52m visitors boost revenue

The development of Wuhan's tourism industry has moved into high gear in recent years, as traditional attractions have been complemented with a modern tourism infrastructure. This improvement has transformed the city from a tourism distribution centre into a favourable destination in its own right.

According to Wuhan Municipal Tourism Bureau, tourism income from January to June this year jumped 33.2 per cent to 43.2 billion yuan (HK$52.7 billion) from 51.7 million visitors, including 480,000 from overseas.

The city has recorded healthy growth from markets such as Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Germany and the United States. And, with the launch of the high-speed rail link from Guangzhou in December 2009, the number of Hong Kong visitors jumped by more than 57 per cent last year.

The Wuhan-Guangzhou rail link has injected new impetus into the development of the tourism industry, and the city is looking to capitalise on the opportunity brought by more convenient transport networks.

The tourism bureau says a range of diverse offerings keep the visitors coming in, ranging from sightseeing tours to resort relaxation tours, study tours, and meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions facilities. The city also has some of the largest and best exhibition facilities.

The transport infrastructure is efficient and comprehensive, including light rail and metro systems, while hotels and other accommodation offer services and prices to fit different demands.