Cooperative mechanism established for China's tourism recovery

Nearly 90 research institutes, associations, theme parks and resorts, and travel companies from both home and abroad teamed up Friday to form a cooperation mechanism in a bid to revive the epidemic-hit tourism industry in China.

Initiated by the China Travel Academy, China Tourist Attractions Association and China Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the newly established mechanism called for strengthened epidemic-control measures while resuming operation, timely exchange of information and mutual assistance between all its members.

Key tourist attractions, travel companies nationwide and international tourism groups like Merlin Entertainments have joined in the mechanism, as well as major telecommunication operators and e-commerce service providers like Meituan Dianping.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the overall revenue of China's parks and resorts decreased by 90 percent year on year during the 2020 Spring Festival holiday and is estimated to drop by 80 percent for the first quarter of 2020, according to the China Tourist Attractions Association.

Some resorts have resumed operations since late February with strict measures in place to protect tourists from the epidemic.