China Poised to Become the World´s Biggest Inbound Tourism Market by 2019

China will become the world´s biggest inbound tourism nation by 2019, one year earlier than the World Tourism Organization (WTO) forecast, a senior official has predicted.

“China´s inbound visitors will grow by eight per cent in next five years and foreign currency income will increase at an annual rate of 12 percent. Thus, China will receive some 137 million inbound travelers by 2019,” said director-general of China National Tourism Administration, Shao Qiwei.

China´s tourism will enjoy more favorable conditions for development in next five years, including the growth of national economy, information technology and infrastructure improvement, he acknowledged, adding that the Beijing Olympics and Shanghai World Expo will provide more opportunities for tourism.

As the largest tourism source nation in Asia, China would see 34 million Chinese people traveling overseas this year.

“Over 31 million Chinese people traveled overseas last year and this year will see a 10 per cent growth,” Mr. Shao said.

He predicted that the number of inbound travelers for this year will reach 130 millions, up to eight per cent over last year. The international tourism income will climb to $33.6 billions, he said.