US on track to lose its title as the world’s leading tourism economy

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleChina is projected to surpass the United States as the world's largest outbound travel market, according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The country welcomed over 68 million international visitors in 2025, marking a 15.5 percent year-on-year increase, with international visitor spending reaching $135 billion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. This growth is attributed to progressive policy reforms, including expanded visa-free stays for over 50 countries, significant investment in air and rail infrastructure, and the implementation of biometric systems at entry points. China's travel and tourism spending is forecast to surge by 22.5 percent to nearly $280 billion in 2026, and it currently ranks second globally in business travel spending at $192 billion. The WTTC report also predicts that China will generate one in five new global tourism jobs by 2036, with the sector expected to nearly double in size to $3.5 trillion over the next decade. In fullChina on track to surpass US as world’s leading travel and tourism economyThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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