RTR48XWJ.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
The number of foreign tourists visiting China continues to decline in the face of problems like air pollution, a China Tourism Academy report said.
The report said that the number of inbound tourists in 2013 was 129.08 million, which is lower by 2.51 percent year-on-year.
"Since the first quarter of 2012, the number of inbound tourists has been down for nine consecutive quarters both on an annual and quarterly basis, and there is no sign that it will bounce back soon," said Dai Bin, the academy's head.
"China's inbound tourism market is in a grave situation unseen before," Dai added.
Of the total number of inbound tourists in 2013, approximately 75.4 percent expressed satisfaction with their experience, which was down by 11.41 percent from the previous year. Some of the tourists were dismayed with the water supply, air quality and barrier-free facilities, according to China Daily.
"The complicated exterior environment has added uncertainties to the development of inbound tourism," Dai said.
According to the academy head, weather, environmental and terrorism issues have also posed challenges for the industry.
Not only that the number of tourists decreased, but the money these visitors spent in China also did.
Jia Zhirong, manager of an online travel service provider, said that his company suffered declines in both the number of foreign tourists and the money they spent in the country in the past three years. His company's clients were mostly from South Korea, Canada, Japan and the United States.
"In 2011 the average spending in China for each overseas tourist was around $2,000, excluding transportation and accommodation. The number has been dropping every year," Jia said.
