The fourth-quarter and 2009 national tourist satisfaction survey and analysis reports were released January 21.

According to the report, the annual comprehensive tourist satisfaction index for 2009 stood at 79.8 (full score is 100). In terms of 3 major markets, the annual outbound tourist satisfaction index was 87.83, the annual inbound tourist satisfaction index was 87.43 and domestic tourist satisfaction index was 83.46.

In terms of various sectors, the degree of satisfaction for tourist spots maintained a high level, while the degrees for travel agency service and tourists shopping were generally at a low level.

The degree of tourist satisfaction in western cities was relatively higher and the annual comprehensive tourist satisfaction indices of Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Hangzhou were relatively higher than other cities among the 50 surveyed cities.

The China Tourism Academy, entrusted by the National Tourism Administration, started conducting the national tourist satisfaction survey in the second quarter of 2009.

In 2009, there was a noticeable trend where China's domestic tourists started to became cost-conscious, favoring short and medium-haul travel.

China's inbound tourists have become cost-conscious as well, while China's outbound tourists showed high education backgrounds, high incomes and high spending.

Editor: Lency

Source: People's Daily Online