The Historical Rise in Chinese Tourists

The New York Times reported on the phenomenon earlier this week: “For the first time in history, large numbers of Chinese are leaving their country as tourists, resulting in an unparalleled explosion in Chinese travel. If current projections are met, the global tourism industry will be undergoing a crash course in everything Chinese to accommodate the needs of what promises to be the greatest wave of international travelers ever.” The story notes Lonely Planet’s foray into Chinese-language guidebooks beginning next month: “The initial titles cover Germany, Britain, Europe and Australia, with guides covering the United States, Canada and Southeast Asia due soon afterward.” It’ll be interesting to see how all this develops. I was in China a few years ago. My most enduring recollection of Chinese bus tourists traveling within their own country was the great risk I saw several of them take leaping onto a tiny rock in the midst of a rushing river in order to pose, sullen-faced, for photographs. I couldn’t imagine most Americans willing to take that leap. And they seemed to thinking nothing of it. Granted, these might have been particularly daring Chinese travelers, and one always has to be careful making generalizations, but let’s just say that if the tourist Olympics are held any time soon, my money is on the Chinese.

©2026 World Hum, All Rights Reserved