China Travel News

The World Bank's latest report provides even more evidence of the international Chinese traveler's impact on the global travel industry.

Travel companies that want to grow are rightly keeping a focus on China; 130 million outbound travelers can't be ignored.

Air China has evolved from a transport utility to a strong airline brand, and plans to grow its routes around the globe.

Brand USA expects to spend about $140 million marketing the U.S. abroad this fiscal year, but it's still hard to deduce the tangible impact its programs have on stimulating demand for American vacations.

Carnival Corp. and competitors are looking at long-term potential rather than short-term pricing pressure in China.

With more people traveling abroad than ever before, travel brands are increasingly expected to provide international customers with a seamless digital experience. The ones taking the tech-first approach are winning the battle for loyalty and direct bookings.

The cruise industry has struggled for years to shake its habit of discounting to fill ships. Royal Caribbean is sending a message that it is willing to lose a little revenue in the short term to achieve long-term gains.

This likely will be a year of building out what TripAdvisor already has in hotel Instant Booking, vacation rentals and tours and activities. One big challenge will be how to focus effectively in so many huge areas simultaneously without some getting short shrift.

China's slowing growth hasn't shaken the cruise industry's enthusiasm. But as executives like to point out: Cruise ships can easily relocate if demand dwindles.

Another solid year of international tourism growth is in the books. But if the global economy hits the skids in 2016, expect international leisure travel to experience tapping of the brakes.