Africa has witnessed massive influx of Chinese tourists in the recent years making it a new record in the tourism industry. After seven consecutive years of annual double-digit growth in spending, China continues to lead global outbound travel, reaching US$ 261 billion of Chinese travelers’ expenditure in 2016, a 12% growth since 2012. About 135 million Chinese outbound tourists have travelled in 2016 of which 10% were bound for Africa – which is a surge from the existing 3% in 2008.
In the first quarter of 2016, China’s economy stood at an approximate $11.3 trillion, the second largest in the world just after the US with about $17trillion.
Although the US is on top of the chart, it might see a change by 2027 in terms of tourism spending and investment as well as in total travel & tourism GDP when China will over take the competition.
According to Josephine Wawira, Global PR Assistant Jumia Travel, in Africa, various data has shown that Chinese tourists spend an average of 40% in excess of their European and American counterparts. Increasing Chinese investments in the continent (China’s total trade with Africa peaked at $222 billion by December 2014), involvement with African governments’ projects such as the construction of the recently launched Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya; remain among major factors that influence China’s appetite for Africa.
Carat & Jing Travel on what’s influencing Chinese millennials said that Chinese millennial travelers are fueling the growth of global tourism as they seek new and fresh experiences.
Africa can expect more tourists from this Asian country as it has a lot to offer in terms of wild safaris, comfortable weather and breathtaking destinations.
