The tourism industry in Hubei, the province hit hardest by COVID-19 in China, is gradually recovering.
Scenic areas, museums and hotels have been actively marketing themselves through livestreams and short videos. They’re also offering discounts (打折) for visitors with extra Hongbao.
Travelers must make reservations so that attractions (景点) can limit visitor numbers in real time.
They must also present their health QR codes and have his or her body temperature checked at the entrances. And they’re required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Dining halls require customers to eat separately and use serving chopsticks.
Hubei’s Shennongjia National Park reopened its scenic areas on March 25 with daily visitor numbers limited at 30 percent or less of its capacity.
“Shennongjia is known as a natural oxygen bar. This is typically its peak visitor season because of the blooming flowers and good weather. Visitor volumes are recovering,” Ming Lei says.
“Visitors enjoy the unique fauna and flora. Many ride horses, practice archery and see cute spotted deer.”
Many visitors drive themselves. Most are from Hubei, especially Wuhan, Yichang and Xiangyang cities. Some independent travelers arrive by motorcycle or bicycle, he says.
The park received over 184,000 visits between the reopening and May 12, a 50 percent decrease over the same period last year.
Before May 1, travelers could visit Shennongjia’s six scenic areas for free. From May 1 until June 25, visitors can buy a ticket for all these zones at the reduced price of 169 yuan ($24).
Yichang’s Tribe of the Three Gorges scenic area has suspended its indoor performances and closed a cave that contains narrow spaces.
Tourists can still enjoy open-air performances of ethnic Tujia wedding ceremonies and folk-culture shows.
“We’re cooperating with online influencers to market the scenic spot…It’s an efficient way to promote the stunning scenery and cultural items that tourists like to buy as souvenirs,” says Qu Jiachun.
He hopes greater government support and media exposure (曝光) can speed up the tourism industry’s recovery.
Wuhan’s tourism recovery started later than other cities’ in the province because of its situation during the epidemic.
9. How did Scenic areas, museums and hotels in Hubei market themselves?
A.send out brochures | B.have body temperature checked |
C.use livestreams and short videos | D.visitors’ feelings |
10. When was Hubei’s Shennongjia National Park open to the public again?
A.on March 25 | B.May 12 | C.June 25 | D.May 1 |
11. Which of the following is true?
A.Travelers could visit Shennongjia’s all zones for free before May 1. |
B.You could see indoor performance in Yichang’s Tribe of the Three Gorges scenic area then. |
C.Qu Jiachun means they should work online all day if they want more visitors to come. |
D.Wuhan’s tourism recovery started later than other cities’ in the province. |
12. What is the text?
A.A travel journey. | B.A news report. |
C.An advertisement.(广告) | D.A film review. |