Chinese Tourists Won’t Be Weapons Much Longer

Free Independent Travel or FIT is growing for Chinese Tourists and it’s taking negotiation power back from the state.

In Australia, 58% of Chinese tourists are booking and travelling independently, up from 42% in 2014. Online platforms such as Ctrip.com, WeChat and Cozitrip Operations are helping reduce barriers to finding accommodation and experiences in Australia giving Chinese travellers the ability to research and book via platforms in language. China has become the world’s largest market for outbound tourism, with citizens taking nearly 150 million trips abroad in 2018. As the middle classes become wealthier, more sophisticated and more confident in their travel decisions, FIT will continue to increase allowing for longer visits and a deeper variety of experiences whilst in Australia. Bloomberg has shared thoughts that FIT may also reduce the state influence of using travellers as a negotiation tool with other countries.