Xiamen Gulangyu Scenic Area Reopened: Overcoming the Current Difficulties and Rejuvenating Time | Gulangyu | Xiamen City | Covid-19

Original Title: Xiamen Gulangyu Scenic Area Reopened: A Time to Recover from the Current Difficulties

(Fighting against New Coronary Pneumonia) Xiamen Gulangyu Scenic Area Reopened: A Time to Overcome the Difficulties and Rejuvenate

China News Service, Xiamen, October 7 (Reporter Yang Fushan) After the whole city has worked together to fight the epidemic, community transmission of the epidemic prevention and control in Xiamen City has been basically blocked, and the risk of social transmission has been basically eliminated. On the 6th, the famous tourist attraction Gulangyu Scenic Area ushered in the reopening.

A reporter from Chinanews.com went to the island for the first time to experience Gulangyu after the reopening. On the streets of Gulangyu, where tourists are full of tourists, only Xiamen citizens are competing to go out to relax, helping the old and the young, walking slowly; only a small number of shops along the street open to welcome customers.

Most of the service industries that have suffered the brunt of the “injury” in this round of the epidemic are also closing their doors behind closed doors. Lin Conghai, president of the Gulangyu Family Hotel Merchants Association, said in an interview with a reporter from Chinanews.com that the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day are the traditional peak season for Xiamen’s tourism industry.

“The epidemic also tells us that it takes a long time for recovery to return to normal passenger flow.” He said that the epidemic has caused most family hotel practitioners to be trapped, and it urgently needs government policy support, landlord understanding and support, and the industry itself. Help yourself, overcome the difficulties together, and get through this most difficult period.

Lin Conghai has been a family hotel in Gulangyu for more than 10 years. In his impression, after years of development, the Gulangyu homestay industry reached its heyday in 2016 and experienced a decline in 2019. It was a market phenomenon that naturally adjusted after its prosperity. The rounds of epidemics starting in 2020 have affected the family hotel industry. It caused heavy losses, resulting in the number of practitioners dropping from more than 400 to 243 at the end of August, with 40 closed.

He hopes that the relevant government departments can give some policy support to this industry, such as giving certain policy preferential treatment to guests staying on the island, and opening up a “green channel” for them to go to the island that is different from ordinary tourists.

The voice of Gulangyu family hotel operators has been conveyed to the managers of the scenic spot. Lin Yuefeng, deputy secretary of the Xiamen City Siming District Committee and director of the Gulangyu Management Committee, said in an exclusive interview with a reporter from Chinanews.com in Gulangyu that he has understood the hopes expressed by the industry that the whole society will pay common attention. “The Gulangyu Management Committee is working hard to formulate relevant measures to restore and promote the development of the tourism economy. It is hoped that the government, enterprises and all sectors of society will work together to overcome the difficulties and promote the recovery of the entire tourism industry.”

Since the outbreak of this round of the Xiamen epidemic, Gulangyu has insisted on two hands, one for epidemic prevention and control, and the other for economic and social development, and has never relaxed. Lin Yuefeng told reporters that during this round of the epidemic, Gulangyu was committed to preventing and controlling the epidemic and blocking the invasion of the epidemic. From now on, the measures taken are effective.

“Gulangyu took the lead in launching this work after the relevant departments at higher levels deployed and carried out the creation of a disease-free community.” He said.

Lin Yuefeng said that the Gulangyu Management Committee has planned to introduce a number of measures to promote the development of Gulangyu’s tourism economy, which can be summarized in four sentences: discounts for travel, subsidies for housing, reductions and exemptions for business, and enjoyment in Qindao.

Specifically, these measures include: discount of coupon tickets for state-owned core scenic spots on Gulangyu Island from 90 yuan to 60 yuan; and issuance of accommodation vouchers to consumers who stay in hotels and family hotels under management on Gulangyu Island, according to the first, second, and third nights. A subsidy of 30 yuan per room night, 40 yuan per room night, and 50 per room night is given, with a maximum of 3 nights.

For those renting non-residential public houses directly managed by the Gulangyu Housing Management Office for production and operation, and the ultimate tenant is a non-state-owned enterprise, non-government institution, the rent will be free in September and the rent will be halved in October. Encourage other business real estate owners to reduce or defer rent payment for tenants.

At the same time, cultural activities such as high-level special concerts, performances and performances will be held regularly to continuously enhance the artistic charm of Gulangyu “Music Island”.

Lin Yuefeng said that these measures will be implemented after the holiday, and accommodation vouchers will be issued from October 10 this year on a first-come, first-served basis. Each consumer can only receive and use it once. (over)