China's tourism needs more than rice cookers

The tourism boom brought on by Chinese outbound travelers during the recent Tomb Sweeping Day holiday has pushed hotel room reservations to more than 90 percent in Japan where tourists rush to see the cherry blossom during April.

The news follows Chinese travelers' frenzy in purchasing electronic toilet seats and electric rice cookers from Japan during Spring Festival this year.

Heavy spending overseas by wealthy Chinese tourists has resulted in debates among Chinese tourism officials and industry players on how to stimulate the domestic tourism sector.