2020-03-17
Li ling
Culture & Travel Expansion Department Director
China Unicom
Q1：If you are asked to remember 2020 with only one word or phrase what would it be? Why?
A: Responsibility
After the COVID-19 outbreak, the China Unicom headquarters has made the decision that all departments should fulfill the responsibilities of a central enterprise (State-owned Key Enterprise). As such, it has to provide significant support to the state and society with scientific and technological tools and resources in the fight against the epidemic and for the resumption of production. As the one in charge of cooperation with the culture and tourism sectors under China Unicom, I wasted no time in reorienting the priorities of our team into assisting trade partners with epidemic control and recovery. Although many scenic spots and travel agencies had to close for lack of business during the epidemic, our team did not rest for a day. Helping the epidemic control measures with scientific and technological resources is not only a task assigned to us by the company, but also a responsibility we voluntarily take on as a member of the tourism community.
At no cost, we helped in organizing more than 150 5G-livestreaming events for 100 scenic spots, cultural centers and museums. We also provided more than 20 provincial departments and some 150 municipal bureaus of culture and tourism with big data on return travels and passenger flow during the epidemic. We responded swiftly to the urgent call from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in developing a visitor-flow analysis system which reflected the situation in all 5A scenic spots in the country and providing uninterrupted data on population flow. We also supported many provincial culture and tourism departments in setting up reservation systems for scenic spots. More importantly, we installed AI body temperature measuring equipment at a large number of attractions. Performing the duty of a central enterprise and standing by the industry to overcome unprecedented challenges has become the guideline for my work in 2020.
Q2：Looking back at 2020 what do you think of the changes emerging in the tourism industry? Have you identified a new demand? What do you think the industry can do to meet such demand?
A: In 2020, the application of cloud technologies in tourism and exhibition business brought new marketing opportunities. Coordinated off-peak reservation, big data visitor-flow monitoring and 5G AI body temperature measuring technologies enabled scenic spots to reopen in an orderly manner while 5G+AR/VR immersive and interactive experiences provided destinations with new tourism service platforms. Although it has suffered a huge loss, the tourism industry has also benefited greatly from changes brought on by scientific and technological innovations. Intelligent management and service has become the central focus. Post-epidemic, smart technologies can provide strong support for the recovery and revitalization of the culture and tourism industry.
The tourism industry needs to embrace science and technology and optimize the New Infrastructure policies and technological platforms. It must play an active role in the construction of tourism intelligence and contribute to the development of high-quality tourism.
Q3: What are your expectations for 2021? If you are asked to describe 2021 with only one word or phrase what would it be? Why?
A: Duty
Currently, the culture and tourism industry is entrusted with the significant role of stimulating internal economic distribution, elevating consumption, promoting regional economy and supporting people’s aspirations for a better life. In the process, tourism intelligence plays a key role. Through smart technologies, destinations are better equipped to cope with epidemic-related uncertainties. They can implement science-based preventative measures and resume businesses safely. High-end tourists can enjoy upgraded services and experience authentic cultural values in various tourism activities. Intelligent means can be used to integrate resources at tourism destinations and create new business models, promote tourism consumption and boost local tourism economy. Integrating culture and tourism management systems at all levels for easy and effective administration can be accomplished through smart technologies. In 2021, while tourism continues to promote economic and social development, smart technologies must be given full play to achieve top quality tourism development and drive the domestic economic cycle.
China Unicom is one of the main builders of the New Infrastructure and a key force in leading the development of culture and tourism intelligence. In 2021, it is my hope to lead the Culture & Travel Expansion Department and fulfill our mission to empower the industry with science and technology and contribute to the overall development of high quality tourism.
Q4: Do you have any message for the global tourism community as we progress through 2021?
A: Let’s embrace science and technology and make good use of intelligent tools for a world-class tourism development.