Chinese Tourist Trade Fails To Take Off

When you consider that the Chinese tropical hotspots of Hainan and Yunnan attracted some 18 million tourist visitors last year, yet only 750,000 were from foreign lands, the problem starts to become a little clearer. While China has so much to offer and is investing billions of dollars into its infrastructure, improving transport networks and massive advertising campaigns, the visitors to chinese beach resorts are just not appearing but why?

Despite having the largest population in the world, a history which goes back centuries and a culture which is full of mystery and intrigue, the market for Chinese tourism has yet to tap into the global tourism industry. The Chinese tourist industry in many ways it is still suffering from the stigma attached to the old way of rule with only major industrial hubs operating with more commercialism, more western influences and a free market economy starting to take hold. If only the Chinese authorities could actually overcome the widely held international view of the country, there is so much to gain for all parties. Beautiful places to visit for tourists, much need income for local communities and an improving international opinion of the region. There might even be a lucrative second homes market in the making for chinese beach property.

That said, many of these tourist hotspots are in desperate need of further investment, and the need to attract the Western tourist has never been more vital. As we approach the onset of the 2008 Olympic Games, conflict and friction in the region seems to be clouding the bigger picture yet again.The hope is that the 2008 Games will offer China the perfect opportunity to persuade the international community that they have so much more to offer, besides its big cities and Great Wall.

Dubbed the Hawaii of China, the tropical resorts have been the stunning backdrop to past Miss World beauty pageants and major international hotel brands are already investing with one eye on future tourism revenues. Luxury hotel brand, Kempinski already operates a resort and with Ritz-Carlton set to open up in 2008 many believe this will be the tipping point for China’s beach resorts which rival the likes of Bali and Thailand’s Phuket.

China’s domestic tourists are currently fuelling a tourist boom with 18 golf courses already built and 10 more planned. Plans are also underway for a dubai-style seven-star deluxe hotel project due to open in 2011.

Whilst China’s mega cities may already be attracting international property investors, china’s beach resorts might be an up and coming overseas property market to be watched.