Improved tour packages, services luring more travelers overseas

Chinese tourists' interest in traveling abroad remains high and is being encouraged by improved travel services and tour packages and the expansion of niche markets, according to a new report from the China Tourism Academy.

The report said that nearly 150 million such visits were made by Chinese travelers in 2018, up 14.7 percent year-on-year. While that solidifies the nation's position as the world's biggest market for outbound tourism, there is still plenty of potential for expansion, it added.

Spending on travel also is helping drive the economy through sales of tours, airline tickets, insurance and other travel-related purchases as well as helping to boost other nations' economies.