Mainlanders travel the world
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2005-09-27 09:12

As many as 115 million Chinese mainland citizens are expected to travel overseas in 2010, higher than the World Tourism Organization's estimate of 100 million, the report said. Outbound travelers from the mainland surged 43 percent in 2004 to 29 million.

Rising personal incomes and the government's easing travel restrictions on individuals will contribute to the increase, according to the report.

In 2004, only 4 percent of China's urban population traveled overseas, leaving huge growth potential, the report said. The majority of Chinese outbound travelers may shift from businessmen and students to young, career-driven women.

As 70 percent of mainland outbound travelers visit Macau or Hong Kong, their holiday spending will bolster stocks of Hong Kong retailers, European luxury goods firms and Macau gaming companies, the report said.

As many as 500 million people are expected to be allowed to travel individually to Hong Kong and Macau next year, up from 200 million this year, the report said.

More people are likely to fly to European countries due to rapid expansion of nations given Approved Destination Status. It allows anyone on China's mainland to travel to these countries in groups.

CLSA also expects a 17 percent appreciation of the yuan against the euro in the year.

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