Author Archives: beatriceco

Sikumba honoured in the US for promoting tourism, wildlife

Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba has been recognized with a prestigious award at the Safari Club International (SCI) Annual Convention held in Nashville, Tennessee USA from January 2 to 25, 2025.
The accolade celebrates his exceptional efforts in promoting sustainable tourism and wildlife conservation in Zambia.
According to a statement by Ministry of Tourism Principal Public Relations Officer Nelly Banda,Mr Sikumba’s recognition highlights Zambia’s growing prominence as a leading destination for safari tourism, thanks to its rich biodiversity, well-managed wildlife reserves, and innovative conservation strategies.
The SCI Convention, renowned as the world’s largest gathering of hunting, conservation, and outdoor enthusiasts, attracts participants from across the globe.
This award further cements Zambia’s status as a premier destination for eco-tourism and sustainable wildlife management.
Expressing his gratitude, Mr Sikumba said, “It is an honour to receive this award on behalf of Zambia. This recognition reflects the collaborative efforts of our government, local communities, and conservation partners to protect our natural resources while creating opportunities for sustainable tourism development. We are committed to continuing this vital work to ensure Zambia remains a global leader in wildlife conservation and tourism.”
The Ministry of Tourism reiterates its commitment to fostering partnerships that balance economic development with environmental stewardship.
By Benedict Tembo

Local travel agencies see ‘robust’ year for PH tourism

A local group of travel agencies is bullish about a strong uptake in tourist bookings this year, signaling a renewed confidence from the sector which hit P760 billion in revenues in 2024.
“Our outlook for the year is that it will be very robust,” Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) president Evangeline Manotok told the Inquirer on the sidelines of their press conference for the upcoming PTAA Travel Tour Expo in February.
“We see that there is strong interest for Filipinos to travel to new destinations and it has increasingly become part of their normal lives to travel,” Manotok said.
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She said that there are also strong indications that travel bookings will grow this year, noting in particular the more than 1 million tourist bookings that were recorded for Filipinos who traveled to Hong Kong alone in 2024.FEATURED STORIES
“And then the Taiwan Tourism Board also said that we had over 300,000 visitors,” Manotok said.
Countries like South Korea and Japan also show promise based on their booking numbers and from the respective countries’ tourism boards, said the PTAA official.Article continues after this advertisement

“South Korea has so many destinations they are promoting,” she said. —Alden M. Monzon INQ

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Local travel agencies see ‘robust’ year for PH tourism

A local group of travel agencies is bullish about a strong uptake in tourist bookings this year, signaling a renewed confidence from the sector which hit P760 billion in revenues in 2024.
“Our outlook for the year is that it will be very robust,” Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) president Evangeline Manotok told the Inquirer on the sidelines of their press conference for the upcoming PTAA Travel Tour Expo in February.
“We see that there is strong interest for Filipinos to travel to new destinations and it has increasingly become part of their normal lives to travel,” Manotok said.
Article continues after this advertisement

She said that there are also strong indications that travel bookings will grow this year, noting in particular the more than 1 million tourist bookings that were recorded for Filipinos who traveled to Hong Kong alone in 2024.FEATURED STORIES
“And then the Taiwan Tourism Board also said that we had over 300,000 visitors,” Manotok said.
Countries like South Korea and Japan also show promise based on their booking numbers and from the respective countries’ tourism boards, said the PTAA official.Article continues after this advertisement

“South Korea has so many destinations they are promoting,” she said. —Alden M. Monzon INQ

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Your subscription has been successful.

Special trains offer immersive experiences to tourists bound for NE China’s Heilongjiang

A photographer takes pictures for passengers on a special train in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. (Photo/Jiang Qi)
In the 2024-2025 winter season, ice and snow tourism remains popular in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, with the upcoming 9th Asian Winter Games adding to the excitement. Alongside traditional attractions like the Harbin Ice-Snow World, this winter season offers new experiences and activities, providing visitors with immersive adventures.
At the beginning of the year, train K5197 from Harbin to Yabuli town, the first train themed on ice and snow travel photography services in China this year, started operation.
The train stations and themed carriages provide passengers with the chance to change costumes, enjoy photography services, and immerse themselves in a unique travel experience. The carriages feature various scenarios such as Harbin street scenes, European elegance, fantastical adventures, ice and snow marvels, and folk culture, allowing passengers to engage in photography services across different themed carriages.
Zhang Peng, a 38-year-old former chief attendant of a dining carriage from northeast China, initially had little knowledge of tourism photography. However, when tasked with taking pictures for passengers on trains, he took the initiative to learn the techniques online and dedicated his spare time to visiting photography shops to study photo composition and angles. Now, he has evolved into a semi-professional photographer.

