning of spring,
so it is also called Spring Festival. Chinese people
celebrate the 15-day holidays with most activities
taking place the day before (New Year's Eve), the
first day (New Year's Day) and the last day (Lantern
Festival), when families have reunion meals with
traditional Chinese food such as dumplings and Tang
Yuan (black sesame rice ball soup), among other
delicacies.
According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2013 is the Year of
the Snake signifies steady progress and attention to
detail. The Snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese
Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal Signs. It is the
intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of
the Animals Signs. Ancient Chinese wisdom says a
Snake in the house is a good omen because it means
that your family will not starve.
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