Forget the quiet years; China's tourism industry is roaring back to life, with inbound visitor numbers skyrocketing by over 190% in 2023 and major holidays like the Spring Festival seeing arrivals more than double as the world rediscovers the Middle Kingdom's boundless allure.
Key Takeaways
- In 2019, China recorded 145.3 million inbound international tourist arrivals, representing a 4.5% year-on-year increase.
- South Korea was the largest source market for inbound tourists to China in 2019 with 6.02 million visitors.
- In 2023, inbound tourist arrivals to China reached 35.5 million for the first 10 months, up 193.5% year-on-year.
- In 2023, China's domestic tourist trips reached 6.57 billion, up 14.2% from 2022.
- Domestic tourism revenue in China hit 5.18 trillion yuan in 2023, a 17.1% increase YoY.
- During 2024 Spring Festival holiday, domestic trips totaled 2.51 billion person-times, up 34.6% YoY.
- In 2019, Chinese outbound tourists numbered 155 million.
- In 2023, outbound trips from China reached 97% of 2019 levels with 130 million.
- During 2024 Spring Festival, outbound trips hit 10.5 million, up 150% YoY.
- In 2023, tourism directly contributed 4.43% to China's GDP.
- Total tourism GDP contribution in China was RMB 10.35 trillion in 2023.
- Tourism employment in China reached 78.18 million jobs in 2023.
- China has over 57,000 travel agencies as of 2023.
- Total star-rated hotels numbered 13,800 in China end-2023.
- A-class scenic spots total 2,336 in China as of 2024.
China's tourism industry is recovering strongly after a sharp pandemic decline.
Domestic Tourism Statistics
- In 2023, China's domestic tourist trips reached 6.57 billion, up 14.2% from 2022.
- Domestic tourism revenue in China hit 5.18 trillion yuan in 2023, a 17.1% increase YoY.
- During 2024 Spring Festival holiday, domestic trips totaled 2.51 billion person-times, up 34.6% YoY.
- In 2019 pre-COVID, domestic tourist trips were 6.0 billion.
- 2023 domestic tourism revenue recovered to 89% of 2019 levels.
- Hainan domestic tourists numbered 15.6 million during 2024 Spring Festival, up 96.3% YoY.
- In first half 2023, domestic trips reached 2.9 billion person-times.
- Beijing saw 25.7 million domestic tourists during 2024 Spring Festival.
- 2023 saw 2.62 billion urban resident domestic trips.
- During 2024 National Day Golden Week, domestic trips hit 775 million person-times.
- Shanghai domestic tourists reached 45.8 million in 2023.
- In 2023, rural tourism trips totaled 3.48 billion person-times.
- Guangdong had 1.2 billion domestic tourist trips in 2023.
- During 2023 Summer vacation, domestic trips grew 10.7% to 8.3 million daily average.
- In H1 2024, domestic tourism revenue reached 3.5 trillion yuan.
- 2023 Labor Day holiday saw 274 million domestic trips, up 11.6% YoY.
- Hunan province recorded 1.05 billion domestic trips in 2023.
- In 2024 Q1, domestic trips totaled 1.27 billion person-times.
- Jiangsu saw 1.1 billion domestic tourists in 2023.
- During 2024 Dragon Boat Festival, domestic trips reached 102 million person-times.
- Sichuan province had 920 million domestic trips in 2023.
- In 2023, family/group domestic travel accounted for 65% of trips.
- Zhejiang recorded 850 million domestic tourists in 2023.
- 2024 May Day holiday generated 312 million domestic trips.
Domestic Tourism Statistics Interpretation
China's tourism industry has so vigorously shaken off its pandemic slumber that, with a record-breaking 6.57 billion domestic trips in 2023 and holiday figures rocketing past pre-COVID levels, it seems the entire nation is on a permanent, revenue-generating field trip to rediscover its own backyard.
Economic and Financial Statistics
- In 2023, tourism directly contributed 4.43% to China's GDP.
