Shanxi tourist income grows last year

North China's Shanxi province saw increases in both the number of tourists and tourist income in 2015, Shanxi Daily reported.

The province received 360 million domestic tourists in 2015, up by 20.22 percent over a year earlier, and had a tourist income of 344.75 billion yuan ($52.4 billion), up by 21.11 percent, with foreign exchange earnings from tourism reaching $297 million, up by 5.83 percent. The number of inbound tourists who stayed overnight reached 593,800, a year-on-year increase of 5.14 percent.

The provincial government took steps last year to promote reform and smooth development of the tourist industry.

For example, the ancient city of Pingyao, in central Shanxi province, was added to China's 5A scenic spots, the highest tourist site rating in China, in July, 2015. The province now has six 5A scenic spots, namely the Wutai Mountain scenic spot, the Yungang Grottoes, Imperial City, the Mianshan Mountain scenic spot, the Courtyard of Family Qiao, and the ancient city of Pingyao. The Yanmenguan scenic spot and the Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon scenic spot have passed the 5A rating quality review.

The province also put money into infrastructure and facilities improvement. It allocated 10 million yuan to setting up travel signboards along expressways across the province and 20 million yuan to constructing parking lots and pathways in rural tourist sites. An additional 178 million yuan was used in construction and renovation of 731 washrooms in the province.

New businesses and products, including motor homes camps, hot springs, water parks, and farming tourism, are available to expand the consumer market.

The government has also offered funds and policies to help people in rural areas escape poverty by developing rural tourism. In 2015, the provincial tourist bureau subsidized 32 villages.