Tourism and Economic Development in China and Jiaozuo City Tourism
From the most luxurious hotels to the most luxurious beaches through to the most luxurious shopping malls and architecture, the Chinese are blessed not only with the gift of nature but have been forthright in consolidating these gifts by employing technology to advance tourism. It is therefore not surprising that it is considered to be a major tourist destination. In terms of the contribution of the sector to economic growth in China, Hall and Michael (2007) carried out a study which sought to investigate the sector from 2006 to 2009 and found out that in 2006 the contribution of the sector to the gross domestic product to the Chinese economy was thirty nine billion and seven hundred million United States dollars while the sector recorded forty billion and eight hundred million United States dollars in 2007 which was a massive improvement on the performance of the sector for the prior year. In the year 2008 the Chinese economy grew by additional thirty seven billion and two hundred million United States dollars (Zhao, Xiaoming, 2009). In 2009 even though the Chinese tourism sector contributed thirty three billion and nine hundred million United State dollars to the economy the figure was a decline of the contribution for the sector to the entire economy (Sharpley, 2002).
As indicated in earlier sections of this study with particular reference to Jiaozuo and its tourism potentials, the city and its environ gained national and international prominence around the year 2004 emerging out of a desperate desire to find a replacement for the overdependence of the community on coal which was fast diminishing in size and in value( Grenna, 2006). Since the endorsement of a five point stage for the development of the tourism potential of the region, including a decision by central administration of Jiaozuo to set the tourism as its priority, the city and its tourism potential have been the major source of employment and income to countless number of people both of domestic and international orientation. Among The tourism potential of this region are very important recreational and theme parks as well as mountainous features that draws people from different part of the country (Sun et al 2009). The presence of hotels considered to be among the best managed with the best facilities and at affordable prices as well as network of travel and tour organizations makes the place a holiday destination for many people. It is therefore not surprising that an assessment of the annual report of the regional tourism development board gives an indication that the regional income from tourism is largely related to protected area entrance fees which is the fee charged at entry and is always the most important financial source and increasing in time from tourism recreation and recreation service fees, special events and special services which are the user fees for music festivals and recreation programs within the protected area (Sun, Ligun, 2010).
Other areas that are identified as major sources include accommodation, transportation and guiding fee, parking fee, equipment rental, sale of food(restaurant and store), merchandise sales (equipment, clothing, souvenirs),licenses and permits which are instruments required for private firms to conduct activities on protected area property, such as permits for tour operators and guides (Sun et al, 2009). The rest include targeted taxes on relevant points on the market chain related to the tourism industry earmarked for conservation, licensing of intellectual property including those that are charged for the image rights and it is normally based on the licensing of licensing of companies and private purposes of visitors for using the images of the national park (Tao, 2009). The last sources of income and employment which is identified to result from tourism are sale or rental of image rights (e.g. for taking photographs): it is most common fee of licensing of intellectual property and concession fees which includes charges or shares of revenue paid by businesses operating within protected areas to provide services to tourists (Mitchell, Jonathan, 2009).
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