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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Natalie Wilson

China on track to surpass US as world’s leading travel and tourism economy

China’s international visitor spending rose by 10.5 per cent in 2025 - (Getty Images)

China is on track to overtake the US as the world’s largest outbound travel market, according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

Data from the new 2026 Economic Impact Research (EIR) found China has shown how long-term infrastructure investment can “drive high-impact tourism growth”.

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