Cruise passengers in Tianjin municipality will be able to shop at tax-free stores by the end of the year, the top tourism official in the port city said on Monday.
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The policy is one of many being introduced by the coastal city to boost what the government calls the "aero-amphibious" tourism industry - visitors who travel by caravans, passenger liners and helicopters.
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She Qingwen, the top tourism official in Tianjin, said the first group of tax-free stores is expected to be set up this year in Dongjiang, a homeport for passenger liners in Tianjin.
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Dongjiang is the largest homeport for international cruises in North China and served as a stopping point for 36 passenger liners last year, accommodating more than 120,000 travelers. The city served as a stopping point for 82 cruise passenger liners from 2010 to 2012.
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He expects the industry to boom this year, after the tax-free stores and other incentives are introduced.
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He estimated more than 90 passenger liners will set off from Tianjin for destinations worldwide, with at least 300,000 tourists on board.
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"Among these travelers, about 60 percent of the passengers will come from Beijing, including travelers from other places to the capital and Beijing locals," he said.
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The city is working with other coastal cities around Bohai Bay to set up a combined tourism line, which would allow cruise passengers to take a private car onboard.
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Li Juan, who took a passenger liner trip to Japan in 2010, said she would be interested in trying a combined trip.
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"I have a baby, so it might be inconvenient to travel by air. On a cruise, kids have much more room to walk around. Besides, to take a car onboard with us is also convenient for a family with kids," Li said.
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She Qingwen, the top tourism official in Tianjin, said the passenger line business is very profitable for the local government and can help grow the equipment manufacturing industry.
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"Tourism and the equipment manufacturing industry complement and promote each other," he said.
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Cruise passengers in Tianjin municipality will be able to shop at tax-free stores by the end of the year, the top tourism official in the port city said on Monday.
