What makes Guangdong the first stop for inbound visitors to China?

By Sijie Yuan, SFC, 21st Century Business Herald

On the evening of 22 October, the Launch Ceremony of the "Discover Guangdong" Global Campaign for Guangdong Inbound Tourism was held at the Canton Tower. The event was hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province and jointly organized by Trip.com Group and Tripadvisor.
 
Serving as Guangdong's invitation to global cultural and tourism collaboration, this initiative represents a strategic move to enhance the province's international profile in inbound tourism and accelerate the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into a world-class travel destination.
 
Over 300 international travel merchants and influencers from over 60 countries and regions gathered atop the iconic Canton Tower. Together, they immersed themselves in local culture, savored Cantonese culinary delights, and explored surprises, embarking on an in-depth and multi-sensory journey through Guangdong's vibrant heritage and modern allure.
 
As China's key source market and gateway for inbound travelers, Guangdong has consistently led the nation's inbound tourism since 2023. In the first half of 2025, the province welcomed over 39.31 million international visitors, generating USD 13.6 billion in tourism revenue, with both visitor numbers and revenue soaring over 30% year-on-year.
 
Following the ceremony, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province will organize 100 of these international travel merchants and influencers to embark on a two- to four-day immersive tour across eight cities, including Shenzhen, Shaoguan, Huizhou, and Chaozhou. The participants will be divided into three groups to explore different routes. Through photos, videos, and dynamic posts on global social media platforms, they will share their firsthand experiences, showcasing Guangdong's unique charm and splendor to audiences worldwide.
 
(实习生周家礼对报道亦有贡献）
 
（作者：袁思杰 编辑：和佳）