Analysis Of China's Tourism Policies & Their Impacts Since The Reform In 1978

Tourism in China has rapidly developed since China's adoption of the open-door policy in 1978. However, there is still little understanding of the roles by the Chinese government in the development of tourism. This thesis is an attempt to identify the said roles, esp., in developing the international inbound tourism. The period studied is from the year 1978, a turning point of China's modernization drive, to the present. Generally, the Chinese government has played the following roles: Operator--involving ownership and provision of the infrastructure for tourism development and operation of tourism business activities; Regulator--formulating and implementing regulations to control tourism business; Investment stimulator--stimulating tourism investment by offering financial incentives; Promoter--spending money in promoting tourism in the international market; Coordinator--coordinating activities of different governmental departments with respect to tourism; and Educator--establishing a system of tourism educational institutions and providing tourism educational and training programs. An analysis of the policies and government roles in China is made systematically in terms of demands, decisions, outputs and impacts from each of the three historical periods identified, namely 1978-1985, 1986-1991 and 1992 to the present. Finally, the thesis suggests some ideas and references for other developing countries to use in tourism development.