Package tours to resume in China after nearly six months: Tourism made up 10% of China GDP in 2019

July 17, 2020

BEIJING -- After a nearly six-month shutdown, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) has issued a directive calling for resumption of the domestic tourism trade in all regions with a low coronavirus risk.

Caixin reports that the order means travel agencies and online tour companies, which have been dormant since January, will once again be able to sell inter-provincial group package tours -- a big part of their core business.

The move follows growing calls for authorities to lift domestic tourism bans to help lead a broad economic recovery effort since the epidemic was brought broadly under control in China.

The tourism sector contributed more than a tenth of the country's GDP last year, according to the Ministry. www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).