Although the Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand has been around since 2009, at the time of writing, only nine properties around the globe carry the name. Some of the featured locations include Thailand’s Phulay Bay and Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, respectively, the first and the last Ritz-Carlton Reserves to have opened at the time of writing. All hotels are meant to be closely bound to their specific location, offering exclusive local experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. All Reserves were set in rural surroundings – until now.

On 21 August 2026, Marriott International officially announced the debut of the urban Ritz-Carlton Reserve concept. An agreement has been signed between the hospitality group and the Shanghai SIIC North Bund New Landmark Construction and Development Company to create the building, and the hotel is set to open in 2030.

“Ritz-Carlton Reserve has always been about creating rare, deeply personal experiences that could only exist in their destination. There is an intimacy to Reserve – an extraordinary level of personalisation, a deep connection to local culture, and a sense of discovery and wellbeing that allows guests to experience a place in an entirely different way. Bringing that philosophy to Shanghai for our first urban Reserve is an incredibly exciting evolution for the brand. Shanghai is a city unlike any other, where extraordinary heritage and culture exist alongside incredible creativity, energy and global influence,” said Tina Edmundson, president of luxury at Marriott International.

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The announcement was accompanied by a first image of what the exterior of the hotel will look like – a tall, somewhat organically shaped skyscraper measuring 480 meters in height and counting 103 floors. With its location along Shanghai’s North Bund, the property is already set to be part of the city’s significant waterfront developments and to become part of its ever-changing skyline.

Within the hotel, guests can expect to find 110 rooms and suites, many of which will overlook the Bund and Huangpu River, including a collection of suites and a Presidential Suite. Moreover, dining, wellness, and cultural immersion will be at the heart of the guest journey, according to Marriott. The on-site options include a specialty restaurant, a bespoke bar, an indoor swimming pool, and a spa & wellness retreat.

“As North Bund continues to evolve into one of Shanghai’s most important waterfront districts, our vision is to create a landmark destination that contributes to the city’s emergence as a leading global center for culture, commerce, and tourism. Through this collaboration, we hope to create a world-class luxury property that reflects the unique character of Shanghai and delivers exceptional experiences for guests from around the world,” stated Huang Haiping, Vice President of SIIC Group and Chairman of Shanghai SIIC North Bund Landmark Construction and Development Co., Ltd. 

Upon opening, the hotel is expected to make Shanghai the only city worldwide where all eight of Marriott International’s luxury brands are represented. According to the company, the move reflects its continued confidence in the long-term growth of Greater China and a growing consumer preference for wellness, personalisation, cultural immersion, and transformative experiences.

L’article Shanghai to welcome first city-based Ritz-Carlton Reserve in 2030 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Zhang Xiaoyan, chief engineer at the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) and the Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials, explained that this strategy aims to reduce China’s exposure to foreign supplies at a time when geopolitical tensions and other disruptions have highlighted the vulnerability of companies to shortages and the unreliability of freight transport routes.

Speaking at an aviation forum in Guangzhou, Zhang acknowledged that replacing foreign components and materials would take years. Some Chinese products are already being tested on the C919, while others are still being evaluated by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).

The first C919 entered domestic commercial service in May 2023. China aims to use this new aircraft to challenge the Boeing-Airbus duopoly in the commercial aircraft market. By July, COMAC had delivered 42 C919s to Chinese customers.

Another milestone was reached in mid-August when Air China began operating the aircraft between Beijing and Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, marking the C919’s first scheduled international commercial route. Previously, the aircraft had only operated outside mainland China on services to Hong Kong.

Among the materials of Chinese origin that have already been introduced is HM1176, a polythioether sealant that provides structural sealing and corrosion protection. It has been used in the C919 programme and China’s CJ-1000 engine series since 2025.

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The CJ-1000 is still being developed by the AECC and will offer a domestic alternative to the LEAP-1C, which is currently the only engine available for production C919s.

LEAP-1C engines are manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture between US-based GE Aerospace and French company Safran.

At the forum, Zhang also acknowledged that, despite the localisation drive, Western companies continue to supply many of the C919’s advanced components and materials.

