As the world’s second-largest economy, China has seen an immense increase in its population’s wealth in recent years, leading to an explosion in outbound tourism. According to a report by the China National Tourism Administration, over 67 million Chinese citizens traveled abroad in 2017, a 7% increase from the previous year.
This significant growth in outbound tourism has been attributed to the rise of China’s middle class and their increased disposable income. As such, more Chinese travelers are now able to afford leisure trips abroad, and many are choosing to take advantage of the opportunity.
Not surprisingly, the most popular destinations for Chinese travelers are Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore. These countries have long been popular tourist destinations for Chinese tourists due to their close proximity, but recently, Chinese travelers have also ventured further afield, with the US, Australia, and Europe all proving to be popular destinations.
Chinese travelers are also becoming increasingly sophisticated, with many seeking out more authentic experiences rather than simply embracing the stereotypical tourist activities. They are increasingly looking for unique experiences that they feel they can’t find at home, such as cultural events, historical sites, and local cuisine.
This shift in Chinese outbound tourism has had a major impact on the economies of the countries visited. For example, Japan reported that Chinese tourists spent more than $10 billion in the country in 2017, making it the biggest source of foreign visitors. Similarly, in the US, Chinese tourists spent $33 billion in 2017, making them the third largest group of foreign visitors.
The growth of outbound tourism from China is set to continue in the coming years, with the Chinese government expecting the number of outbound travelers to reach 100 million by 2020. This is expected to be a major boon for destination countries, both in terms of increased tourism revenues, as well as increased cultural exchange.