2025.11.29
1. The 7e Forum Culturel Franco-Chinois: Mayors’ Roundtable Dialogue Held in Changsha
Source: Culture & Tourism Changsha
On November 4, the Mayors’ Roundtable Dialogue of the 7e Forum Culturel Franco-Chinois was held in Changsha. Government representatives from six cities in China and France engaged in thorough and comprehensive discussions on cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries.
Zhou Zhikai, Deputy Mayor of the Changsha Municipal People’s Government, warmly welcomed the French delegation and representatives from other domestic cities. He underscored Changsha’s commitment to being a most proactive participant, a most pragmatic practitioner, and the most genuine advocate for China–France friendship. Zhou also expressed a desire to strengthen ties with more French cities, widen the “circle of friends” along the Maritime Silk Road, and collaboratively write a new chapter in China–France exchange and cooperation.
Marie-Dominique AESCHLIMANN, Senator of Hauts-de-Seine (Île-de-France) and member of the Social Affairs Committee, remarked on the enduring friendship between France and China since diplomatic relations were established. She added that she has strongly felt the significant challenges that global economic development currently faces, and stressed that the two governments need closer cooperation. AESCHLIMANN also noted that France now hosts annual "China Youth" festival events, expressing hope for increased people-to-people and cultural exchange activities in the future, allowing more French children to learn about Chinese culture.
2. Trip.com Group Showcases at the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE)
Source: Trip.com Blackboard
On November 5, 2025, the 8th China International Import Expo officially opened in Shanghai. Trip.com Group established a comprehensive partnership with the CIIE, taking on the role of "Official Travel Service Partner." Guided by its brand slogan, “To pursue the perfect trip for a better world,” Trip.com Group displayed its innovations and service ecosystem for inbound tourism at its booth. This initiative resonated with the CIIE theme, delivering a revitalized image of China’s tourism services to audiences around the world.
As the officially designated travel service partner of this year’s CIIE, Trip.com Group provided overseas visitors attending the expo with a range of one-stop services, including flight bookings, hotel accommodations, attraction tickets, and local experiences. This demonstrated the comprehensive capabilities of a world-leading travel service provider.
Inbound tourism in 2025 shows robust growth. Data from the Trip.com platform indicates that, in comparison to the previous year, air ticket bookings and hotel stays for foreign travelers to China have increased by over 100%, while sales of attraction tickets have surged by 300%+. At this year’s CIIE, Trip.com Group also showcased a variety of innovative services for inbound-tourism as a key focus of its exhibition.
3. “Splendid Tianfu, Leisurely Sichuan” Debuts at World Travel Market (WTM) London
Source: Sichuan Channel
To enhance international inbound tourism markets, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Sichuan Province, in collaboration with the Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism and key culture-and-tourism enterprises in the province, traveled to London, the UK, to participate in the annual World Travel Market (WTM) from November 4 to 6, 2025. This participation marked the first significant introduction of the “Splendid Tianfu, Leisurely Sichuan” culture-and-tourism brand, along with its related resources, routes, and products in the European market. Themed “Travel Powers the World,” this year’s WTM attracted more than 5,000 exhibitors from over 180 countries and regions, making it a vital international event for the global tourism industry.
Situated in a prime location within the China Pavilion, the Sichuan booth featured a wide range of English-language promotional brochures, panda-themed cultural and creative products, and various tourism marketing materials. In partnership with the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, the booth actively promoted “the Bashu Culture and Tourism Corridor,” focusing on expanding Europe’s inbound tourism market. The booth’s incorporation of Sichuan cultural elements attracted significant engagement from both domestic and international travel trade professionals, making it a key highlight of the event. A collection of Bashu-style cultural exhibits drew strong interest and deeper matchmaking from international buyers and mainstream media, showcasing Sichuan’s culture and tourism on the global stage.
4. CYTS Hosted the 13th Season of the “Discover the City Around You” Public-Welfare Outing for the Visually Impaired
Source: CYTS
On November 11, the event titled “Chasing Dreams in Youth, Setting Sail Toward the Light: Discover the City Around You—Season 13 Public-Welfare Outing for the Visually Impaired” officially opened at Beijing WTown, a scenic area managed by CYTS. A group of 34 visually impaired participants from the China Braille Library and the Alumni Association of Beijing Blind School, supported by more than 80 enthusiastic volunteers, engaged in immersive sensory experiences such as “Experiencing Intangible Cultural Heritage,” “Touching the Great Wall,” and “Listening to History.” Through these activities, participants listened to the rhythm of the season and appreciated the beauty of culture, finding comfort and strength amid landscapes and humanistic heritage around them.
5. Guangdong China Travel Service (GZL) Launched New 2026–2027 “Global Players Camp” Series
Source: China Travel Trade Media
Recently, Guangdong China Travel Service (GZL), a subsidiary of Guangzhou Lingnan Group, partnered with internationally renowned brands like Ponant, Swan Hellenic, and MSC Cruises to officially launch its 2026–2027 “Global Players Camp” long-haul overseas cruise series. Notably, on the day of the launch event, two flagship itineraries— “21 Days Across Nine West African Countries” and “12 Days in French Polynesia”—were sold out immediately. This strong market response clearly demonstrates a robust demand for high-quality, experience-driven cruise offerings.
6. China Tourism Group Took the Lead in Establishing a New Central SOE
Source: Yoopay
According to the official website of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), a meeting was convened to promote the specialized consolidation of central enterprises, accompanied by a signing ceremony for key projects on November 21. Among the signed projects, China Tourism Group took the lead in establishing a central SOE cruise operations platform company. Following this specialized integration, the fleet’s scale ranks first in Asia.
LI Ming, General Manager of China Tourism Group’s subsidiary, Huaxia Cruise Company, noted that the cruise industry has a substantial spillover effect, with an industry-driven multiplier ranging from 1:10 to 1:14, meaning that for every RMB 1 of revenue generated by the cruise industry, it can stimulate economic benefits of RMB 10 to 14 across related upstream and downstream industries.
It is noted that China Tourism Group Co., Ltd. and China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited represent a backbone state-owned enterprise directly governed by the central government and are among the central enterprises based in Hong Kong. The Group’s history can be traced back to August 15, 1923, when a travel department was established by the Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank. Over more than a century of development, the Group has developed an extensive industrial presence that includes travel agencies, scenic attractions, hotels, duty-free shops, tourism transportation, document services, cruises, real estate, cultural and creative businesses, as well as comprehensive operations in Hong Kong. Its operational network covers the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, and extends to over 30 countries and regions worldwide. The Group encompasses numerous well-known tourism brands, including CTS Hong Kong, China International Travel Service, China Travel Service, and China Duty Free. As the only central SOE in China dedicated to tourism as its core business, it distinguishes itself as the premier tourism enterprise with the longest development history, a fairly comprehensive industry chain, substantial operational scale, and high brand equity in China. By the end of 2024, the Group employed more than 42,000 employees, held total assets exceeding RMB 200 billion, and welcomed more than 80 million visitors annually.