- Total tourism GDP contribution in China was RMB 10.35 trillion in 2023.
- Tourism employment in China reached 78.18 million jobs in 2023.
- Inbound tourism revenue was 686.3 billion yuan in 2023.
- Domestic tourism revenue 5.18 trillion yuan in 2023.
- Outbound tourism spending by Chinese was estimated at 1.2 trillion yuan in 2023.
- During 2024 Spring Festival, tourism revenue hit 425.9 billion yuan.
- 2019 total tourism revenue was RMB 6.63 trillion.
- Tourism investment in China reached RMB 1.7 trillion in 2023.
- 2024 National Day tourism revenue 659.4 billion yuan.
- Hotel industry revenue grew 18.4% to 408 billion yuan in 2023.
- Travel agency revenue up 25.1% to 412 billion yuan in 2023.
- Scenic spots revenue increased 24.4% to 402 billion yuan in 2023.
- In 2023, tourism tax contributions totaled RMB 1.1 trillion.
- Average daily tourism revenue during 2024 May Day was 5.8 billion yuan.
- Cultural tourism revenue share reached 25% of total in 2023.
- Rural tourism revenue 1.2 trillion yuan in 2023.
- 2024 Dragon Boat Festival tourism revenue 40.7 billion yuan.
- International tourism exports contributed RMB 1.45 trillion in 2023.
- Domestic tourism spending per capita was 788 yuan in 2023.
Economic and Financial Statistics Interpretation
While China's outbound tourists show a taste for global exploration, their wallets are overwhelmingly loyal to the domestic market, fueling a colossal economic engine that serves nearly 80 million workers and generates over ten trillion yuan in activity, all while ensuring the taxman enjoys a very scenic view of the balance sheet.
Inbound Tourism Statistics
- In 2019, China recorded 145.3 million inbound international tourist arrivals, representing a 4.5% year-on-year increase.
- South Korea was the largest source market for inbound tourists to China in 2019 with 6.02 million visitors.
- In 2023, inbound tourist arrivals to China reached 35.5 million for the first 10 months, up 193.5% year-on-year.
- During the 2024 Spring Festival, inbound trips to China hit 16,710, a 113.5% increase from 2023.
- In H1 2023, China welcomed 11.87 million inbound tourists, recovering to 86.7% of 2019 levels.
- Visa-free entries to China surged 190.3% year-on-year to 8.52 million in the first 8 months of 2024.
- In 2022, inbound tourists to China numbered 31.64 million, a sharp decline from 145.3 million in 2019 due to COVID.
- Japan sent 3.45 million tourists to China in 2019, second to South Korea in inbound market share.
- In Q1 2024, foreign tourist arrivals in China reached 4.95 million, up 155.8% from Q1 2023.
- Malaysia topped Southeast Asian inbound markets with 1.2 million visitors to China in 2019.
- In 2023, Hainan welcomed 1.18 million inbound tourists, a 188.5% increase year-on-year.
- The US contributed 2.47 million tourists to China in 2019.
- During 2024 National Day Golden Week, inbound tourists numbered 1.66 million, up 123.7% from 2023.
- In 2019, Asian countries accounted for 72.1% of China's inbound tourists.
- Russia sent 2.44 million tourists to China in 2019.
- In Jan-Aug 2024, 70% of inbound tourists to China were from Asia.
- Vietnam provided 1.56 million inbound tourists to China in 2019.
- In 2023 full year, China saw 35.5 million inbound visitors, 24.1% of 2019 levels.
- Singapore sent 1.08 million tourists to China in 2019.
- In H1 2024, inbound tourist arrivals grew 125.5% year-on-year to 14.6 million.
- Thailand contributed 1.02 million visitors to China in 2019.
- In 2024 Q1-Q3, 46 countries' citizens enjoyed visa-free entry to China, boosting arrivals by 86.6%.
- Philippines sent 0.95 million tourists to China in 2019.
