The GDP of Zhangjiajie in the first half of 2014 grew by 9.5%, higher than Hunan’s average growth for the first time, and up 2.5% and 3.4% over the same period of 2013 and the full year of 2013 respectively. The tourists and travel income exceeded the national average level and rose by 11.4% and 14.5% respectively, 20.9 and 18.4 percentage points higher than that of the same period of last year. Scenic areas in Zhangjiajie received about 12.8 million tourists, bringing in travel revenue of 7.67 billion yuan, with a significant year-on-year increase.
In the first half of this year the number of take-off and landing flights at Zhangjiajie Lotus Airport increased by 10.5%, and the number of international flights increased by 62.3% over the same period of last year. The number of overseas tourists and tourists staying overnight in Zhangjiajie rose by 20.6% and 13.2% respectively.
Zhangjiajie’s travel has developed rapidly owing to the preferential policies for primary and high school students, self-driving tourists, and tourists by high-speed railway. In addition, a series of eye-catching marketing events, including wing-suit flying through the natural cave, climbing the “First Ladder in the World” in Zhangjiajie’s Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, and cyclers with DIY colored painting in parts of their body, have played a positive role in attracting more tourists to Zhangjiajie and promoting Zhangjiajie into the international travel market.
Translator: Wang Xiaolu
Source: Hunan Official Web Portal