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. 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.

Another important development in 2007 was the Chinese government’s announcement that China’s holiday schedule will be expanded in 2008. Previously, there was 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.

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 Jing Wei or Stellar Chu.

Major Shows & Exhibitions

This section provides a listing of upcoming coal and travel & tourism-related events in China, including industry shows and trade missions. While FCS China is directly involved with some of these events, the majority here has no direct relationship with the FCS and are listed solely as a convenience to our users.

For more information, please contact the organizing group as listed in the event description. Verify the information before making any commitments - we are not responsible for accuracy of information or changes in events' schedules.

China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market (10th edition)

Dates: April 9-11, 2014
Venue: National Agricultural Exhibition Center
Website: http://www.cottm.com/

Useful Links and Industry 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 web pages found through these links, and their inclusion here should not be understood as an endorsement of these organizations.

U.S. Travel Association (USTA)

National Tour Association (NTA)

General U.S. Visa Information Website (Ongoing Tourism Promotion and Policy Initiatives)

http://shanghai.usembassy-china.org.cn/non-immigrant_visas.html (Non-Immigrant Visa Information)

http://shanghai.usembassy-china.org.cn/new-online-application.htm (Non-Immigrant Visa Online application form)

http://shanghai.usembassy-china.org.cn/expedited_niv_services.html How to expedite your interview appointment (requirement and procedures)

U.S. Commercial Service Contacts

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 Office:
Tel: (86-10) 8531-3000
Fax: (86-10) 8531-3701
Jing Wei

Shanghai Office:
Tel: (86-21) 6279-7630
Fax: (86-21) 6279-7639
Stellar Chu

Guangzhou Office:
Tel: (86-20) 8667-4011
Fax: (86-20) 8666-6409
Diana Liu

Chengdu Office:
Tel: (86-28) 8558-3992
Fax: (86-28) 8558-3991
Lily Lin

Shenyang Office:
Tel: (86-24) 2322-1198x8142
Fax: (86-24) 2322-2206
Dongmei Sun

What's New?

Print | Last Updated: 5/22/13 11:35 PM