For the past decade or so, Chinese tourists have been the biggest spenders when they travel overseas. Their spending was only momentarily halted during the pandemic due to lockdowns and travel restrictions. Once they were able to fully venture abroad again, they return to claim the top spot.
Based on reports, in 2023 Chinese tourists spent over US$195bil (RM917bil) on international travel. The figure is 23% higher than the spending by American tourists, who placed second on the global list, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