“Aeronautical functional materials, including composite materials, can be found throughout the C919. Despite its Chinese identity, most of these advanced materials originate from a handful of well-established US and European producers known for their long-held dominance,” she said.

To accelerate the search for alternatives, China could draw on the technology and manufacturing experience developed for military aviation. According to Zhang, anticorrosive coatings, adhesives, and chemical buffering agents developed for military purposes could be adapted for use in civilian aircraft programmes.

One question this self-sufficiency plan has raised is whether replacing Western components could affect the C919’s bid for certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is considered crucial to the aircraft’s broader international ambitions.

Zhang argued that introducing Chinese alternatives would “not create any adverse impact”, as they would merely provide “an additional safeguard with the option of domestic products”, rather than immediately replacing foreign suppliers.

She mentioned that Chinese-made materials have already gained international recognition, citing Airbus’ approval of Chinese-made protective seals for use on A330 engines operated in China as an example.

Meanwhile, in July, the South China Morning Post reported that European test pilots had carried out an in-flight assessment of the C919 in Shanghai as part of the aircraft’s lengthy European certification process. Flight data and documentation still need to undergo further regulatory examination before certification can be granted.

Zhang sees this as a significant step forward that could have implications far beyond the aircraft itself, and help propel the development of China’s domestic aviation materials industry and supply chain.

L’article China looks to cut C919’s reliance on Western suppliers est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Although the C919 has already been flying regular services between Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as between Beijing and Hong Kong, those flights are considered regional operations because Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China. The Beijing-Ulaanbaatar service will therefore become the aircraft’s first scheduled passenger route beyond Chinese territory, representing another milestone in COMAC’s gradual expansion into international markets.

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A new chapter for China’s aviation ambitions

Developed by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the C919 is China’s first domestically designed narrow-body passenger jet built to international airworthiness standards and intended to compete directly with the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737.

While the C919 programme itself dates back to the late 2000s, Chinese efforts to develop a domestic commercial aviation industry stretch back several decades. One of the earliest projects was the Y-10, a four-engine passenger jet that made its maiden flight in 1980 but was discontinued as China lacked the industrial capacity to bring it into large-scale production.

China subsequently pursued international partnerships. Shanghai Aviation Industrial Corporation worked with US manufacturer McDonnell Douglas to assemble and develop MD-82 and later MD-90 aircraft, but the cooperation ended following McDonnell Douglas’s merger with Boeing in the 1990s. Other proposed international projects, including cooperation with European partners, also failed to produce a lasting Chinese commercial aircraft programme.

These experiences helped shape Beijing’s determination to develop its own aviation capabilities. China first pursued the smaller ARJ21 regional jet, which rolled off the assembly line in 2007 and provided experience in aircraft development, testing and certification. The C919 project was subsequently approved as China sought to move into the much larger single-aisle aircraft market.

Rather than attempting to produce every component domestically, COMAC adopted the “main manufacturer-supplier” model widely used in the global aerospace industry. Under this approach, COMAC is responsible for the aircraft’s overall design and integration while sourcing a number of major systems from specialist suppliers in China and overseas.

The scale of the project has been considerable. According to C919 chief designer Wu Guanghui, more than 300,000 people from over 1,000 companies and organisations across China have been involved in its development.

The prototype rolled out in 2015 before completing its maiden flight in May 2017. The aircraft received its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in September 2022 and entered commercial service with China Eastern Airlines in May 2023.

Travel Tomorrow has followed the C919’s development since its maiden delivery to China Eastern Airlines in December 2022, charting its gradual progression from domestic operations to cross-border services. Earlier this year, the aircraft began regular passenger services between Shanghai and Hong Kong, another important milestone that demonstrated its readiness for operations beyond mainland China. The upcoming flights to Mongolia now take that journey a step further by establishing the C919’s first fully international scheduled route.

Daily flights to Mongolia

From 12 August, Air China will operate one daily return flight between Beijing and Ulaanbaatar using the C919.

Flight CA723 will depart Beijing Capital at 3:00 pm, arriving in the Mongolian capital at 5:15 pm after a journey of approximately two hours and 15 minutes. The return service, CA724, will leave Ulaanbaatar at 6:30 pm, landing back in Beijing at 8:35 pm.

