The cultural tourism market is evolving rapidly and facing an unprecedented transformation. It is no longer just about traditional "scenic spot competition," but has upgraded to a battle for "attractiveness economy." The rise of internet celebrity effects, support from national policies, the influence of mass media, and changes in tourist consumption habits are all reconstructing the operational landscape of cultural tourism.
In 2024, the "open-book" examination for cultural tourism operations has already begun. With a massive tourism demand boom, limited holidays, thriving cultural tourism hotspots, classic and exemplary successful cases, and a myriad of cultural tourism projects, how should we choose and perform well in this "open-book exam" that is both known and unknown?
Cre pic: Phuguodaoyou
Let’s take a look at the predicted trends for the cultural tourism industry in 2024.
1. Personalized Experience
Consumers’ demands for travel experiences are gradually diversifying. Cultural tourism enterprises need to provide personalized services and products to meet the needs and expectations of different tourists. This includes customized travel routes, themed accommodation experiences, and unique cultural activities.
2. The Rise of Themed Tourism
Themed tourism is gradually becoming a trend. For example, themes such as food, movies, and anime allow tourists to choose suitable themes for travel based on their interests.
3. Digital Transformation
Digital technology has become a core competitive advantage in the cultural tourism industry. By applying big data, artificial intelligence, and other technologies, companies can better understand consumer needs, improve service quality and efficiency, and provide tourists with more convenient and intelligent travel experiences.
4. Smart Tourism
Smart tourism refers to using advanced information technology and management models to provide tourists with more convenient and intelligent travel services. For example, mobile apps and smart guides can provide personalized travel guides and recommendations for tourists.
Cre pic: Pinterest
5. Cross-Industry Integration
The cross-industry integration of the cultural tourism sector with other industries has become a trend. By collaborating with fields such as art, technology, and fashion, cultural tourism enterprises can create richer and more diverse products and services to meet the ever-changing demands of consumers.
6. Penetration of the Sharing Economy
The application of the sharing economy in the cultural tourism industry is gradually increasing, such as shared accommodations and shared transportation. This model not only reduces costs but also offers tourists more flexible and convenient services.
Cre pic: Baidu
7. Integration of Tourism and Health
As people pay more attention to health, the integration of tourism and health has become a new trend. For example, hot spring therapy, yoga tourism, and fitness tourism allow tourists to focus on their health while traveling.
8. Combining Tourism and Education
Tourism not only relaxes the body and mind but also broadens horizons. Therefore, the combination of tourism and education has also become a trend. For example, student groups can participate in study tours, conducting field research to gain deeper insights into local culture and history.
Cre pic: Xiaohongshu
9. Integration of Tourism and Art
Art plays an increasingly important role in tourism. More and more tourists choose to visit museums, art exhibitions, and other cultural activities to experience local culture and history through art. Cultural tourism enterprises can collaborate with artists to hold art exhibitions, concerts, and other activities.
10. Rural Tourism
An increasing number of tourists are showing interest in rural tourism. They wish to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, experience the tranquility of rural life, and enjoy the beauty of nature and fresh air. Cultural tourism enterprises can develop rural tourism projects, offering farmhouse stays and other unique services to meet tourists' needs.
11. Culinary Tourism
Cuisine is an important part of tourism. More and more tourists choose to taste local specialties and learn about local flavors and culture. Cultural tourism enterprises can collaborate with local food businesses to launch culinary tourism routes and products, catering to tourists' culinary desires.
12. Community-Based Tourism
Community-based tourism is a new way of traveling that brings together tourists with similar interests and needs to participate in travel activities and share experiences, enhancing interaction and a sense of belonging among tourists.
Bringing Cultural Tourism to lively
Whether the cultural tourism market can digest these industry hotspots and trends is an important issue currently the industry facing. From various perspectives, including market demand, competitive landscape, economic environment, and industry policies, the cultural tourism market has the capacity and potential to absorb these industry trends.
Cultural tourism enterprises must continuously innovate and improve themselves, keeping pace with the changing trends and consumer demands. Governments and all sectors of society should also provide support and encouragement to promote the sustainable development of the cultural tourism industry.
Although the cultural tourism industry faces a series of problems and challenges, as long as enterprises can stay attuned to the times and continue to innovate and improve, the future of the cultural tourism industry will be even brighter.
