Does the Belt and Road Initiative Boost Tourism Economy?

By Michael Ferguson

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a massive infrastructure project that aims to connect China with more than 60 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa. The BRI has been touted as a game-changer for global trade and investment, but what about tourism?

Does the BRI boost tourism economy? Let’s take a closer look.

What is the Belt and Road Initiative?

The Belt and Road Initiative is a plan to build a network of railways, highways, ports, airports, and other infrastructure projects that will connect China with countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa. The initiative was first proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 and has since become one of the largest infrastructure projects in history.

How does the BRI affect tourism?

The Belt and Road Initiative has the potential to boost tourism in many ways. First, by improving infrastructure such as roads, railways, airports, and ports in participating countries, it will become easier for tourists to travel between different destinations. This increased connectivity can lead to an increase in domestic tourism as well as international tourism.

Secondly, the BRI can help to promote cultural exchange between different countries. As more people travel between participating countries for business or leisure purposes, they will have the opportunity to experience new cultures and learn about different customs. This can lead to an increase in cultural tourism as well.

Examples of how the BRI is boosting tourism

China’s investment in Pakistan under the CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) project has led to an increase in tourism in Pakistan. According to Pakistan’s Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), “the number of Chinese tourists visiting Pakistan increased by 60% from 2016 to 2017.” This increase is attributed to improved infrastructure such as roads and airports built under CPEC.

Similarly, Sri Lanka’s Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport was built with Chinese funding under the BRI. The airport is located in a remote area, but it has the potential to become a hub for tourism in the region. Sri Lanka hopes that the airport will attract more tourists from China and other Asian countries.

Conclusion

The Belt and Road Initiative has the potential to boost tourism in participating countries by improving infrastructure, promoting cultural exchange, and creating new tourism opportunities. However, it’s important to note that the success of the initiative will depend on how well participating countries can work together to implement projects and create an environment that is conducive to tourism.