Tourism seen as cure for poverty in central, west regions

China is continuing its efforts to lift 12 million people out of poverty by 2020 through developing rural tourism.

The China National Tourism Administration said in its 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) that it will work with other agencies to provide support for 22,600 villages, including improving transportation, telecommunications, and sewage and garbage treatment facilities. It said tourism experts will draft a workable design for developing rural tourism, as well as setting up monitoring centers to provide aid flexibly.

While urban Chinese are known for frequent outbound trips and spending power, many in rural areas are steeped in poverty. According to the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, of China's 592 poorest counties, 217 are in the central region, and the rest are in the west. More than 230 of these impoverished counties are in regions inhabited by ethnic people.