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China Outbound Tourism in 2014

By November of 2014 China’s yearly outbound tourists reached 100 million for the first time, a milestone in China’s outbound tourism. In the whole year, the outbound tourists reached 117 million, an increase of 19.16% over 2013.

In the first ten months of 2014 other countries in Asia received most Chinese visitors, 85.42 million,  an increase of 16.1%, compared with the same period in 2013. There are several reasons: cultural differences are relatively few; travel costs are lower; transportation is more convenient and short-distance travel requires only short and more flexible holidays. Among the Asian regions Hong Kong was the favorite destination by mainland visitors, with Macau the second favorite. Together they received about 70% of mainland outbound visitors in the first ten months of 2014.

Following Asia was Europe, receiving 3.43 million Chinese visitors, an increase of 10.4%. Africa surpassed America and received the third most Chinese visitors, reaching 2.69 million, an increase of 93.2%. America dropped to fourth, but still received 2.63 million, an increase of 14.8%. The last was Oceania, welcoming 1.09 Chinese, an increase of 21%.

Chinese visitors made great contributions to the development of outbound destinations in many aspects during the year, including hotels, restaurants, attractions, airlines and retail . The destination countries also adopted new policies to attract the Chinese, such as decreasing visa fees, simplifying visa applications, operating more international flights to China and employing Chinese tour guides and salespersons.

However, as more and more Chinese traveled abroad, discussions about bad behaviors of Chinese tourists got hotter. We hope that Chinese visitors behave themselves in foreign countries/ regions and pay respect to local culture and customs. At the same time we also hope that local people show more understanding and forgiveness of any improper behaviors by Chinese, caused by different habits and cultural differences.
 

Trend of China Outbound Tourism

In 2014 the outbound tourism turned into a stable growing period from the previous explosively growing period. The origin of travelers is not limited to the first tier cities in developed eastern areas any more, but also second and third tier cities in middle and western China. Traveling abroad is enjoyed not only by officials and the elite class any more, but also by common people. Fewer Chinese traveled abroad for shopping, while more traveled to experience different cultures and appreciate different scenery. A large number traveled by themselves.
 

Outbound Tourism Statistics by Travel Agencies

In the third quarter of 2014, travel agencies organized 11,759,000 visitors to foreign countries, an increase of 9.47% over the same period in 2013. Among them, 80% went to other Asian destinations.

In the first three quarters of 2014, there were 27,841,319 visitors who were organized by tour agencies to foreign countries.
 

Top 20 Outbound Destinations by Travel Agencies in First Three Quarters of 2014:

 
Destinations

Number of Chinese Mainland Tourists

Hong Kong

5,370,884

South Korea

3,546,921

Thailand

2,884,539

Taiwan

2,671,350

Macau

2,434,431

Japan

1,394,203

Singapore

990,159

Malaysia

677,836

Indonesia

646,048

France

619,294

United States

553,846

Italy

497,453

Vietnam

440,683

Switzerland

436,771

Australia

413,333

Germany

397,611

Russia

354,065

United Kingdom

239,967

New Zealand

222,566

Philippines

218,010


Data Source: Ministry of Culture and Tourism of People's Republic of China

 See China Outbound Tourism by Year: 2019 2018 2017 2016  2015  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010  2009  2008  2007

- Last updated on May. 29, 2019 -
Questions & Answers on China Outbound Tourism in 2014
Asked by SHARONTANG | Nov. 08, 2018 04:09Reply
outbound Chinese mainland tourists in 2014 (in the whole year)
Thank you so much for sharing the information, I wonder do you have the outbound Chinese mainland tourists to the top 25 countries in 2014 (in the whole year) ?
Answers (2)
Answered by Henry from UNITED KINGDOM | Nov. 08, 2018 18:01
00Reply


The number of the Chinese mainland tourists in 2014 is 107 million and the top areas and countries were as follow: Hong Kong, Macao, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, America, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Russia, Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia, France.
Answered by SHARONTANG | Nov. 10, 2018 03:28
00Reply


Hi, thanks for replying. I want the specific number of tourists to each 25 countries in 2014. Does anyone know that
Asked by Jacqueline Liang from HONG KONG | Jun. 06, 2016 05:05Reply
You did not mention the total spent of Chinese Visitors when they travel overseas in 2014.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I can found you did for 2012, 2013 & 2015. Please advise.

Thank you
Jacqueline Liang
Answers (5)
Answered by Matthew from MEXICO | Jun. 07, 2016 01:07
01Reply


I found the number in a piece of news. It says that the total spent of CN visitors is USD 165 billion.
Answered by Jacqueline Liang from HONG KONG | Jun. 07, 2016 02:04
01Reply


Hi Matthew, thanks for your info. It is strange! According to figures from Travel China Guide, it mentiond in 2015 reported that "Total spent in 2015 is 104.5 billion USD which is 16.7% more than 2014". So, after calculation, it should be 89.5 billion USD in 2014. But now, you found another figures from other sources....FYI, 2012 spent 102 billion, 2013 spent 128.7 billion and 2015 spent 104.5 billion....which figures for 104 seems make sense?
Answered by Matthew | Jun. 07, 2016 03:43
01Reply


Jacqueline, I get another news that says the total expenditure in 2015 should be 215 billion. This information would be the updated.
Answered by Jacqueline Liang from HONG KONG | Jun. 15, 2016 02:15
00Reply


Hi Matthew, I am confused. If spent 215 billion in 2015 and spent 165 billion in 2014, it means increased 30.3%. Such a hugh rise.
Answered by Matthew | Jun. 16, 2016 04:54
00Reply


That is true. Due to the rapid increase in people's income, more people have the economical power to set out an overseas trip. In 2015, there are totally 120 million Chinese visitors in foreign countries and the increase rate reaches 12%. With this large outbound number, the spent should get a hugh rise.
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