This piece is part of the Argentine-Chinese Chamber of Commerce’s monthly column in the Buenos Aires Herald.
Since the pandemic, Chinese tourists have established themselves as the biggest spenders on overseas travel.
According to data from Statista and the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Chinese travelers spent approximately US$250 billion in 2024. The United States ranks second, and Germany third.
The launch of the first direct flight between Buenos Aires and Shanghai in December 2025, operated by China Eastern Airlines, underscores how that trend is feeding a strong growth in tourism between Argentina and China.
At ITB China 2026, Visit Argentina and China Eastern Airlines also announced an increase in flight frequencies on the Shanghai – Auckland – Buenos Aires route. Starting in December of this year, the airline will operate four weekly flights, a decision that reflects the growing interest in strengthening ties between Asia and South America and will significantly expand the potential flow of visitors.
