China to expand IT in tourism to boost industry growth
China is set to increase the use of information technology in tourism to help the sector grow, according to a government report. Certain tourist areas will offer free Wi-Fi, online reservations and audio guides for visitors by 2020. The government is also aiming for online travel costs to amount to about 20% of total tourist spending. In a bid to ensure safety for visitors and tourists, the government has also said it will extend environmental monitoring and video surveillance in some tourist areas. China aims to increase annual investment in tourism to CNY2tn ($290bn) by 2020, up from CNY1.3tn yuan in 2016.

Editor: zhangrui 丨Xinhua

03-08-2017 07:07 BJT

BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- China plans to promote the use of information technology in tourism to boost the sector's growth by 2020, according to a government plan released Tuesday.

All tourist areas classified as 4A sites or above will offer free WiFi, audio guides, online reservations and other information services by 2020, according to the plan by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).

The 4A rating is the second highest in a five-level assessment system.

The plan set a target for investment in online tourism businesses to account for 15 percent or more of total tourism investment.

By 2020, online travel spending should take up at least 20 percent of total tourist spending, according to the plan.

It also said video surveillance and environmental monitoring in tourist areas will increase to ensure safety.

Tourism plays a key part in China as the country moves to build an economy driven by the service sector and consumer spending rather than trade and investment.

China aims to increase annual investment in the tourism sector to 2 trillion yuan (290 billion U.S. dollars) by 2020, up from 1.3 trillion yuan in 2016.