Skift Take
In travel, India and China are markets you can’t afford to ignore. Two high-profile representatives from each country make a strong case for why.
China's travel sector is making a strong comeback, following a challenging period during the pandemic.
By the end of this year, outbound trips are expected to reach 130 million, closing in on pre-Covid levels. Meanwhile, Trip.com Group reports that its platform's outbound hotel and air ticket bookings have surpassed 2019 numbers.
“Chinese travelers are back,” said Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group, emphasizing that China's outbound market is on track to become one of the largest again.
In 2019, Chinese travelers made 155 million trips, contributing around $255 billion to global tourism. While the pandemic initially stalled this momentum, the market is rebounding swiftly, according to Sun.
Sun was speaking at the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Global Summit in Perth along with Puneet Chhatwal, managing director and CEO of Taj-parent Indian Hotels Company (IHCL). Sun and Chhatwal offered insights into the dynamics of India and China as part of the “Markets to Watch” panel.
The tourism world is watching two markets closely — India and China. With both countries representing vast populations, rising incomes, and an increasing appetite for travel, they are transforming the global tour