Nigeria’s The Guardian published a report on July 25 titled "Why Nigeria Must Learn from China’s Tourism and Cultural Innovation" by journalist Ngozi Egejuka, excerpted below:
Beijing, widely recognized as China’s political and innovation hub, is a skyscraper-filled metropolis with global technological ambitions. Yet beyond its political and economic influence lies an underreported narrative: tourism as a pillar of soft power and economic strategy.
At popular attractions, most visitors aren’t foreigners but domestic travelers crossing provinces for unique experiences. At every site, I witnessed Chinese citizens bustling with excitement as they entered. Tour groups, led by guides narrating history in Mandarin through microphones, moved through the spaces. Many young visitors arrived camera-ready in themed outfits, while parents pushed strollers—some brought their own, others rented onsite.
Zuma Rock, source: network
Clearly, China’s tourism infrastructure extends far beyond preserved relics. In 2024 alone, Beijing generated over ¥672.2 billion in tourism revenue, including $4.9 billion from international visitors.
The Forbidden City—the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties in central Beijing—retains at least 8,600 rooms. Though some structures suffered damage from lightning or fire over centuries, its grandeur remains intact.
The Great Wall, a monumental testament to human resilience, draws thousands daily to iconic sections like Juyong Pass. Today, it hosts international marathons and educational tours amid breathtaking landscapes.
The Capital Museum showcases 700,000 years of local history, from Paleolithic tools to socialist-era artifacts. Its appeal lies not only in extensive collections but in cutting-edge tech: touchscreens, VR, AI-assisted guides, and automated lighting make it one of the world’s most visitor-friendly museums.
Notably, nearly 50% of vehicles on Beijing’s roads are green-plated NEVs (new energy vehicles), including electric buses. By late 2023, China’s NEV fleet exceeded 20 million units.
China’s dual commitment to preserving heritage and embracing green innovation offers valuable lessons for Nigeria as it maintains its own historical sites. Studies show Nigeria has over 1,000 tourist destinations—including two UNESCO World Heritage sites—yet many citizens remain unaware of them, let alone foreign tourists. Challenges like security risks, infrastructure gaps, economic instability, and poor marketing compound tourism’s unrealized potential.
Efem Ubi, an expert at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, emphasized China’s replicable strategies: "China upgraded its tourism sector by leveraging local advantages. Near a desert town in Ningxia, locals combating desertification transformed their efforts into a tourist attraction. They seize every opportunity to maximize resources."
Ubi outlined three governmental approaches: "Go with the flow, disrupt the status quo, or strengthen self-reliance. If a nation can’t adapt, it must innovate; if innovation fails, it must persevere. China exemplifies this."
Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen
Editor Ⅱ: Bao Gang
Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong
