JOURNEY TO RECOVERY
The Old Town of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination in Yunnan Province, southwest China, is a prime example of how the tourism industry, one of the worst affected by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic, is bouncing back.
In the first quarter of the year, the ancient town, one of the best preserved in China, saw its tourism industry suffer an over 80-percent plunge in its revenue but since May, it is ringing with cheers and laughter again. Night life has resumed its vibrancy with couples strolling across the picturesque stone bridges over streams lit up by water lanterns, while music and the aroma of food waft up from the alleys.
The five-day May Day holiday saw the scenic spot’s tourist arrivals recover by 70 percent compared with the same period last year as the epidemic was brought under control in China.
Wang Zhongguo runs a bar in Lijiang. It was closed for three months due to the epidemic and has the local government has announced a raft of policies to help businesses. His bar, for example, has had taxes amounting to 170,000 yuan ($24,252) exempted and its rent waived for a certain period, which saved him 3 million yuan ($427,972).
