Hunan Sees Nearly 300 Million Ecotourism Visits in 2024

Hunan received 296 million tourist trips in the ecotourism sector in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 4.63%, according to recent data from the Hunan Provincial Forestry Department. The total tourism revenue exceeded 176.1 billion CNY, up 1.73% year on year. These results demonstrate that 'lucid waters and lush mountains' are invaluable assets, further facilitating the transformation from ecological beauty to economic prosperity.

Last year, the number of tourist arrivals and comprehensive revenue in the ecotourism industry in Hunan experienced a slight peak in May, followed by a steady upward trend from June to August, with the highest figures recorded in October. The overall trend aligned with holiday figures, showing significant increase in both visits and tourism revenue during various holiday periods.

Local tourists continue to dominate the market. Residents from the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan City Cluster registered a return visit rate of 40% to surrounding ecotourism attractions. The sources of tourists from outside the province have been further expanded, with the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta regions being the main sources of tourists, accounting for 25% and 20% of the total visitors, respectively.

Featured ecotourism products have become a leverage for Hunan to attract tourists. Focusing on seasonal themes such as "enjoying flowers in spring," "escaping from summer heat," "appreciating autumn foliage," and "viewing snow scenery in winter," more than 10 tourism activities were held across Hunan in 2024. In light of its wetland ecosystem, the Dongting Lake area launched the Dongting Lake International Cycling Race. The event attracted over 1,000 participants from more than 20 countries and regions worldwide. During the race period, the number of visitors to the surrounding scenic areas increased by 60%.

According to statistics, the consumption structure of tourists engaged in ecotourism in Hunan has shown an optimizing trend. In addition to conventional spending on transportation, accommodation, and catering, the demand for ecological experience projects has also increased. Activities such as forest adventures, birdwatching in wetlands, and river tracing in canyons have seen a significant increase in participation, with an average per capita consumption of 400 CNY. In terms of personalized services, high-end customized ecotourism routes and private tour guide services have been favored by high-net-worth tourists, with an average per capita consumption exceeding 3,000 CNY.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn