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China to become world biggest tourist destination by 2015

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:30:48 +0000

Anyone who has been in a tourist sites such as the Forbidden City in the high September and October season won’t have much trouble believing that China is well on its way to becoming the world biggest tourist destination!

First posted in Xinhua: “SANYA, Hainan, March 21 (Xinhua) — A senior official with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said Sunday China is expected to become the world’s largest tourist destination by 2015.

“China, as we predict, is going to become the world’s No. 1 tourist destination by the year 2015,” said Taleb Rifai, secretary general of the UNWTO.

“China is almost there. It is now the world’s fourth largest destination when it comes to incoming tourists, and the rates of growth are moving so quickly that we think this is a realistic target,” Rifai said.

France is currently the country receiving the most international tourists, at 80 million per year, followed by the United States and Spain, both at 60 million a year, while China has about 48 million, he said.

“China’s tourism economy has moved incredibly in the last ten years. The number of incoming tourists rose from 8 million to 48 million. The potential of the growth is still big because of the size of China,” Rifai said.”

The photo below is one from the archives of the Summer Palace during National Day holidays in the late 1990s.

Best of China – Top Ten places for the first time visitor – Yangshuo…

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:20:01 +0000

Eighth in the series where we profile what we think are the top ten destinations for the first time visitor to see in China. Destinations are listed in no particular order, however, what do YOU think the top ten should be???

Beijing’s Forbidden City set to expand…

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:48:05 +0000

From the Beijinger:

“The Global Times recently reported a planned expansion of the areas of the Forbidden City open to tourists, from 30 percent to 70 percent of the complex’s total area. As well as opening up new areas of the City, the renovation aims to relieve congestion and stress on the current zones open to visitors.

According to the report the area of the Forbidden City open at present has an ideal daily capacity of approximately 30,000, yet the City sees as many as 130,000 visitors a day during peak tourist seasons. Overwhelming crowds has led to damage and general wear that many hope will be relieved with the opening of new sections within the walled City.

The expansion project marks the start of phase two of long-term renovations; the first phase began in 2002, continued for six-years and restored areas already open to the public. Beijingers may remember that many of the gates were spruced up in the years before the Beijing Olympics.

This new phase will work on areas not currently open to the public and is scheduled to continue through to 2020. Tourists may see new areas of the Forbidden City open to them within a year however.”

Best of China – Top Ten places for the first time visitor – Xian…

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:37:51 +0000

Seventh in the series where we profile what we think are the top ten destinations for the first time visitor to see in China. Destinations are listed in no particular order, however, what do YOU think the top ten should be???

Best of China – Top Ten places for the first time visitor – Hong Kong…

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:19:28 +0000

Sixth in the series where we profile what we think are the top ten destinations for the first time visitor to see in China. Destinations are listed in no particular order, however, what do YOU think the top ten should be???

Best of China – Top Ten places for the first time visitor – Huangshan…

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:38:06 +0000

Fifth in the series where we profile what we think are the top ten destinations for the first time visitor to see in China. Destinations are listed in no particular order, however, what do YOU think the top ten should be???

Best of China – Top Ten places for the first time visitor – Shanghai…

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:41:25 +0000

Fourth in the series where we profile what we think are the top ten destinations for the first time visitor to see in China. Destinations are listed in no particular order, however, what do YOU think the top ten should be???

Timelapse with a difference – Shanghai 1990 to 2010…

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:44:27 +0000

Came across this from SkyscraperCity of Shanghai’s Pudong are – same perspective taken in 1990 and in again in 2010.

Shanghai Expo UK Pavilion timelapse video…

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:22:43 +0000

We are into our Timelapse Videos and this is a good one showcasing the UK’s Pavilion at the World Expo currently underway in Shanghai. Sit back and enjoy…

The UK Pavilion from Shanghai Expo Timelapse Machine on Vimeo.

Music: Wim Mertens – Often A Bird

The UK Pavilion from Shanghai Expo Timelapse Machine on Vimeo.

Best of China – Top Ten places for the first time visitor – Hangzhou…

admin — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:28:21 +0000

Third in the series where we profile what we think are the top ten destinations for the first time visitor to see in China. Destinations are listed in no particular order, however, what do YOU think the top ten should be???