The aircraft is configured with 158 seats, including eight in business class and 150 in economy, and will replace the Boeing 737 MAX 8 currently used on the route. Covering approximately 1,166 kilometres, the service is well suited to the C919’s design as a short- to medium-haul aircraft.

Air China currently operates a fleet of 12 C919s, making it one of the programme’s three launch operators alongside China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines.

Challenging the Airbus-Boeing duopoly

The significance of the route extends well beyond the connection between China and Mongolia. It represents another step in Beijing’s long-term strategy to build a commercially successful aircraft manufacturer capable of competing with Airbus and Boeing, which have dominated the global market for large commercial aircraft for decades.

Earlier this year, Travel Tomorrow examined COMAC’s growing challenge to the Airbus-Boeing duopoly after Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury suggested the Chinese manufacturer could eventually transform the commercial aircraft market from a duopoly into a “potential triopoly”. While acknowledging the challenges involved in scaling production, Faury described COMAC as the most credible newcomer the industry has seen in years.

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His remarks came as both Airbus and Boeing continue to face supply chain constraints that have delayed thousands of aircraft deliveries worldwide. Airlines across the globe have repeatedly expressed frustration at lengthy waiting times for new aircraft, creating an opportunity for alternative manufacturers to gain market share.

China, meanwhile, benefits from one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing domestic aviation markets, providing COMAC with a substantial customer base from which to develop production capacity and operational experience before expanding internationally.

Growing confidence in the C919

Since entering commercial service just over three years ago, the C919 has steadily expanded its network across mainland China. More than 42,000 commercial flights have now been completed, giving airlines and regulators valuable operational experience.

Around 40 aircraft have so far been delivered to Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines, while the programme has accumulated more than 1,100 orders, primarily from Chinese airlines and leasing companies. Customers include Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Tibet Airlines, Hebei Airlines, Lao Airlines and several Chinese lessors.

Interest is also beginning to emerge beyond China. Airlines including AirAsia, Garuda Indonesia and Kenya Airways have all expressed interest in the aircraft, although none has yet placed a firm order.

The C919 is powered by CFM International LEAP-1C engines and has a range of approximately 5,555 kilometres (3,000 nautical miles), making it suitable for many domestic and regional routes across Asia.

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Certification remains the next major hurdle

Despite its growing success in China, COMAC still faces significant obstacles before it can compete directly with Airbus and Boeing on the global stage.

The aircraft has yet to receive certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), approvals that would be essential for widespread international adoption. COMAC has repeatedly said obtaining overseas certification remains a long-term objective.

The aircraft also continues to rely heavily on Western technology. Its engines are supplied by CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and France’s Safran, while other critical systems come from companies including Honeywell. China is developing its own CJ-1000A engine as part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, although that programme has not yet reached commercial deployment.

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At the same time, COMAC has continued to promote the C919 internationally through demonstration flights in countries including Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, reflecting China’s ambition to expand first across Asia before targeting wider global markets.

More than another new route

The launch of the Beijing-Ulaanbaatar service may appear modest compared with long-haul international routes operated by Airbus A350s or Boeing 787s, but its symbolic importance is considerable.

For COMAC, the route represents the latest step in a carefully planned expansion from domestic operations to cross-border services and now to scheduled international flights. For China, it is further evidence of the country’s determination to build a globally competitive aerospace industry capable of reducing its dependence on Western manufacturers.

Whether the C919 ultimately becomes a genuine rival to the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX will depend on its ability to increase production, secure international certification and win customers beyond China. But when Air China flight CA723 departs Beijing for Ulaanbaatar on 12 August, it will mark more than the launch of a new route. It will signal another milestone in China’s decades-long ambition to establish itself as a major force in global commercial aviation.

L’article China’s COMAC C919 set to reach major milestone with first scheduled international route est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Led by Ma Yansong, Dang Qun and Yosuke Hayano, the design draws on the classical Chinese allusion Shui Luo Shi Chu, meaning roughly “the water recedes and the rocks emerge”. Work began in 2018, and eight years later, the 188,000-square-metre complex is complete and open to the public.

