China-US Airport Opportunities Symposium held in California on September 17 estimated Chinese tourists to the United States in the next 10 years will grow from 2.6 million in 2015 to 17 million in 2025, and bring challenges to the country, according to VOA. 

Ten popular American cities among Chinese tourists include Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, Las Vegas, Orlando, Denver, Chicago and Honolulu.

The average spending of a Chinese tourist has increased from USD 2,600 in 2008 to USD 6,100 in 2011 and then skyrocketed to USD 13,500 last year. 

By the end of 2015, 80% of tourism offices, chain hotels, retailers and airlines in the Unites States had developed marketing strategies targeting Chinese tourists; while only 5% of them did so in 2005.

Some other questions have arisen as well, including Chinese airlines are only allowed to operate 180 direct flights every week to the United states from first-tier cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai since the two countries have not sighed Open Skies Agreement.

Although there is no limitation on flight numbers to the US from outside China’s first-tier cities, airlines have to consider the earnings risks of opening routes in these cities.

China’s Hainan Airlines announced last week that it received final approval with the U.S. Department of Transportation to fly between Las Vegas and Beijing. The service, expected to start from December 2, offers the first regular flights from McCarran International Airport to China. Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be used for this route. (Translated by Claire)