Investment in Chinese tourism industry reached 302 billion yuan (48.6 billion US dollars) in the first half of 2015, up 28% from the same period last year, according to China’s National Tourism Administration.
The administration adds that domestic tourism expenditure reached 1.64 trillion yuan (264 million US dollars) in the first half of this year. That's an increase of nearly 15% from a year ago.
With the double-digit growth, experts say tourism industry will play a growing role in boosting China’s economy, especially during the economic slowdown.
"The growth speed of investment and revenue in the tourism industry has surpassed the growth of #GDP in the first half of 2015. Tourism has become an important factor in pushing economic development,” said Xu Chuanbao, an investment consultant from Goldstate Securities.
