Some 2.6 million Chinese tourists visited the US in 2016, making them the third biggest group after Britain and Japan. Chinese visitors also spent an average 7,200 US dollars, much higher than the average for international tourists.
China is estimated to become the biggest source of tourists to the US by 2021, and the growth is enjoyed both ways, with a record number of US visitors traveling to China in 2016.
Roger Dow, president of the US Travel Association, told CGTN that more Chinese tourists to the US would help employment and national revenues.
Going in the other direction, he said he hoped Americans would move beyond big cities like Beijing and Shanghai and explore other parts of China. China could help in promoting this too.