An intangible cultural heritage inheritor presents a performance on a train in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. (Photo/Xu Shuai)
To enhance the photography experience during the train journey, passengers are provided with a range of costumes in Chinese, Western, and folk styles free of charge, along with a dressing room and a makeup area.
“In response to the growing interest in ice and snow tourism, we now offer makeup services to at least six to seven tourists daily,” shared Su Ruiqi, a makeup artist. She was applying makeup to a passenger while introducing the cuisine of Harbin and Yabuli Ski Resort in the train’s makeup area.
“We snapped photos all the way from the front to the back of the train, but with the trip coming to an end we wish we could still shoot more,” said a tourist named Liu Ziyao from central China’s Hunan Province. Two hours later, the train arrived on time at Yabuli South Station. As the 9th Asian Winter Games approaches, this place, the venue for snow events, has become a popular spot for tourists to visit.
On Jan. 11, 2025, aboard train K7041 from Harbin to Mohe in Heilongjiang Province, the first train themed on intangible cultural heritage this year, passengers enjoyed a special cultural feast. A man from the Oroqen ethnic group sang traditional Oroqen tunes while wearing a roe deer horn hat and ethnic clothing. His performance inspired tourists to join in singing along.
“The upcoming Spring Festival is the first one taking place after the ‘Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional New Year,’ was officially recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Many tourists are traveling to Mohe, China’s northernmost city. We decided to operate a train themed on intangible cultural heritage of ethnic groups, inviting inheritors to showcase their works on board. This allows tourists to learn about Heilongjiang’s intangible cultural heritage during the journey,” said train conductor Shi Lei.
Heilongjiang is home to rich intangible cultural heritage. Along the route of train K7041, areas including Jiagedaqi district of Daxing’anling prefecture, Tahe county, and Mohe city, are known for the rich Oroqen ethnic culture, with practices such as Oroqen folk songs, birch bark pyrography, dough figurine making technique, and others recognized as national and provincial intangible heritage projects.

Tourists make dumplings on a folk culture-themed train in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. (Photo/Xu Shuai)
To celebrate this heritage, this year’s first train themed on intangible cultural heritage was operated, with inheritors of these traditions showcasing their skills on board to promote ethnic culture and the ice and snow culture.
Boarding train K7103 train from Harbin to Jiagedaqi district, passengers are immersed in the rich culture of northeast China. The carriages are adorned with traditional decorations featuring elements of northeast China, setting a warm and genuine ambiance.
The train staff, mostly locals from Heilongjiang, have infused the train with folk elements of northeast China, offering passengers a glimpse into the local customs and traditions. This year, the train features a special area showcasing specialty products from the Greater Khingan Mountains, allowing travelers to discover the specialties of Heilongjiang.
“I never imagined the train would offer such a range of activities, adding to our excitement for the upcoming journey. In just a few days, we’ll be off to Mohe, with high hopes of catching a glimpse of the aurora,” said Zhang Yutong, a tourist from south China’s Guangdong Province.
(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)

Special trains offer immersive experiences to tourists bound for NE China’s Heilongjiang

A photographer takes pictures for passengers on a special train in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. (Photo/Jiang Qi)
In the 2024-2025 winter season, ice and snow tourism remains popular in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, with the upcoming 9th Asian Winter Games adding to the excitement. Alongside traditional attractions like the Harbin Ice-Snow World, this winter season offers new experiences and activities, providing visitors with immersive adventures.
At the beginning of the year, train K5197 from Harbin to Yabuli town, the first train themed on ice and snow travel photography services in China this year, started operation.
The train stations and themed carriages provide passengers with the chance to change costumes, enjoy photography services, and immerse themselves in a unique travel experience. The carriages feature various scenarios such as Harbin street scenes, European elegance, fantastical adventures, ice and snow marvels, and folk culture, allowing passengers to engage in photography services across different themed carriages.
Zhang Peng, a 38-year-old former chief attendant of a dining carriage from northeast China, initially had little knowledge of tourism photography. However, when tasked with taking pictures for passengers on trains, he took the initiative to learn the techniques online and dedicated his spare time to visiting photography shops to study photo composition and angles. Now, he has evolved into a semi-professional photographer.

