China Poised to Become the World’s Leading Travel and Tourism Economy

China’s Travel & Tourism (T&T) sector is undergoing a phase of accelerated expansion, positioning it as a strong example of sustained tourism growth, and placing the country firmly on track to become the world’s leading T&T economy in the coming years if current trends continue.

Key Highlights
- International Arrivals: 68+ million visitors in 2025, up 15.5% year-on-year, nearly triple the global average growth.
- Visitor Spending: $135 billion in 2025, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
- Sector Size: $1.8 trillion in 2025, growing 9.9%, more than double the global average.
- Regional Impact: Asia-Pacific became the fastest-growing T&T region, with China as the main driver.

Drivers of Growth
- Policy reforms: Expanded visa-free access for 50+ countries, transit stays up to 10 days.
- Digital innovation: Biometric entry systems and widespread digital payments for seamless travel.
- Infrastructure investment: Air connectivity and high-speed rail linking major gateways to secondary cities.
- Tourism diversification: New zones, cultural attractions, and theme parks boosting competitiveness.

Long-Term Outlook
- Growth forecast: Average annual growth of 6.5% over the next decade.
- Sector size by 2036: Expected to reach $3.5 trillion.
- Employment: 84.6 million jobs in 2025, projected to exceed 103 million by 2036 — one in five new global tourism jobs.
- Outbound travel: Spending forecast to surge 22.5% to $280 billion in 2026, surpassing the U.S.

Strategic Importance
China is positioning Travel & Tourism as a pillar of national economic growth, combining policy, innovation, and infrastructure to sustain momentum. WTTC’s CEO Gloria Guevara emphasized that China’s approach could make it the world’s leading T&T economy if current trends continue.

This paints a picture of China not just recovering but reshaping global tourism dynamics.