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The WTA Conducts Biannual Sentiment Reports of China’s Inbound, Outbound and Domestic Tourism Market

2019.07.01

Tourism has become one of the most important driving forces of China’s economic development. In 2018, the country’s domestic tourism market experienced rapid growth with more than 5.5 billion tourism arrivals and tourism-generated revenue totaling nearly RMB 6 trillion. Inbound tourism maintained a steady growth of 5%, indicating a sustained development pace.

The World Tourism Alliance (WTA), a China-founded international nonprofit, non-governmental organization dedicated to uphold its mission and vision of a “Better Tourism, Better Life, Better World,” is partnering with Horwath, a leading global hotel and tourism consulting company, to conduct biannual sentiment surveys of China’s inbound, outbound and domestic tourism markets starting in 2019.

These surveys received altogether 348 qualified questionnaires. The China Inbound Tourism Market Sentiment Report is focused on established tour operators, travel agencies and OTAs (online travel agencies) that are actively involved in this industry segment. For the H1 2019 report, we created and collected responses to a total of 91 valid questionnaires, encompassing 22 provinces and municipalities. The China Outbound Tourism Market Sentiment Report is focused on established tour operators, travel agencies and OTAs (online travel agencies) that are actively involved in this industry segment. For the H1 2019 report, we created and collected responses to a total of 154 questionnaires, covering 16 provinces and municipalities. The China Domestic Tourism Market Sentiment Report is focused on established tour operators, travel agencies and OTAs (online travel agencies) that are actively involved in this industry segment. For the H1 2019 report, we created and collected responses to a total of 103 questionnaires, covering 19 provinces and municipalities.

We formulated a sentiment score model, assigning scores to each question in the survey. Based on this model, we calculated the score to each question by adding the average score and comparing it with the basic value 150. Additionally, the team conducted interviews with top level executives in the tourism industry to gain deeper insights and broader perspectives. This sentiment primarily targets travel industry enterprises. Other travel behaviors generated through other channels are not within the scope of our duty.

Our special thanks go to China National Travel Service Group Corporation Limited, Ctrip.com, China CYTS Tours Holding Co. Ltd; China Association of Travel Services, Guilin Tang Dynasty Tours Co. Ltd; Guangzhou Li Zhi Network Technology Ltd; Meituan Dianping, Tuniu.com and Beijing Utour International Travel Service Co. Ltd. for their support of this study. As well, our sincere thanks go to WTA member Club Med, Carcassone city in France and Hubei Culture & Tourism Investment Group Go., Ltd for providing us with images for use in this report.

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