Increasing Number of Chinese Tourists Traveling Abroad with Ease

Chinese outbound tourists are increasingly drawn to museums overseas, with popular destinations including the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and the Erawan Museum in Bangkok. According to industry players, other sought-after international museums for Chinese travelers include the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the British Museum, and the Prado Museum in Madrid.

The trend of Chinese tourists venturing far from home has been fueled by more flight options and favorable visa policies in various countries. “Visiting a museum can help travelers learn about the history of a city. Chinese consumers have shown a strong interest in visiting museums as important places of cultural inheritance,” said Xiao Peng, a researcher with Qunar, an online travel agency based in Beijing.

During the recent May Day holiday, booking volumes for international flights and hotels reached new highs, with significant increases in flights to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, and Qatar. Despite regional turbulence, the tourism industry in the Middle East has shown strong growth, becoming one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

Chinese tourists are expanding their horizons and seeking out unique cultural experiences, with museums playing a key role in their travel itineraries. As the tourism industry continues to evolve and grow, museums around the world are likely to see an increase in Chinese visitors eager to explore and learn about different cultures and histories.