China’s travel and tourism sector is entering a period of rapid expansion, strengthening its position as a leading global tourism economy, according to new 2026 Economic Impact Research data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), sponsored by Chase Travel.
In 2025, China welcomed more than 68 million international
visitors, a 15.5% increase year-on-year, nearly three times the global average
growth of 5.4%.
International visitor spending rose 10.5% to $135 billion, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and outpacing global growth of 3.2%.
The country added 9 million additional arrivals compared with 2024, the largest increase worldwide.
The broader sector grew 9.9% in 2025 to reach $1.8 trillion,
more than double the global average growth rate of 4.1%, reinforcing China’s
role as a key driver of tourism expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, which
recorded 8.1% growth.
The recovery has been supported by policy reforms and
infrastructure development, including expanded visa facilitation covering more
than 50 countries, offering visa-free stays of up to 30 days and extended
transit allowances. Since 2020, arrivals from visa-exempt markets have
increased fivefold.
China has also invested heavily in digital transformation,
introducing biometric border systems and widespread digital payment options to
streamline travel.
At the same time,
upgrades in air connectivity and high-speed rail are improving access between
major hubs and secondary cities, while new tourism zones and attractions are
broadening the country’s tourism offer.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, said: “China’s
recovery shows how targeted policy reforms can translate directly into stronger
inbound demand and sustained growth. Continued progress in visa facilitation
will be essential to sustaining this momentum. This approach, over time, could
position China to become the world’s leading Travel & Tourism if they
continue with this path.”
WTTC data projects continued growth, with the sector
expected to expand 5.3% in 2026 and average 6.5% annually over the next decade,
reaching $3.5 trillion by 2036.
Employment is also set to rise significantly, with the
sector supporting 84.6 million jobs in 2025 and projected to exceed 103 million
by 2036, accounting for one in five new tourism jobs globally.
China is also expected to reclaim its position as the
world’s largest outbound travel market, with spending forecast to rise 22.5% to
nearly $280 billion in 2026. -TradeArabia News Service