The Bangkok Post reports that the number of Chinese flying overseas has grown steadily since 2001. In 2007, 41 million Chinese traveled overseas, up from 12.1 million in 2001. Both rising income levels and increased permission from the Chinese government have made it easier for travelers to fly overseas.
China’s outbound tourism market used to be very small. This was in part due to the low income level of Chinese citizens, as well as the troublesome visa application processes. Things have since changed in recent years, with the fast-growing economy generating a burgeoning middle class. For many mainland Chinese, travelling overseas has become much easier.
Since China’s entry to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), more and more countries have become accessible to mainland Chinese through the approved destination status (ADS) scheme. Through ADS, those countries can issue tourist visas to mainland Chinese.
