General Market Overview
China is rapidly becoming one of the most important outbound tourism markets in the world. According to the UN World Travel Organization (UNWTO), China is the fastest growing travel market in the world, and is estimated to reach 100 million international travelers by 2020. According to the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), China’s outbound travelers reached 40.95 million in 2007, an 18.6% increase over the previous year. China will continue to be the largest travel market in Asia.
The United States is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Chinese travelers. In 2007, China ranked as the 16th largest international market for the United States, with 397,405 Chinese visitors to the U.S. Chinese visitors spent a record $2.56 billion in the U.S. in 2007, with average expenditure of over $6,000 per person.
On December 11, 2007, the U.S. and China signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to facilitate Chinese group leisure travel from China to the United States. U.S. destinations can now market themselves in China, and the agreement also provides the necessary framework to permit group leisure travel from China to the United States. This agreement complements the expansion of air services that the United States and China agreed to at the May Strategic Economic Dialogue.
Prior to this agreement, Chinese travel agencies could only organize and market leisure tour group packages to countries that have a bilateral agreement with China, often referred to as Approved Destination Status (ADS) agreements. As of January 2008, China granted ADS status to 134 countries and regions, and implemented the program in 91 countries (http://www.cnta.gov.cn/zhuanti/cjy/index.asp). The tourism MOU between China and the United States fulfills that function, and opens this market for U.S. companies. The U.S. travel and tourism industry will benefit from the tourism MOU. Chinese visitation is forecasted to reach 579,000 Chinese travelers to the U.S. by 2011, which will increase tourism related exports.
For more information about this agreement, please click here. Another important development in 2007 was the Chinese government’s announcement that China’s holiday schedule will be expanded in 2008. Previously, there were three week-long holiday periods for Chinese New Year, International Labor Day, and National Day. Beginning this year, there will be two week-long holiday periods and an additional 5 holidays.
Upcoming Events
Join the U.S. Pavilion at World Travel Fair 2009 Shanghai, China
Ongoing Tourism Promotion and Policy Initiatives
Familiarization Trips to the U.S:
- CS China is working with U.S. and Chinese partners to send more media/tour agent familiarization trips to the United States. If you would like to work with us and/or would like more information, please contact Gao Yan or Lynn Jiao.
Tourist Visa Outreach and Programs
- In 2006, CS China began working with the State Department to explore measures to facilitate more efficient information flow from Chinese tour operators/U.S. industries to visa officers regarding tour groups. We welcome your feedback and your participation. Please contact Gao Yan or Lynn Jiao if you would like more information and/or would like to work with us.
Travel and Tourism Newsletter
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Information on U.S. – China Tourism Agreement
National Tour Association (NTA) China Inbound Program
Industry Resources/Contacts:
Links to non-Commercial Service organizations are provided solely as a convenience to our users. The Commercial Service makes no representations about the accuracy or suitability of the information provided on the following web sites. The FCS is not responsible for the content of the individual organization webpages found through these links, and their inclusion here should not be understood as an endorsement of these organizations.
China National Tourism Administration
National Tour Association(NTA)
National Tour Association(NTA)China Inbound Program
U.S.Visa Information
General U.S. Visa Information website
U.S. Commercial Service Contact Information for Travel and Tourism
The U.S. Commercial Service offers a broad array of market entry services to U.S. companies in the travel and tourism industry. Please refer to the following relevant contacts for additional information on how we can help you expand your business in China.
Beijing
Grace - Yue Cao (曹玥)
U.S. Foreign Commercial Service
U.S. Embassy Beijing
55 An Jia Lou Road
Beijing, China 100600
Tel: (86-10) 8531-3000
Fax: (86-10) 8531-4343
Email: Yue.Cao@mail.doc.gov
Shanghai
Ms. Lynn Jiao (焦玲)
U.S. Foreign Commercial Service
American Consulate General Shanghai
1376 Nanjing West Road, Suite 631
Shanghai, China 200040
Tel: (86-21) 6279-7630
Fax: (86-21) 6279-7639
Email: Lynn.Jiao@mail.doc.gov
Guangzhou
Ms. Diana Liu
U.S. Foreign Commercial Service
American Consulate General Guangzhou
14/F, China Hotel Office Tower, Liu Hua Lu,
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China 510015
Tel: (86-20) 8667-4011
Fax: (86-20) 8666-6409
E-mail: Diana.Liu@mail.doc.gov
Chengdu
Ms. Misha Cao
U.S. Foreign Commercial Service
American Consulate General Chengdu
No. 4 Ling Shi Guan Lu
Chengdu, Sichuan, China 610041
Tel: (86-28) 8558-3992
Fax: (86-28) 8558-9221
Email: Xiao.Cao@mail.doc.gov
Shenyang
Ms. Sun Dongmei
U.S. Foreign Commercial Service
American Consulate General Shenyang
No.52 Shi Si Wei Lu, Shenyang, China 110003
Tel: (86-24) 2322-1198
Fax: (86-24) 2322-2206
Email: Dongmei.Sun@mail.doc.gov