The “Action Plan on the Increase of Silver-Haid Tourism Trains to Promote the Development of Service Consumption” was released on February 11, 2025. The action plan proposes to include the aging-friendly, green and comfortable transformation of Yinfa Tourism Trains in the scope of large-scale equipment renewal and consumer goods trade-in support, and develop Yinfa Tourism Trains’ themed tourism routes and products.
China on February 11, 2025 unveiled an action plan to expand and improve senior-friendly tourism train services. Measures will be taken to upgrade the trains to be more age-friendly, green and comfortable, which will also be supported by China’s large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in program, and to develop theme travel routes and products tailored to seniors, according to the action plan.
The picture shows passengers taking a photo on the “Silk Road” cool-themed silver-haired train. Image source: China News Network
【Knowledge Points】
Yinfa Tourist Train is a tourist train mainly developed for elderly customers, meets the specific needs of elderly customers, and runs with elderly customers as the main group. In recent years, tourism trains have continued to develop and service quality has been continuously improved, and have been favored by “silver-haired” tourists. At present, the degree of aging in my country continues to deepen, and the elderly consumer group continues to expand. The addition of silver-factor tourism trains is of positive significance to innovating the supply of tourism services, enhancing the welfare of the elderly, and expanding service consumption. The 2024 Central Economic Work Conference clearly requires that we should step up efforts to implement large-scale equipment renewal and consumer goods trade-in policies, innovate diversified consumption scenarios, expand service consumption, promote the development of cultural tourism, and actively develop the silver economy. The “Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development of Service Consumption” issued by the State Council in August 2024 clearly requires “adding silver-hailed tourism trains, carrying out age-friendly and comfortable transformation of the carriages, and enriching tourism routes and service supply.”
The “Action Plan on Increased Silver Tourism Trains to Promote the Development of Service Consumption” (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”) jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the National Development and Reform Commission and other nine units proposed that by 2027, it will be built to cover the whole country. The Yinfa Tourism Train Product System has a variety of routes, rich themes and comprehensive services. The Yinfa Tourism Train Service Standard System has been basically established to form a number of themed tourism train brands. The number of Yinfa Tourism Trains and passenger transport volume have achieved significant growth compared with 2024. According to reports, this move aims to better meet the tourism service needs of silver-haired groups and cultivate new growth points for service consumption.
The “Plan” puts forward 12 key tasks in four aspects: increasing the supply of Yinfa tourist train services, strengthening the guarantee of elderly-friendly facilities, improving the service level of Yinfa tourist trains, and optimizing the development environment of Yinfa tourist trains. In terms of increasing the supply of Yinfa tourist train services, we will improve the tourism train operation guarantee mechanism, make good use of railway transportation resources, and support and guide all types of business entities to participate in the development and operation of Yinfa tourist trains and tourism railway lines. In terms of strengthening the guarantee of aging-friendly facilities, we will study and formulate relevant standards for the aging-friendly and comfortable transformation of Yinfa tourist trains, and promote the aging-friendly transformation of stations and supporting facilities and equipment. In terms of improving the service level of Yinfa Tourist Train, appropriately allocate medical and elderly care professional service personnel, and make it clear that the medical expenses incurred on the train can be settled in medical insurance in other places in accordance with relevant regulations, and support special food, time-honored products, intangible cultural heritage skills, etc. on the train. In terms of optimizing the development environment of Yinfa Tourism Trains, the development of Yinfa Tourism Trains will be an important part of promoting service consumption, included in the scope of local government policy support for consumption promotion and practical things for the people, and at the same time, the tourism insurance products will be optimized.
【Important Instructions】
Since the reform and opening up, especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, my country’s tourism development has entered the fast lane, forming the world’s largest domestic tourism market, becoming the largest source of international tourism and the main destination. The tourism industry has grown from small to large, from weak to strong, and has become increasingly It has become an emerging strategic pillar industry and a people’s livelihood industry and happiness industry with distinctive characteristics of the times, and has successfully embarked on a unique path of China’s tourism development.
Since China’s reform and opening-up, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the country’s tourism sector has entered a fast lane of development. China has become the biggest domestic tourism market in the world, the largest source of international tourists, and a main destination for international travelers. The country’s tourism has developed from a small and weak sector into a big and strong industry. It has increasedly become an emerging strategic pool industry, which has contributed to the people’s wellbeing and their sense of happiness. China has successfully blazed a path of tourism development with distinct characteristics.
——According to Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 17, 2024, Xi Jinping’s important instructions on tourism work
【Important Speech】
Implement the national strategy of actively responding to population aging, develop elderly care and elderly care industries, optimize services for the elderly who are orphans and widows, and promote the enjoyment of basic elderly care services for all elderly people.
We will pursue a proactive national strategy in response to population aging, develop elderly care programs and services, and provide better services for elderly people who live alone. By doing so, we can ensure that basic elderly care is accessible to the entire elderly population.
——October 16, 2022, Xi Jinping’s report at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China
【Related Words】
Silver hair economy
silver economy
Culture and tourism consumption
cultural and tourism consumption
China Daily Network English Dots and Tianjin Studio (this article was first published on the “Study Strong Country” learning platform)
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[Editor in charge: Chen Danni]
