Chinese arrivals dip in 2012

The number of tourists travelling to China declined unexpectedly in 2012.

According to the latest data from the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), 133 million international visitors arrived in mainland China last year, down 1.5% year-on-year. Only 57.4m of these stayed overnight however – a level almost unchanged from last year. International tourism revenues also remained flat, at US$48.5 billion.

Despite the international slowdown however, China’s domestic tourism industry continued to grow. The number of domestic trips taken in 2012 climbed 10% to 2.9bn, with domestic revenues climbing 15% to CNY2.22 trillion (US$354bn).

Chinese nationals also travelled overseas in increasing numbers last year. The number of outbound travellers climbed 15% to approximately 80m, including day trips to Hong Kong and Macau.

Sourced: Travel Daily Asia