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To survive, the scenic area must first win the battle for time.

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2025-11-18


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Author | CAAPA Contracted Author

Editor-in-Chief | Yang Ming

Editor-in-charge | Jing Xiangyuan


Today, all tourist attractions are facing a harsh reality: a "battle for time" has already begun.


Tourists have all calculated a "time budget":


Going to a scenic spot takes two hours on the road, two hours in line, an hour for photos, and half an hour for a meal—and then… that’s it. Rushing around as if you’ve merely stamped your "check-in" on social media to mark your visit to the scenic area.


We often say that traveling is "spending money to buy experiences," but more often than not, what tourists actually purchase are "admission tickets" and "fragments of time."


Your enemy isn’t the scenic spot next door—but rather the new dramas on online platforms, the short videos on TikTok, the newly opened café downstairs, or even the comfy sofa back home where visitors relax.


Tourists have only so much time—why should it be divided among you? Winning this battle is the key for all scenic areas to survive—and even thrive—in the long run.







In the past, the scenic area used to do “The popularity business.” Attracting people with fame, collecting the ticket fee—and then mission accomplished. Tourists are “passersby,” who arrive, take a quick look, and leave—just a one-time transaction.


But now, this logic has stopped working. Smart tourist attractions are already doing it. “Staying-power business.” They go to great lengths to make you slow down, stay longer, and fully enjoy your time—transforming “passersby” into "Staying guests" once again "Repeat customer."

How to change? The key is simple: Stop seeing yourself as just a… "Attraction," but rather treat it as a "destination."


The attraction is just one stop on the itinerary—after all, the real destination is the journey itself. This shift is the ultimate key to winning the race against time.





Want to make tourists willingly "Wasting" time on you isn’t enough—no matter how many mountains and rivers there are. You need to show some real skill. Based on the author's experience, you can give it a try. Make good use of these four tools below. “Magic Key.”


The first key: Implantation "Time Capsule"—Creating "Slow" Scenes That Make People Feel Lost in Thought


Reflect for a moment—what’s the one thing you’d most love to do in the scenic area? Is it finding a shady spot, sitting down, enjoying the breeze, and doing absolutely nothing?


But Some tourism In the scenic area, it's even hard to find a comfortable bench.


This is exactly the problem. Tourists aren’t perpetual motion machines—they need “Breathing spaces.” These spaces are what I call “time capsules.” They can be:


A scenic café with a breathtaking view: Let you sit down and take your time. 30 Minutes, just for a cup of coffee and a slice of cloud.


A bookstore hidden among the woods: Offer a few great books, allowing visitors to enjoy a peaceful afternoon surrounded by birdsong.


A lawn where you can lie down: Don't always be writing “No Trespassing”—a designated area is marked off, inviting people to picnic, unwind, and watch their children run around.


When these captivating elements are introduced to the scenic area "In places where people feel at peace and comfortably waste time, tourists' stay duration naturally doubles." If tourists can't stay, all spending is just empty talk.


The second key: Stage a performance "Immersive Theater"—Crafting a "Sense of Participation" Where Everyone Is the Protagonist


Why are script murder games and escape rooms so popular? Once upon a time So, what about fire? Because they allow you to from “The audience” has become the “protagonist.”


Tourist attractions can also learn from this approach. Stop letting visitors simply act as "Audience members"—make sure they "get into the story."


Put on Hanfu, and you’ll instantly become a figure straight out of a painting: Whether in ancient towns or serene gardens, we offer high-quality Hanfu rentals and makeup services—so how can anyone resist snapping hundreds of photos?


Embark on a journey to learn from masters and experience intangible cultural heritage firsthand: set up a pottery studio or an oil-paper umbrella workshop, allowing visitors to craft their own souvenirs to take home—this is far more meaningful than buying ten fridge magnets.


Role-playing to unlock hidden storylines: Design treasure-hunting games and puzzle challenges that inspire visitors to embrace the joy of exploration during their tour.


When tourists begin When you're "playing" instead of "strolling," time slips away before you even realize it.


The third key: Illuminate “The Second Life” – Revitalizing the Vibrant “Night Economy”


Watching the scenery during the day and sleeping at night? That’s simply the biggest waste of resources for a scenic area!


At night, it's the scenic area's "Second Life" is the golden hour for creating entirely new experiences. A successful nighttime tour can directly transform visitors' "half-day trips" into "two-day adventures."


A breathtaking light and shadow show: Use technology to transform mountains and waters into a canvas, telling a touching story.


A lively starry-market: We’re not selling Yiwu’s mass-produced trinkets—instead, we offer creative cultural products, authentic local snacks, and handmade crafts.


A unique nighttime concert: Perform a folk or classical music concert at the foot of the mountain, by the lakeside—immediately elevating the atmosphere to its fullest.


Lighting up the night not only extends shopping and dining hours but also creates a romance and mystery that are entirely different from those of daytime.


The fourth key: Tell it well “Exclusive Story” — Crafting Irreplaceable “Memorable Moments”


Why is it that in some places, you visit and immediately forget, while others leave an unforgettable mark on your heart?


The difference lies in “Story.” The scenery may be similar, but the story is one-of-a-kind.


Each scenic area has its own "Exclusive stories" could be a legend, a historical figure, or a unique folk tradition. Your task is to unearth this story from the thick layers of available information. "Dig" it out, and "perform" it in a way that appeals to tourists.


When tourists leave with stories, they take away not just photos—but a vivid memory. This memory becomes the perfect talking point for recommending their experience to friends, and it also fuels their own desire to return again someday.

In short, Won Tourists Time has already won everything. These four keys will ultimately help you accomplish a revolution in your business model. —— From Ticket Economy Moving toward Experience Economy


Tickets, from now on, are just Admission ticket , is the beginning of building relationships. True profit comes from tourists being willing to pay for something wonderful. Time The premium paid. When tourists from Spending money to buy tickets Become Spend money to buy time, buy experiences, and buy peace of mind. , then you’ve truly won them over Heart Ticket





Written at the end


The scenic area's This这场 "At the end of the day, the 'battle for time' is ultimately a battle for values."


Tourists are willing to entrust their time to whoever offers greater value—value that no longer lies solely in the________ "Not just a beautiful view, but a wonderful experience, joyful participation, and lasting memories."


In the future, the competition among scenic areas will no longer hinge on how high the mountains are or how picturesque the waters may be—but rather on who can better understand human hearts, and who can make time more engaging and emotionally resonant.


(The article expresses only the author's views and does not represent the platform's stance. Feel free to leave a comment and engage in discussion with the author. )


CAAPA Key Event Recommendations


China Tourism Industry Professional Manager Qualification Training and Evaluation Program

Phase 1: Tourism and Resort Area Class

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