french.china.org.cn
China's Winter Tourism Boom: Heilongjiang Province Leads with Record Revenue
During the 2024-2025 winter season (November 8, 2024-February 28, 2025), Heilongjiang province in Northeast China welcomed 135.08 million domestic and international tourists, a surge of 18.5% year-on-year, generating 211.72 billion yuan (US$29.19 billion) in tourism revenue—a 30.7% increase, exceeding national growth of 20% and 21% respectively.
- How did government policies and infrastructure improvements contribute to the growth of ice and snow tourism in Heilongjiang and other regions?
- This growth is part of a larger national trend. Nationwide, the 2024-2025 ice and snow tourism season attracted an estimated 520 million visits, a 21% increase, generating over 630 billion yuan in revenue (a 20% increase). This success reflects targeted government policies promoting winter tourism and improved infrastructure.
- What are the long-term implications of China's burgeoning winter tourism sector for regional economic development and international collaboration?
- The success of Heilongjiang's winter tourism highlights the potential for regional economic diversification in China. The province's visa exemption policy for cross-border China-Russia tourist groups, implemented February 20, further boosted international arrivals by 103.9% and spending by 117.5%. This points to a future where strategic collaborations and infrastructure improvements can unlock further economic growth in less-developed regions.
- What were the key economic impacts of the 2024-2025 ice and snow tourism season in Heilongjiang province, and how does this compare to national trends?
- Heilongjiang province in Northeast China saw a significant boost in its winter tourism during the 2024-2025 season (November 8, 2024-February 28, 2025), with 135.08 million visitors (an 18.5% increase year-on-year) generating 211.72 billion yuan (US$29.19 billion) in revenue (a 30.7% increase). International tourism also saw a substantial rise.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing consistently emphasizes the positive economic aspects of winter tourism in China. The headline (if one existed) would likely highlight the significant revenue increase. The positive growth figures are prominently displayed, while potential negative consequences are not mentioned. This prioritization shapes the reader's understanding towards viewing the expansion as a purely beneficial development.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and factual, presenting numerical data on tourist arrivals and revenue. However, terms like "remarkable success" and "rapid growth" convey a positive tone that could be considered slightly loaded. More neutral alternatives could be: "significant increase" or "substantial expansion".
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the economic success of winter tourism in China, particularly in Heilongjiang and Chongli. However, it omits discussion of potential negative environmental impacts associated with this rapid growth, such as increased carbon emissions from transportation and infrastructure development, or the strain on natural resources. It also lacks perspectives from environmental groups or critics of the industry. While acknowledging space constraints is reasonable, inclusion of at least a brief mention of potential drawbacks would have provided a more balanced perspective.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a largely positive view of the growth of winter tourism, implicitly framing it as an unqualified success story. It doesn't explore potential downsides or trade-offs involved in prioritizing this sector's growth. The focus on economic benefits overshadows other considerations, creating a false dichotomy between economic progress and other societal or environmental concerns.
Gender Bias
The article lacks information on gender distribution among tourists or employees in the tourism sector. There is no overt gender bias in the language used, but the absence of data on gender representation represents an omission that prevents a full assessment of equity within the industry.
Sustainable Development Goals
The significant increase in tourism revenue and visitor numbers in Heilongjiang and other regions demonstrates substantial economic growth driven by the ice and snow tourism sector. This growth creates jobs and stimulates related industries, contributing to economic development. The government initiatives to promote this sector further strengthen its positive impact on economic growth and job creation.