Spring in bloom, tourism on the rise

Editor's note: Consumption during spring has become a significant economic driver, with blooming flowers becoming major tourist attractions. With the "flower-viewing economy" and increasing domestic travel becoming seasonal trends, spring consumption is reshaping China's economic landscape. Three experts share their views on the issue with China Daily.

Spring has long been a cherished season of Chinese travelers. As China enters a new phase of mass tourism, the "seven holidays and two seasons" — New Year's Day, Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day holidays, and the summer and winter travel seasons — have become the barometer of the tourism economy. With the introduction of new policies to boost consumption, increase supply of cultural and tourism products, and the push for granting paid leave, the time is ripe for cultivating a robust spring tourism season.

Across China, tourism authorities are introducing time-sensitive and emotionally engaging concepts including "flower maps" and "green routes" to develop what's known as the "flower-viewing economy". As plum and cherry blossom, magnolias, peonies spread their fragrance, and swaths of rapeseed flowers bloom in succession from south to north, local governments are unveiling special flower-viewing routes.