从25亿造城到亏损10个亿：为什么有些古镇越来越不好玩了

Core Viewpoint - The development of ancient towns in China has faced significant challenges, with many projects, including the Duyong Ancient Town, experiencing substantial financial losses and operational difficulties, leading to a growing number of "empty towns" across the country [1][2][7]. Group 1: Financial Performance and Challenges - Duyong Ancient Town, built with an investment of 2.4 billion yuan, has accumulated losses exceeding 1 billion yuan by the end of 2024, with a single-year loss of 596 million yuan in 2024 [2][5]. - The project was initially expected to generate annual revenues of 500 million yuan and a net profit of 200 million yuan, but it has failed to meet these expectations [5]. - Nearly half of the 2,800 ancient towns in China are projected to become "empty towns" by 2025, indicating a systemic issue within the sector [1][7]. Group 2: Market Saturation and Similarity - There are over 27,000 tourism-related enterprises in the ancient town sector, with nearly 40% facing poor operational conditions, including liquidation or suspension [7]. - The proliferation of similar architectural styles and commercial offerings across ancient towns has led to visitor dissatisfaction, with many tourists noting the lack of uniqueness [9][10]. - A survey indicated that 95.31% of respondents had participated in ancient town tourism in the past two years, yet many expressed frustration over the homogeneity of these destinations [19][21]. Group 3: Cultural and Operational Insights - Successful ancient towns, such as Wuzhen and Xitang, have maintained their cultural integrity and adapted to modern tourist preferences, contrasting with poorly managed projects that lack historical context [15][21]. - The failure of Duyong Ancient Town serves as a warning for the industry, emphasizing the importance of genuine cultural engagement and effective operational management rather than mere replication of successful models [15][21]. - Tourists are increasingly seeking immersive experiences rather than superficial visits, indicating a shift in preferences that ancient towns must adapt to in order to thrive [17][21].