China Mike’s 100% verified, no B.S. China facts (interesting & fun statistics):
China was closed to foreign tourism between 1949 and 1974 during the rule of Mao Zedong. Deng Xiaoping decided to develop China’s tourism in the late 1970’s as a way of earning foreign exchange.
[ Wikipedia “Tourism in China” ]
In 2010, China ranked as the world’s third leading travel destination (with 55.98 million visitors)—behind only France (78.95 million) and the U.S. (60.88 million).
[ UNWTO World Tourism Rankings 2010; Wikipedia “World Tourism Rankings” ]
China will be the world’s leading travel destination around 2016-2018, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
[ UNWTO World Tourism Rankings 2010; Wikipedia “World Tourism Rankings” ]
EXPLODING OUTBOUND CHINESE TOURISM
China is expected to be the world’s largest source of outbound tourists by 2020—accounting for about 100 million trips a year.
[ Wikipedia “Tourism in China” ]
Click here for “Top 10 international tourist countries” and more in China tourism statistics.
The number of Chinese traveling outside the country rose to 54% from 2005 to 2009 (to 47.7 million)…and “they spent more than French, Japanese or Canadian travelers.”
[U.N. World Tourism Organization; Time Mag. “Your Next Job: Made in India or China” March 17, 2011 ]
Before 2003, Turkey and Egypt were the only non-Asia-Pacific destinations that Chinese citizens were only allowed to travel for leisure.
[ The Financial Times, “Chinese travellers change the face of tourism” June 8, 2010 ]
Today, Chinese tourists are approved to travel to over 100 outbound destinations.
[ The Financial Times, “Chinese travellers change the face of tourism” June 8, 2010 ]
Chinese tourists have only been able to travel to the U.S. since 2008.
[ The Financial Times, “Chinese travellers change the face of tourism” June 8, 2010 ]
The Chinese government urges outbound Chinese tourists to mind their manners. “Chinese tourists know they are more coveted for their money than loved in Europe,” according to the Economist. “Several times in the past few years the Spiritual Civilization Steering Committee of the country’s Communist Party has issued chivvying circulars calling on Chinese tourists to avoid queue-jumping, loudness or haggling in shops with fixed prices.”
[The Economist “A new Grand Tour” Dec. 16, 2010 ]
BIG-SPENDING, SHOPAHOLIC CHINESE TOURISTS
In 2004, Chinese tourists spent more than US$19.1 billion on overseas travel.
[ Wikipedia “Tourism in China” ]
Chinese tourists reserve more than a third of their holiday budgets for shopping, according to estimates by a 2008 study by the European Travel Commission. They’re used to spending a lot on domestic shopping in China, so they don’t mind stopping money overseas.
[The Economist “A new Grand Tour” Dec. 16, 2010 ]
For Chinese tourists “excitement and acquisition are prized over pleasant, relaxing experiences.” While they value European luxury, they “just aren’t so interested in luxurious hotels and lavish meals. Coming from a newly affluent, increasingly unequal society, they have a strong preference for the accumulation of material goods.’”
[The Economist “A new Grand Tour” Dec. 16, 2010 ]
In 2008, Chinese tourists passed all other nationalities as the biggest shoppers in France, according to a survey by the French government.
[ The Financial Times, “Chinese travellers change the face of tourism” June 8, 2010 ]
Q: What % of the luxury goods bought by Chinese are bought outside China? (You’ll be surprised!) Find out in China Facts: RICH, POOR, & LUXURY GOODS.
In 2010, Chinese tourists became the world’s top tax-free shoppers in Europe—taking the top spot from Russian tourists. Chinese travelers spent 744 Euros on average, doubling the 368 Euros spent by Russians.
[ Data from Global Blue, a Switzerland-based shopping services provider ]
Chinese tourists to the U.S. spend more than visitors from any other country, according to the U.S. Travel Association. The nearly 500,000 Chinese tourists in 2008 spent an average of $7,200 each on accommodation, air travel, dining, shopping and gambling.
[ Ad Age “Chinese Tourists to U.S. Come Often, Stay a Long Time and Spend Heavily” Oct. 28, 2009 ]
Booking flights or a tour to China? CHINA MIKE recommends….China International Travel, a San Mateo, California-based family business (the wife is from Shanghai) tour/travel agency.
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