Top 5 Overseas Destinations for Chinese Tourists in 2024

Intro

The Chinese outbound tourism sector has witnessed a remarkable resurgence in 2024, with a 392% increase compared to 2023, reflecting pent-up demand from the world’s largest outbound travel market. The impact of visa policies and flight restorations has been profound. Destinations offering more lenient visa regimes and better connectivity emerge as favorites among Chinese tourists. So, do you know what are the favorite overseas destinations for Chinese  in 2024? Keep reading and learn top 5 countries attracting Chinese tourists.

Top 5 Overseas Destinations for Chinese

Destinations for Chinese: Thailand

Thailand has emerged as one of the top destinations for Chinese tourists in 2024 and record number of Chinese visitors, surpassing 5.9 million from January to November 14, 2024. The surge in Chinese tourism to Thailand is attributed to several factors. Firstly, Thailand’s visa policies have been significantly relaxed to attract more Chinese visitors. In 2024, Thailand has notably eased its visa policies to entice a larger influx of Chinese tourists. The country has implemented a visa-exemption policy, allowing Chinese visitors to enter without a visa for a stay of up to 60 days, with an option to extend for another 30 days. This relaxation, effective from September 25, 2023, to February 29, 2024, significantly reduces the hassle for Chinese travelers, making Thailand an even more attractive destination. The visa policy, coupled with Thailand’s rich cultural experiences and enhanced flight connectivity, has positioned the country as a top choice for Chinese outbound tourism.

Destinations for Chinese: Singapore

Singapore received 1.45 million visitors from China in the first half of 2024, making it another popular destination for Chinese tourists in 2024. Similar to Thailand, one of the main reasons that Chinese tourists are increasingly favoring Singapore are convenient visa policy. The mutual visa exemption agreement between China and Singapore, which came into effect on February 9, has significantly eased travel between the two countries, making Singapore more accessible for Chinese visitors. In addition, Singapore’s reputation for law and order also provides a sense of security and peace of mind for Chinese tourists.

Germany

There has been a significant recovery in Chinese overnight stays in Germany, with a 62% recovery compared to 2019 levels, indicating Germany’s appeal as a travel destination for visitors from China. This rebound is largely attributed to the resumption of direct flights between China and Germany. Germany’s central-European location makes it an accessible hub for further travel within the continent, which is beneficial for Chinese tourists who often plan multi-destination trips. Moreover, Germany’s reputation as a safe travel destination has been reinforced, ranking ninth in the Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index for safety perception, with 87% of respondents considering it a safe or absolutely safe travel destination. This is particularly important in the context of growing geopolitical tensions, where safety is a paramount concern for travelers.

Dubai

Dubai has experienced a significant surge in Chinese tourists, with the city welcoming 620,000 overnight visitors from China in 2023, and 39% increase in Chinese overnight visitors from January to August 2024 compared to 2023. As a luxury travel destination, shopping is a key draw for Chinese visitors to Dubai. The city’s malls and shopping districts offer a variety of services tailored to Chinese tourists such as Mandarin-speaking staff, Chinese payment options like Alipay and WeChat Pay, and even Chinese New Year promotions to celebrate the most important festival in China. With direct flights now available from 14 Chinese cities , the city is well-prepared to accommodate more Chinese visitors.

Japan

The depreciation of the yen has greatly boosted the number of Chinese tourists visiting Japan. It is reported that 100.3% increase in Chinese visitors compared to 2023, despite a 20.4% decrease compared to 2019. Another factor making Japan an increasingly popular destination for Chinese tourists is frequent and cheap flights between two countries. Japan and China are geographically close, and it is very easy to fly to Japan from central and eastern China.

Emerging Destinations for Chinese

Apart from above five popular destinations for Chinese travelers, niche destinations such as Uzbekistan, Kenya, Egypt, Tunisia and Serbia are popular with Chinese tourists in 2024. These countries offer unique cultural experiences and historical sites that appeal to the adventurous spirit of Chinese travelers. Uzbekistan, with its ancient Silk Road cities and stunning Islamic architecture, has become a magnet for those interested in history and culture. Kenya and Egypt, both known for their wildlife reserves and iconic landmarks like the Maasai Mara and the Pyramids of Giza, attract nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Tunisia, with its Roman ruins and Mediterranean beaches, provides a blend of relaxation and exploration. Serbia, with its rich history and vibrant nightlife, has emerged as a destination for those seeking a mix of cultural heritage and modern entertainment. The growing popularity of these destinations reflects the diversification of travel interests among Chinese tourists.

Conclusion

As the tourism trends for 2024 gradually emerge, five countries, namely Thailand, Singapore, Germany, Dubai and Japan, as well as some niche destinations, have become popular choices for Chinese tourists. These destinations are popular because they offer unique travel experiences and cultural characteristics, while showing strong appeal in terms of visa policies, tourism services, shopping experiences and food culture.

If you are a overseas DMC interested in China’s booming outbound tourism and want to be a key player in this dynamic market, pleasse contact World Wander Partners. WWP is an expert in the Chinese Outbound Tourism Industry and will help you develop more tourism products tailored to Chinese travelers.

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