Increasing Chinese Tourists

Thai beaches attract many tourists.

It is estimated that in 2004, about 1 million Chinese tourists will travel to Thailand, 900,000 to Malaysia and 700,000 to Vietnam. To Southeast Asian countries, China is now the greatest source of tourist income, and the RMB yuan is a convertible currency.

Various countries are competing to become China's tourist destinations, and Europe has become a hot area. Last year, more than 600,000 tourists from China's mainland visited Germany, a number which experts say is highly likely to double within five years. Countries in Northern Europe have established tourist agencies in China to meet the increasing demand.