China plans to boost the country’s tourism industry through a series of new measures and spending. That’s according to guidance released by the State Council on Thursday. Analysts say consumption in domestic tourism will reach 5.5 trillion yuan by 2020.

Revenues in China’s tourism sector reached about 2.63 trillion yuan in 2013. That’s a 24.8 percent increase from 2008.

Analysts say tourism is an important part of China’s modern service industry.

“Tourism has a big impact on environmental protection and industrial structure adjustment. So, speeding up the development of the tourism sector could bring the comprehensive effects in different fields,” said Dai Xuefeng, Director of Tourism Research Center of CASS.

But a lot of problems still remain in China’s tourism industry. The new policies aim to help out by making it easing to invest in the sector.

“We will further support our own enterprises and we’ll also encourage the development of the intellectual property rights in those companies. Besides, we’d like to see mergers and restructuring in those tourism companies,” said Peng Fuwei, Deputy Director of Department of Social Development of NDRC.

The new guidance also includes measures to upgrade services within the tourism industry. Analysts say the measures will create jobs, boost local economies and most importantly, improve the quality of life.

Source:http://english.cntv.cn/2014/08/21/VIDE1408610285376639.shtml