Chongqing - With the onset of summer vacation, study tours are capturing the imagination of parents as a vibrant and stimulating alternative to traditional travel.
Investment in children's education is on the rise among Chinese parents, many of whom are endorsing study tours for their children. These tours include language classes, summer camps, university programs, sightseeing and global communication opportunities, and overseas trips during the summer vacation.
Recent data reveals that participation in study tours surged from 4.8 million in 2019 to a record-setting 6 million in 2022.
According to Xiao Yuanshan, an industry observer in the culture and tourism sector, study tours are eclipsing conventional sightseeing tours in popularity. This shift can be attributed to an evolving parental perspective on education and increased leisure time for children.
Children attended the summer camp during the holiday. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
Among the diverse themes of study tour offerings, those centered on history, humanities, outdoor nature, and science and technology have gained the most traction.
Options ranging from single-day excursions to scenic locations and exhibition halls to longer 5-9-day tours covering multiple destinations are in high demand.
Parents usually show distinct preferences when choosing study tour programs for their children. For instance, Ms. Chen prefers outdoor nature-themed study projects for her child. She believes these programs not only encourage her child to explore and appreciate the natural world but also extend their learning beyond the boundaries of traditional textbook education.
According to Luo Zibai, Chief Expert of the Yangtze River Tourism Research Base at the China Tourism Research Institute, study tours merge tourism and education, creating a unique and enduring travel experience. This lasting appeal of study tours resonates profoundly in contemporary society.
Despite the evident popularity of study tours, certain concerns warrant attention. There is ongoing dissatisfaction regarding the perceived lack of educational value in some study tours.
Children participated in the study tour during the summer holiday. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
It has been revealed that numerous study institutions, masquerading as providers of study tours, operate akin to travel agencies, levying higher fees than standard travel packages.
Industry insiders highlight several challenges faced by the study tour sector, including low barriers to entry, inconsistent service quality, and the lack of a comprehensive industry standard.
To tackle these issues, experts underscore the necessity of establishing guidelines and standards for study tours. They suggest that the future of study tours should emphasize the amalgamation of ideological and political education, parent-child interactions, and cultural tourism.
Moreover, Luo proposes that collective responsibility should be shared among the government, educational institutions, study tour organizations, and parents.
For example, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism should work together to develop specialized study tour curricula, set corresponding educational standards, and improve the overall ecosystem of study tours.
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