Tourism
Chongqing's tourism enterprises, which have yet to fully recover from the shadow of the earthquake, are once again facing the impact of a global financial storm. The overseas tourist sources for Chongqing's Three Gorges cruise ships are expected to drop by at least 50% next year. Yesterday, the two-day "Yutai Mountain? China Western Tourism Creative Forum" concluded in Fuling. Wang Ping, President of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Tourism Chamber of Commerce, stated: "This global financial storm has already arrived. Tourism enterprises should unite to save themselves and emerge in the new round of the economy."
A sudden drop in overseas orders for the Three Gorges cruises
The financial storm that has just spread domestically has already made Chongqing's tourism enterprises unable to cope. The first to be affected are the Three Gorges cruise ships primarily targeting markets such as Europe and America, with orders for next year having dropped by at least 50%. According to tradition, between August and November each year, the Three Gorges cruise ships will sign orders for the following year with travel agencies in Europe, America, and other places. Liu Yan, Vice President of New Century Cruise Company, said that the current order situation is not ideal, and it is estimated that overseas tourists will decrease by nearly 50% next year. Viking Company may abandon one of the two cruise ships previously contracted from New Century Cruise Company next year. Meanwhile, even if there were previous orders, it cannot be ruled out that some guests might cancel their trips.
It is understood that the customer base for Chongqing's Three Gorges cruise ships is mainly distributed in Europe, America, Hong Kong, Macao, Southeast Asia, and other places. Taking New Century Cruise Company as an example, in recent years, its European and American customers accounted for 60%~70%, while Southeast Asian customers accounted for about 20%.
Turning domestically to expand the customer base
Perhaps the saying "When one side is dark, the other shines" aptly describes the current mindset of the Three Gorges cruise companies. Liu Yan clearly stated that they have started focusing on the domestic market and developing conference tourism products.
She said that the impact of the financial storm has already become apparent. They began planning countermeasures at the end of last month and have now begun implementing them. First, through their travel agency, they are expanding the domestic customer base. At the same time, they are redesigning tourism products, using cruise ships as mobile hotels, and promoting cruise conference tourism products.
A senior person in Chongqing's tourism industry believes that the operation methods for domestic and overseas markets are completely different, making it difficult for cruise companies to switch. He thinks: "Next year will be the hardest year, and the domestic tourist market may not be able to save them."
Uniting to resist the financial storm
"Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should unite to resist this storm." Wang Ping, President of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Tourism Chamber of Commerce, believes that SMEs must come together to enhance their ability to compete in the market.
The tourism industry is a combination of various industries, and any impact on a real industry may affect tourism. Wang Ping said that the current financial storm will inevitably lead to further tightening of funds for SMEs. The inherently fragile tourism enterprises will find it difficult to withstand the storm alone. Growing larger through unity is one way out. She said that SMEs have reached a bottleneck in their development. Only through uniting can they save themselves and secure a place in the new round of economic adjustments. Chongqing's tourism enterprises are no exception and should form such alliances.
Tourism? Advice
Diversified operations to avoid risks
When the financial storm arrives, uniting may help overcome immediate difficulties, but when the next storm comes, the same tragedy may repeat itself. Therefore, the fundamental solution is to strengthen oneself, specialize, and focus on enhancing long-term risk avoidance and resistance capabilities. Liu Fang, President of Chongqing Tourism Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of CTS Group, believes: Chongqing's travel agencies are too weak in overall strength and have single businesses, relying solely on organizing and receiving groups to make money. In the long term, diversification should be implemented, shifting towards scenic spots, hotels, and other parts of the industrial chain to disperse risks, thereby enhancing competitive strength.