Reference News Network, October 22 report: On October 18, the website of the American magazine "Around the World" published an article titled "The Thriving Shopping Tourism in China", the following is a compilation:

In recent years, China has become a popular destination for foreign shoppers, attracting many international tourists with its highly competitive prices, rich and diverse shopping choices, and increasingly convenient overseas consumption services. The Chinese retail market's appeal to tourists has been growing day by day, now becoming one of the main reasons for tourists to visit China. A number of important incentive measures, including shopping tax refunds, visa-free entry policies for citizens of multiple countries, and continuously enriched product categories, have made China more attractive to global shoppers. With key developments in the shopping tourism sector expected to continue, foreign tourists' spending in China is likely to reach new highs, thereby helping the Chinese economy and retail market. By continuously optimizing tourism policies, China is gradually positioning itself as one of the most attractive shopping tourism destinations globally.

The factors behind China becoming a global shopping hub are multifaceted. In the past year, the relaxation of the tax refund policy was an important development, greatly simplifying the tax refund process for tourists. Now, after purchasing goods in many retail stores, foreign tourists can directly apply for value-added tax refunds, significantly improving the efficiency of the entire process.

Additionally, China has become a popular destination for high-tech products. These products are not only usually cheaper than in most other countries but also offer a wider range of options, thus attracting numerous tourists from regions such as the Middle East.

Another key factor driving the growth of shopping tourism is China's more relaxed visa policies. Currently, citizens of several countries can enjoy visa-free entry to certain parts of China, allowing tourists to conveniently travel to China for shopping without the hassle of complicated visa procedures. This policy combined with attractive tax refund benefits creates a favorable tourism environment where shopping becomes a major motivation for visiting China.

The Hainan Free Trade Port is also driving this trend. Hainan continues to expand its duty-free shopping options, meeting the diverse needs and preferences of different tourists. Now, tourists traveling to Hainan can purchase various affordable duty-free goods, further enhancing Hainan's appeal as a retail tourism destination.

Over the next few years, the Chinese retail tourism market is expected to see significant growth. Recent forecasts indicate that by 2030, the share of inbound tourism spending in the overall tourism market may rise from the current 11% to 18%. This increase in spending is driven not only by tax refund policies but also by rising demand from tourists for shopping malls and other retail venues. As international tourists flock to cities across China, especially shopping malls offering duty-free goods or immediate tax refunds, their sales are surging dramatically.

What kinds of products do foreign tourists usually buy in China? Although there are large differences in shopping lists due to personal preferences, technology products such as drones and smartphones remain the most popular categories. Fashion products, especially fashion products from Chinese domestic brands, are also in high demand. High-quality silk, cultural products, and cosmetics from both Chinese and foreign brands are also popular categories of goods that attract tourists to shop at Chinese retail outlets.

The Chinese tourism market is expected to experience rapid development, with more and more travel agencies and airlines seizing the opportunity of the influx of foreign shoppers, actively expanding their businesses. The expected increase in the number of international tourists will benefit industries such as duty-free shopping and civil aviation, bringing more growth opportunities to these sectors.

The landscape of China's international shopping tourism is changing. With the government introducing customized policies aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for tourists, shopping incentives are further expanding, and China's status as a popular destination for international shoppers will continue to rise. (Translated by Zhu Jie)

On September 25, foreign tourists were selecting perfumes in the duty-free area of a duty-free store in Chengdu. (Xinhua News Agency)

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7563862812456436259/

Statement: The article represents the views of its author. Please express your opinion by clicking on the [Up/Down] buttons below.