An intangible cultural heritage inheritor presents a performance on a train in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. (Photo/Xu Shuai)
To enhance the photography experience during the train journey, passengers are provided with a range of costumes in Chinese, Western, and folk styles free of charge, along with a dressing room and a makeup area.
“In response to the growing interest in ice and snow tourism, we now offer makeup services to at least six to seven tourists daily,” shared Su Ruiqi, a makeup artist. She was applying makeup to a passenger while introducing the cuisine of Harbin and Yabuli Ski Resort in the train’s makeup area.
“We snapped photos all the way from the front to the back of the train, but with the trip coming to an end we wish we could still shoot more,” said a tourist named Liu Ziyao from central China’s Hunan Province. Two hours later, the train arrived on time at Yabuli South Station. As the 9th Asian Winter Games approaches, this place, the venue for snow events, has become a popular spot for tourists to visit.
On Jan. 11, 2025, aboard train K7041 from Harbin to Mohe in Heilongjiang Province, the first train themed on intangible cultural heritage this year, passengers enjoyed a special cultural feast. A man from the Oroqen ethnic group sang traditional Oroqen tunes while wearing a roe deer horn hat and ethnic clothing. His performance inspired tourists to join in singing along.
“The upcoming Spring Festival is the first one taking place after the ‘Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional New Year,’ was officially recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Many tourists are traveling to Mohe, China’s northernmost city. We decided to operate a train themed on intangible cultural heritage of ethnic groups, inviting inheritors to showcase their works on board. This allows tourists to learn about Heilongjiang’s intangible cultural heritage during the journey,” said train conductor Shi Lei.
Heilongjiang is home to rich intangible cultural heritage. Along the route of train K7041, areas including Jiagedaqi district of Daxing’anling prefecture, Tahe county, and Mohe city, are known for the rich Oroqen ethnic culture, with practices such as Oroqen folk songs, birch bark pyrography, dough figurine making technique, and others recognized as national and provincial intangible heritage projects.

Tourists make dumplings on a folk culture-themed train in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. (Photo/Xu Shuai)
To celebrate this heritage, this year’s first train themed on intangible cultural heritage was operated, with inheritors of these traditions showcasing their skills on board to promote ethnic culture and the ice and snow culture.
Boarding train K7103 train from Harbin to Jiagedaqi district, passengers are immersed in the rich culture of northeast China. The carriages are adorned with traditional decorations featuring elements of northeast China, setting a warm and genuine ambiance.
The train staff, mostly locals from Heilongjiang, have infused the train with folk elements of northeast China, offering passengers a glimpse into the local customs and traditions. This year, the train features a special area showcasing specialty products from the Greater Khingan Mountains, allowing travelers to discover the specialties of Heilongjiang.
“I never imagined the train would offer such a range of activities, adding to our excitement for the upcoming journey. In just a few days, we’ll be off to Mohe, with high hopes of catching a glimpse of the aurora,” said Zhang Yutong, a tourist from south China’s Guangdong Province.
(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)

Inbound tourism booms in January 2025

In January 2025, inbound tourism continues to heat up across China, as “China travel” has become increasingly popular among foreign tourists.

Italian tourists pose for a group photo on the city wall of Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. (Photo courtesy of Chengdu Greatway Tour Co., Ltd.)
Since China implemented the 240-hour visa-free transit policy on Dec. 17 last year, the country has seen a rising number of inbound tourists.
For instance, more and more tourists hailing from South Korea and Japan have traveled to east China’s Shandong Province by air after work on Friday to indulge in delectable cuisine, stunning landscapes, and shopping sprees. Cities like Qingdao, Yantai, and Weihai in the province have become popular destinations for South Korean tourists.

South Korean tourists drink beer at the Tsingtao Beer Museum in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province. (Photo courtesy of the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)
Since the beginning of this year, Qingdao has received nearly 1,000 South Korean tourist visits per day on average, a 17.6 percent surge compared to that before China implemented a unilateral visa-free policy for South Korea.
Since China’s visa-free entry policy for South Korea on a trial basis, the volume of travel bookings from South Korean tourists to China has surged, with Shanghai emerging as the top choice for many South Korean visitors.
On New Year’s Day, 130 tourists from 10 countries and Hong Kong SAR arrived in Beijing. They gathered at the foot of the Great Wall, immersing themselves in traditional Chinese culture through intangible cultural heritages like paper-cutting and lion dance.
Today, many foreign tourists are exploring China in unique ways, seeking to delve into its rich history and vibrant modern culture. South Korean tourists share their travel experiences in Shanghai on social media, exploring the city’s trendy cafes, bars, and night markets. A tourism company has continued to roll out inbound tourism products in Shanghai, adding new city walk routes, museum visits and intangible cultural heritage experiences, etc.
China’s inbound tourism is expected to achieve positive growth this year and surpass the 2019 level, thanks to continuously improved visa, payment, and accommodation policies, facilities and service quality, plus active overseas promotion of inbound tourism, according to Liu Xiangyan, who is in charge of inbound tourism research at the China Tourism Academy.

