China must find the balance between a growing tourism industry and protecting their sites
Skift Take
China has more UNESCO sites (43) than any other nation, but as a growing number of tourists bring business to rural regions, local citizens must find a way to conserve their culture and preserve century old monuments.
In a quiet corner of southern China's Pearl River Delta, hundreds of abandoned watchtowers dot a landscape of water-logged rice paddies, lush bamboo groves and ancient villages.
Bristling with battlements and turrets, the ornate towers were built by families and villages in need of protection during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when much of the country was controlled by warlords and banditry was rife.
Now a UNESCO world heritage site, these days the Kaiping watchtowers, or diaolou as they are known locally, face a threat of a different nature -- the incredible boom in Chinese tourism.
Up Next
Experiences
How Travel Brands Can Seize the ‘Q5’ Opportunity on TikTok
Driven by increased spending on experiences and the digital habits of younger audiences, TikTok has emerged as a key platform for inspiring and shaping travel decisions. Leveraging the platform’s reach early in the year presents a unique opportunity for travel brands to connect with eager travelers.
Sponsored 
Tourism
Generation Next: The Women Driving India’s Travel Revolution
From bolstering local economies to championing sustainable practices, these women innovators are forging a travel movement that’s both inclusive and impactful.
Podcasts
Airbnb's New Experiences, Southwest's Big Change and Lufthansa's Emissions Challenges
On today’s podcast we look at Airbnb’s relaunched experiences, Southwest’s new baggage fees, and Lufthansa’s emissions challenges.
Airlines
This Airline Is Tapping Into India’s Growing Love for Sports and Events-Led Tourism
While Indian carriers have a strong hold in the Indian market, Singapore-based low-cost carrier Scoot is counting on its robust network primarily in the Southeast Asian market and Indians' love for unique experiences to drive growth.
Tour Operators
Airbnb Experiences: New Details Point to Direct Competition with Viator and GetYourGuide
Experiences has traditionally been a low-margin business so Airbnb was never going to make a go of it tethered to a niche offering. The challenge in going mainstream is to maintain some differentiation from rivals.