China set to become the world’s leading travel economy

China is on track to become the world’s leading T&T economy in the coming years if current trends continue.

New 2026 Economic Impact Research (EIR) data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows the Asian nation is emerging not only as the standout performer in the Asia-Pacific region, but also as a leader for how long-term investment in infrastructure can drive high-impact tourism growth at scale.

In 2025, China welcomed more than 68 million international visitors, marking a 15.5% year-on-year increase, nearly three times the global growth rate of 5.4%. 

International visitor spending rose by 10.5% to $135 billion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and significantly out-performing the global average growth of 3.2%. 

The country recorded an additional 9 million arrivals compared to 2024, representing the largest increase globally.

The recovery is being driven by a combination of progressive policy reforms and technological innovation, supported by the strong strategic vision of the government positioning travel and tourism as a key pillar of national economic growth, the WTTC says. 

Expanded visa facilitation measures now cover more than 50 countries, offering visa-free stays of up to 30 days and extended transit stays of up to 10 days. Since 2020, arrivals from visa-exempt markets have increased fivefold, including an additional 18% growth in 2025 alone.

Investment in air connectivity and high-speed rail infrastructure is further strengthening accessibility, improving connections between major international gateways and secondary cities, and supporting a more balanced distribution of tourism flows across the country.

“China’s recovery shows how targeted policy reforms can translate directly into stronger inbound demand and sustained growth," says Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of WTTC. 

"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 and tourism [destination] if they continue with this path.”

See wttc.org

Image: Shanghai, The Bund.