The cost of a few kilometers of travel is tens of yuan, with bus tickets almost matching the entrance fees to tourist attractions; the routes are unreasonable, with excessively long walking distances amplifying the need for transportation; public roads are being turned into internal passages, and shuttle fees are being forcibly charged... Recently, shuttle buses in scenic areas have once again become a hot topic of discussion.

Not long ago, I happened to visit a grotto scenic area that has been the subject of much controversy. The old parking lot next to the ticket gate was small and had few spaces, with no possibility of expansion. Moreover, it was connected to the outside world by only one narrow road, which was prone to traffic jams. Transferring to a shuttle bus at the new visitor center outside the mountain is clearly the only way to maintain traffic order and improve the visitor experience.

Across the country, there are many similar scenic spots. In large scenic areas with strict ecological and cultural heritage protection requirements, the scientific planning and deployment of new energy shuttle buses can reduce ecological impact and provide convenience for elderly tourists, families with children, or people with limited physical strength, meeting tourist needs and aligning with the concept of green development.

Planning and design must be scientific, and service pricing must be reasonable. One of the most criticized aspects of this grotto scenic area is that the shuttle bus route is only about 10 kilometers long, yet the ticket price is 30 yuan. Transportation within scenic areas is monopolistic and falls under the scope of government pricing; profit should not be the ultimate goal. Excessively high ticket prices, far exceeding actual costs and tourists' expectations, are precisely the crux of the problem for shuttle buses in many scenic areas.

Clarifying the boundaries between public welfare and commercial attributes, ensuring that shuttle buses return to their "convenience-oriented" purpose, and making sure that fees can withstand public scrutiny and comparison by tourists are all essential to highlighting the public nature of scenic spots and protecting the vital interests of tourists.

At another scenic area renowned for its Taoist mountains, I personally experienced the problem of inadequate shuttle bus service. Despite being offered a round-trip shuttle, the shuttle bus had already stopped operating and stopped running even before the scenic area closed, refusing to stop for tourists who hadn't yet descended the mountain. They should have collected the money, but the service was inadequate; how could tourists be satisfied?

Although the "steering wheel" of the shuttle bus is in the hands of the scenic area managers, it should ultimately point towards tourist satisfaction and experience. Whether it's cultural tourism products or public services, whether it's government guidance or market regulation, improving tourist satisfaction should be the top priority, ensuring that prices match actual value and that fees and service quality are balanced. If service quality falls short, and tourists feel they've "wasted their money," even the most beautiful scenery won't keep them coming back.

A tourist destination must not only show humility to the natural world and wholeheartedly protect its ecology and culture, but also know how to "concess" to people's hearts and fully consider the needs and feelings of tourists. Only then will it become a place worth visiting for more people.

Not all scenic spots have the financial resources to abandon the "ticket economy," but there are always alternatives. In recent years, many ancient cities and towns have stopped checking tickets citywide and instead charge separately for cultural heritage sites; during summer vacation, many places offer free admission with exam admission tickets or university acceptance letters; and in some cities, out-of-town tourists can enjoy discounts on scenic spot tickets with their high-speed rail or plane tickets. Adhering to a people-centered development philosophy and extending the consumption chain with sincere efforts to retain tourists leads to a thriving business environment and improved reputation, while also resolving the issue of operational costs for scenic spots.

Mountains and rivers possess their own inherent character, and services should be imbued with warmth. High-quality development of the tourism industry relies on high-quality experiences and high-level services. When tourists no longer feel resentful about ticket prices or anxious about transfers, isn't the shuttle bus itself a symbol of civilized behavior?

(Source: People's Daily; Author: Li Bin; Original Title: Respect Mountains and Rivers with Humility, Warm Hearts with Kindness)