Recovery in Chinese Tourism to the U.S. Is Happening – But It's Lagging Other Countries

It's good news that Chinese tourism will recover faster than expected. The U.S. travel industry will see a full recovery in Chinese and Japanese tourism by 2026 - one year earlier than previously projected, according to the U.S. National and Travel Tourism Office's latest annual forecast released Tuesday. Both China and Japan will behind the rest of the U.S.' source markets - the office expects international travel to the U.S. to fully recover in 2025. Brand USA CEO and President Chris Thompson told Skift in 2023 that Chinese tourists spent over $30 billion in 2019, making them the U.S.' highest spenders. Barriers to Chinese Tourism to the U.S. Huether cited China's weak economy and flight restrictions as reasons why China is behind other source markets. Air connectivity between China and the U.S. is 25% of its pre-pandemic level, said Ennis. In April, the aviation industry trade group Airlines for America sent a letter to the U.S. government asking for a pause on more passenger flights between China and the U.S. Rising Airfares Discourage Some Japanese Travelers.