Tourists pose for a group photo in front of the Temple of Heaven, a well-known attraction in Beijing. (Photo courtesy of CYTS International Travel. Co., Ltd.)
Data from Shanghai’s Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism shows that the city received over 6 million inbound tourist visits in 2024. Shanghai aims to position itself as the top destination for inbound tourism, with internationally friendly tourism products and convenient services, according to the city’s government work report this year.
Qingdao welcomed 442,200 inbound tourist visits in 2024, a whopping 97.3 percent increase year on year. In 2025, Qingdao will ramp up its tourism promotion efforts in South Korea, Japan, and emerging markets including Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Online travel agency Ctrip predicts that the number of travel bookings by foreign tourists for the Spring Festival period this year will surge by 203 percent year on year.
China welcomes foreign tourists to join China’s celebration of the Spring Festival and experience the joy of the Chinese New Year, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said recently.
(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)

Inbound tourism booms in January 2025

In January 2025, inbound tourism continues to heat up across China, as “China travel” has become increasingly popular among foreign tourists.

Italian tourists pose for a group photo on the city wall of Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. (Photo courtesy of Chengdu Greatway Tour Co., Ltd.)
Since China implemented the 240-hour visa-free transit policy on Dec. 17 last year, the country has seen a rising number of inbound tourists.
For instance, more and more tourists hailing from South Korea and Japan have traveled to east China’s Shandong Province by air after work on Friday to indulge in delectable cuisine, stunning landscapes, and shopping sprees. Cities like Qingdao, Yantai, and Weihai in the province have become popular destinations for South Korean tourists.

South Korean tourists drink beer at the Tsingtao Beer Museum in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province. (Photo courtesy of the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)
Since the beginning of this year, Qingdao has received nearly 1,000 South Korean tourist visits per day on average, a 17.6 percent surge compared to that before China implemented a unilateral visa-free policy for South Korea.
Since China’s visa-free entry policy for South Korea on a trial basis, the volume of travel bookings from South Korean tourists to China has surged, with Shanghai emerging as the top choice for many South Korean visitors.
On New Year’s Day, 130 tourists from 10 countries and Hong Kong SAR arrived in Beijing. They gathered at the foot of the Great Wall, immersing themselves in traditional Chinese culture through intangible cultural heritages like paper-cutting and lion dance.
Today, many foreign tourists are exploring China in unique ways, seeking to delve into its rich history and vibrant modern culture. South Korean tourists share their travel experiences in Shanghai on social media, exploring the city’s trendy cafes, bars, and night markets. A tourism company has continued to roll out inbound tourism products in Shanghai, adding new city walk routes, museum visits and intangible cultural heritage experiences, etc.
China’s inbound tourism is expected to achieve positive growth this year and surpass the 2019 level, thanks to continuously improved visa, payment, and accommodation policies, facilities and service quality, plus active overseas promotion of inbound tourism, according to Liu Xiangyan, who is in charge of inbound tourism research at the China Tourism Academy.

Tourists pose for a group photo in front of the Temple of Heaven, a well-known attraction in Beijing. (Photo courtesy of CYTS International Travel. Co., Ltd.)
Data from Shanghai’s Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism shows that the city received over 6 million inbound tourist visits in 2024. Shanghai aims to position itself as the top destination for inbound tourism, with internationally friendly tourism products and convenient services, according to the city’s government work report this year.
Qingdao welcomed 442,200 inbound tourist visits in 2024, a whopping 97.3 percent increase year on year. In 2025, Qingdao will ramp up its tourism promotion efforts in South Korea, Japan, and emerging markets including Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Online travel agency Ctrip predicts that the number of travel bookings by foreign tourists for the Spring Festival period this year will surge by 203 percent year on year.
China welcomes foreign tourists to join China’s celebration of the Spring Festival and experience the joy of the Chinese New Year, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said recently.
(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)