2022 CITM impresses visitors with Yunnan elements

The 2022 China International Travel Mart (CITM) closed in Kunming, Yunnan province on July 24.

Exhibitors and representatives from 71 countries and regions joined in the event physically or virtually, sharing businesses opportunities and facilitating tourism recovery.

The 16 Yunnan prefectures and cities showcased fine landscapes, ethnic cultures and healthy lifestyles, while working with their partners in culture-tourism integration and creative culture.

The 3-day travel fair has seen talks carried out face to face and deals reached in hand shakes. The CITM impressed guests and visitors with its Yunnan elements.

Yunnan tourism investment increased by 50.7% in the first half of 2022, with visitor number and tourism revenue bouncing back to 89.8% and 75.5% of those in the same period of 2019. Again, the Yunnan destinations of Dali, Lijiang, Xishuangbanna and others are occupied by tourists.

The 2022 CITM has boosted confidence in the Yunnan tourism sector and tourist consumers .

For international attendees, the CITM has allowed them to see the recovery of tourism in Yunnan and beyond.

Diplomats present were optimistic about tapping tourism market by joining hands with China, Yunnan in particular.

"I take the 2022 CITM as an opportunity for tourism cooperation with China, especially Yunnan," said SRISAMOOT MR. ARTHAYUDH, Ambassador of Thailand to China.

Faizal Bin Shani Fayisa, Consul General of Malaysia in Kunming, held that via the travel fair, his country will achieve greater growth and win-win results with China, Yunnan in particular.

PARK DO KWON, Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Chengdu believed Yunnan is unique in tourism resources, so it’s appealing to Korean tourists. "I’m confident in new growth of tourism in Korea and Yunnan," added Park.

"Yunnan history and ethnic cultures are inviting to Italian tourists, and we’re willing to further cooperate with Yunnan via hosting the Italy-China Year of Culture and Tourism," noted Andiana Lori, Deputy Consul General of Italy in Chongqing:

Samuel Andrew William TINDALL, Consul of the UK in Chongqing said: "I hope the joint pursuit to natural beauty will be the new trend for Britain-Yunnan cooperation."

At the end of 2021, the China-Laos Railway was opened to traffic, linking up the two countries further and bringing new opportunities to railway tours.

KHOM DOUANGCHANTHA, Director General of Tourism Marketing Department, Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, said that in improving the quality of tourism growth, China and Laos should work together for more engaging and more personalized tourist products.

"The China-Laos Railway will help increase the number of tourists, and based on the rail link, we hope to work more with Yunnan in tourism promotion and cooperation," said Daophet CHANTHANASINH, Deputy Consul General of Laos in Kunming.

Source: Yunnan Daily; Trans-editing by Wang Shixue