- In 2023, Shanghai welcomed 3.3 million inbound tourists.
- Myanmar provided 0.89 million inbound tourists to China in 2019.
- In first half 2024, Beijing saw 2.65 million inbound tourists, up 129% YoY.
- India sent 0.45 million tourists to China in 2019.
- In 2024 May, inbound tourists to China hit 2.06 million, 152.7% of 2019 May levels.
- Germany contributed 1.18 million visitors to China in 2019.
- In 2023, Guangdong province received 4.8 million inbound tourists.
Inbound Tourism Statistics Interpretation
China's tourism industry, after being forced into a pandemic-induced hibernation, is now roaring back to life with visa-free policies as its espresso shot and Asia as its most enthusiastic fan club.
Infrastructure and Policy Statistics
- China has over 57,000 travel agencies as of 2023.
- Total star-rated hotels numbered 13,800 in China end-2023.
- A-class scenic spots total 2,336 in China as of 2024.
- High-speed rail network spans 45,000 km supporting tourism in 2024.
- 157 countries have visa-free or simplified entry to China by 2024.
- Digital payment adoption in tourism reached 95% in 2023.
- Over 10,000 5A scenic areas developed by 2023.
- Airport passenger throughput 1.22 billion in 2023 for tourism boost.
- Rural homestays numbered 320,000 in 2023.
- 72-hour visa-free policy expanded to 54 ports by 2024.
- Tourism highways total 220,000 km in China 2023.
- Online tourism platforms users exceed 900 million in 2023.
- Hainan free trade port tourism policy attracted 20 million visitors 2023.
- 5G coverage in tourist sites reached 80% by 2023.
- Cultural heritage sites total 5,300 under protection 2024.
- Green tourism hotels numbered 2,500 in 2023.
- Mutual visa exemptions with 22 countries by end-2023.
- Cruise ports operational: 28 in China 2023.
- Smart tourism cities: 150 designated by 2023.
- Hotel rooms total 12 million in China 2023.
Infrastructure and Policy Statistics Interpretation
China's tourism industry has constructed a logistical colossus so vast and digitally seamless that it now functions as a national welcoming committee on steroids, ready to process, transport, house, and entertain you from a high-speed rail seat to a rural homestay with a single tap of your phone.
Outbound Tourism Statistics
- In 2019, Chinese outbound tourists numbered 155 million.
- In 2023, outbound trips from China reached 97% of 2019 levels with 130 million.
- During 2024 Spring Festival, outbound trips hit 10.5 million, up 150% YoY.
- Japan was top destination for Chinese outbound in 2019 with 9.6 million visitors.
- In H1 2024, outbound tourists from China grew 120% YoY to 45 million.
- Thailand received 7.5 million Chinese tourists in 2023.
- South Korea saw 3.4 million Chinese outbound in 2023.
- During 2024 National Day, outbound trips reached 2.2 million daily average.
- Vietnam hosted 3.8 million Chinese tourists in 2023.
- In 2023, Chinese outbound spending was $150 billion.
- Singapore welcomed 2.4 million Chinese visitors in 2023.
- Malaysia received 3.2 million Chinese tourists in 2023.
- In 2024 Q1, outbound recovery hit 90% of 2019.
- Australia saw 1.2 million Chinese outbound in 2023.
- In 2023, 60% of Chinese outbound were to Asia.
- France hosted 1.1 million Chinese tourists in 2023.
- During 2024 Summer, outbound to Europe up 200% YoY.
- Indonesia received 2.1 million Chinese in 2023.
- In first 8 months 2024, outbound trips 109 million.
- US welcomed 900,000 Chinese tourists in 2023.
Outbound Tourism Statistics Interpretation
China's travel industry, like a determined tourist who refuses to let a delayed flight ruin their holiday, is furiously packing its bags to make up for lost time, with its colossal spending power now jetting across Asia and increasingly eyeing Europe.
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