The Changing Role of Tourism in China's Economy

Abstract

This article seeks to examine the features of China's tourism development after its rapid economic progress over the past few decades. Three main features were discovered. First, as China's economy continues to grow, the insignificant share of tourism in the economy indicates that tourism is not a growth engine. Second, instead of stimulating economic growth, tourism has been employed to accommodate China's economic needs at different stages of development. Third, the development of tourism actually reflects the rapid urbanization in China. The key cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Macao, are the main drivers of China's overall tourism development. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.