Chongqing - Since the COVID-19, the International Cooperation and Exchanges Office of Chongqing China Culture and Tourism Promotion Center in Washington raises high awareness about the epidemic. At the same time, the office also utilizes rapid response and scientific coordination. It proactively invests in epidemic prevention and control work, effectively ensure that participation in the following-up work of inbound tourism. What the center is preparing for inbound tourism after the epidemic is to continuously promote Chongqing culture vigorously.

Hou Ying, the head of the International Cooperation and Exchanges Office of Chongqing China Culture and Tourism Promotion Center in Washington, said, "the epidemic situation had a relatively severe impact on our center. All group tours of February and March have been canceled, and many Chinese tourist products had been suspended, such as some Chongqing-connecting inbound tours and hard copies. Those products will not be available on the official website until after the COVID-19 and there are only digital versions on some website."

In order to reduce the impact of the COVID-19, the Chongqing China Culture and Tourism Promotion Center in Washington took some emergency measures.

In terms of product strategy, the promotion center will develop more Asia + China's joint products. After the epidemic, overseas visitors will be presented to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other big cities as much as possible. Afterward, the period of stay in China will be gradually increased, and the products of inbound tourism will be progressively put on the shelves, and regular sales will be resumed.

Moreover, the implementation of destination subsidy policies is particularly important. For example, the current Chongqing incentive policy is a typical case. Because of the copying process and requirements, only domestic travel agencies have time and human resources to prepare complicated documents and apply for subsidies, while the overseas travel agencies have limited access. It is hoped that after the epidemic, there is less paperwork to apply the subsidy so that the wholesalers could sell more Chinese tourist products.

"We believed that cultural promotion is particularly important. Cultural contents are a significant part of the output to attract inbound tourism. After the epidemic, Chongqing should reshape the city's positive image and promote the recovery of inbound tourism." Said Hou. Tourism and cultural industries are fused with each other. Chongqing should make use of the rich historical and folk cultural advantages of each region. Besides, with the help of inbound tourism, tourism and cultural industries can achieve market sharing and joint development.