Xi Jinping tourism: How the Chinese president is changing China’s travel industry
Updated
7:57 AM EST, Tue December 6, 2016
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Chinese buy English pub graced by Xi —
Britain's former prime minister David Cameron took Xi Jinping to The Plough for a real English experience -- a pint of beer and some fish and chips -- during Xi's visit in 2015. Now the pub has been bought by Chinese investors.
WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Walking travel guide —
After President Xi Jinping visited and called Sri Lanka a "splendid pearl" in September 2014, package tours to the country from China during the October 1st National Day holiday were quickly booked to capacity.
Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images
West Lake romance —
Lovers get more privacy at romantic West Lake in Hangzhou, thanks to the Chinese president.
Courtesy Francois Philipp/Flickr
Less instant noodles, more local seafood —
"Don't throw empty bottles everywhere," Xi instructed his countrymen when visiting the Maldives. "Don't damage their coral reef. Eat less instant noodles. Eat more local seafood."
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
Dumpling promoter —
Baozi (steamed dumplings) from Beijing's Qing-Feng, made famous after Xi queued, paid and picked up lunch by himself.
Courtesy Keso/Flickr
Macau cooler —
Experts say Xi's anti-corruption push has grounded a lot of VIP gamblers from visiting Macau -- a major reason for a 27-28% plunge in stock values for major casino operators there last year.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
"Mich-Jinping" food guide —
Xi Jinping lures a fan base for whatever he eats -- even a bowl of pig-blood noodles.
Courtesy avlxyz/Flickr
Architecture guide —
In October 2014, Xi called for less "weird architecture" to be built in the country. Don't worry, Guangdong Plastics Exchange, we still love you.
Courtesy Joseph Di Pasquale
First Lady influence —
Overseas shops visited by China's First Lady, Peng Liyuan, benefit from the "Peng Liyuan phenomenon." Some products she purchases see a three-fold increase in sales, according to reports.