by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Wed June 3, 2026
China’s travel and tourism sector is growing fast, expected to overtake the United States as the world’s largest tourism economy if current trends continue, according to a new Economic Impact Report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The new data show that China is standing out not just regionally but globally, with a 15.5% year-over-year increase in international visitation last year. That’s nearly three times the global growth rate for international visitation, welcoming 9 million more arrivals than in 2024.
International travel spending also rose, up 10.5% to top $135 billion and exceed pre-pandemic levels.
By comparison, the United States saw a 5.5% drop in international visitation last year, with spending falling to $176 billion. A previous WTTC report called the U.S.’s position “a crossroads,” with the potential to fall as the world’s largest tourism market.
Beyond international travel, China’s overall travel sector grew 9.9% to reach $1.8 trillion, more than double the global average growth rate of 4.1%. China’s growing prominence is helping the Asia-Pacific region dominate, with 8.1% regional growth in 2025.
WTTC says its success comes from a variety of factors, such as seamless biometric entry systems, the adoption of digital payment platforms, and expanded visa-free stays for travelers from over 50 countries. Last year alone, visitation from visa-free countries increased 18%.
It’s set to grow at an average annual rate of 6.5% over the next decade, with the sector’s financial output reaching $3.5 trillion by 2036 and generating one in five new global tourism jobs.
“China’s recovery shows how targeted policy reforms can translate directly into stronger inbound demand and sustained growth,” said President & CEO of WTTC, Gloria Guevara. “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 & Tourism if they continue with this path.”
With that being said, it will overtake the United States as the world’s largest outbound travel market this year, with spending projected to total nearly $280 billion, a 22.5% increase from 2025.
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