While tourism has suffered a major blow during the COVID-19 pandemic, visitor numbers are gradually rising at many rural tourist sites across China. Many believe this will slowly but surely breathe new life into the economy.
After being stuck at home for almost two months, Zhong Hua and his family have decided to come outside and enjoy the beautiful scenery during the three-day Qingming Festival holiday.
Zhong told CGTN the weather is pretty good and wants to take his kids out and relax. They would like to tour nearby rural areas, and they won't go to places far away with lots of crowds.
Hundreds of tourists are pouring into a flower site in Jingshan town of Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Many are still cautious about their personal health.
Many tourists still bring face masks and hand sanitizers when going out. /CGTN
A man surnamed Long said they have fewer worries about the epidemic, but when they go out, they still need to bring face masks and hand sanitizer.
According to the China Tourism Academy, domestic tourist arrivals will show an overall first quarter decrease of 56 percent, and domestic tourist revenue will shrink by 69 percent.
Bai Xialan is the owner of Baiguoyuan restaurant which reopened last week. She said they disinfect almost every corner of the restaurant each day, and check each customer's health code. As the epidemic is getting contained, she believes her business will get better.
Restaurant owner Bai Xialan welcomes more tourists after two months' shutdown. /CGTN
Tim Clancy has been living in Hangzhou for almost 10 years. He's been actively watching and promoting the city's tourism as Hangzhou's Culture and Tourism Ambassador.
Clancy told CGTN that to attract more tourists, he thinks it's just a matter of complying with good health guidelines to make sure that one provides the community serving utensils, basically enforcing all the sort of things that have been given a top-down directive in terms of good public health.
Hangzhou Culture & Tourism Ambassador Tim Clancy hails the tourism stimulus measures to help people get out and consume more. /CGTN
Authorities in east China's Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces encouraged companies to implement a two-and-a-half-day weekend to have more employees go on vacations on weekends and holidays. Other new incentives include giving discounted tickets to tourists and offering travel vouchers.
Clancy said he thinks the measures are quite good. "Enjoy the good, clean outdoor air, and get in touch with nature, there will be a burst and surge because people have been bottled up so long," he said.
As the coronavirus situation gradually improves in China, tourism is expected to play a larger role in boosting consumption to help revive the economy.
As the overseas travel have been suspended due to the pandemic, domestic rural tourism is expected to welcome more tourists, for people are chasing for a more healthy and natural lifestyle.