The World Tourism Organization forecasts a sharp increase in the volume of tourists going abroad with China emerging as the tourism powerhouse.
The World Tourism Organization (WTO) assembled during the last week of November this year at a point of time when the tourism sector is experiencing remarkable growth and the tourist influx is anticipated to climb up to 900 Million by 2007 end, reported TheAge.
The WTO forecasts the tourist’s number going for an overseas vacation to rise by 5.7% during 2007 in comparison to 2006, increasing from the 4% hike anticipated in January 2007.
Francesco Frangialli, Secretary General, WTO, said that China, which is fast emerging as a tourism powerhouse and last year attracted 49.60 Million foreign tourists, may dethrone France as the most favored holiday destination before 2020. "China has already passed Italy and this year or next it will pass the United States and will be ahead of Spain in two or three year”, added Frangialli in a statement published by TheAge.
As per the tourism organization, all together 100 Million visitors from China are anticipated to tour abroad during 2020, increasing from a mere 34 Million in 2006.
With exponential growth of the Chinese economy and significant rise in the disposable income, domestic, outbound and inbound tourism are all reflecting extensive growth in the country. The surge in Chinese tourism industry is further driven by enhanced domestic infrastructure and transportation along with newly initiated international destinations. Travel in China has been made more economical by the presence of Economy airlines, Air China, Spring Airline.
Also, the strong government initiatives for outbound tourism have been supportive in the rise of Chinese tourists travelling abroad. By the end of December 2006, 129 nations and provinces had been accepted as vacation spots by the CNTA, a striking growth in comparison to the six agreed in 1999.
A Senior Research Analyst at RNCOS says, “The tourism industry in China has emerged as the most thriving sector in the country’s economy. The industry will further see rapid surge in the tourist inflow with the upcoming Beijing games along with The World Expo event in Shanghai. On account of the imminent Beijing Olympics and the boom in the leisure travel and China's business, internationally renowned hotel groups are raising their investments in the country. In brief, the rising income of Chinese population has made it more reasonable now, with more alternatives for destinations”.
Related Market Research Reports:
China Tourism Industry Analysis (2007-2011)
Opportunities in Malaysian Tourism Industry (2007-2009)
Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012)