Occupying a roughly 51,000-square-metre waterfront site in Houhai, in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District, it houses the Creative Design Pavilion and Shenzhen Science and Technology Life Hall, alongside galleries, educational spaces, a design library and a multifunctional theatre.

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The structures, which locals have nicknamed “AirPods”, for their resemblance to Apple’s earbuds, offer a clear visual dissonance with the forest of skyscrapers behind them, precisely the point as the world’s seventh most populous city strives to stand out from other “super cities”.

“Much of my work is guided by a simple question: can public space be more open and equal?” Ma Yansong told Dezeen. “[…] This site was entirely reclaimed from the sea. How can our design turn ancient nature into people’s imagination of the future, and make a large cultural building feel intimate, in service of human experience?”

Ma Yansong says he wanted to create a “surreal atmosphere” in which visitors could enter into dialogue with ancient times and the future, adding: “Architecture should be integrated into nature and become a landscape that can be experienced.”

The result allows city dwellers to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life without actually leaving it, offering them a place to rest, think, and reconnect with nature. Shenzhen Bay Culture Square sits between Houhai and the waterfront landscape of Talent Park, its planted roofs extending the park across the museum itself.

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Joggers, children, birdwatchers and photographers are revelling in the space, conceived by MAD to allow visitors to “step outside everyday perception into a larger imagination of nature and time”.

The complex comprises two clusters of halls, north and south. Above them, an undulating green roof rises and falls like a natural valley, with paths winding between lawns, trees and planted slopes towards viewpoints over Shenzhen Bay. The pavilions progressively decrease in height from city to shore, partly to avoid blocking the migratory birds that travel the East Asian-Australasian Flyway each year.

Much of the complex is tucked beneath this topography, freeing the surface for pedestrians, with a road along the eastern edge sunk underground and a footbridge connecting the roof park to the surrounding city.

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“By placing the building volumes beneath the landscape, the project leaves the ground to nature, creating an open waterfront park where people can freely walk, explore, and linger,” said MAD.

Below this pastoral roofscape, the galleries are spare and almost cavernous, with ribbed concrete exposed overhead and lighting and services absorbed into the ceiling. A ring-shaped atrium connects the underground galleries and draws daylight in.

At the water’s edge, the line between architecture and nature deliberately blurs. Planted exclusively with native species, the landscape gradually descends towards the adjacent wetland without a hard boundary. A shallow pool doubles as an open-air theatre, with nearby platforms hosting markets, exhibitions, festivals and concerts.

Shenzhen recently welcomed another new museum tracing 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history, while MAD’s other recent projects include a bulbous science museum in Haikou and a curving headquarters in Shenzhen.

L’article Shenzhen opens major new design museum and coastal public park est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

According to filings with the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Air China and its subsidiary Shenzhen Airlines will buy 55 Airbus aircraft for a combined list price of €10.7 billion, while Hainan Airlines will acquire another 40 in a separate deal worth up to €4.6 billion

Air China Cargo has ordered an additional 4 #A350F for a new total of 10!
This order for the new-generation freighter supports the airline's strategy to further optimise its fleet, increase capacity and better meet the demands of the international air cargo market. https://t.co/Jj9Y6wDdyZ

— Airbus (@Airbus) May 26, 2026

Of the 55 aircraft bought by Air China and Shenzhen Airlines, 15 are A350-900 wide-body jets for Air China, valued at about €5.2 billion and scheduled for delivery between 2030 and 2032.

Shenzhen Airlines will separately acquire 40 narrow-body A320neo-family planes, valued at about €5.5 billion, slated for delivery between 2029 and 2032.

Hainan will buy 40 A320neo-family jets for up to €4.6 billion. Hainan’s 40 aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2032.

The figures are based on catalogue prices. Ultimately, the amounts agreed between Airbus and the airlines will fall below the listed values, as is standard practice for sizeable aircraft orders.

Other Chinese airlines have also been placing large orders with Airbus. Last month, China Eastern Airlines announced plans to purchase 25 A330neo jets for approximately €8.0 billion, following its March announcement to buy 101 A320neo aircraft for around €13.6 billion.

In April, China Southern Airlines and its subsidiary Xiamen Airlines agreed to purchase 137 aircraft for €18.4 billion.

This buying spree comes at a time when the industry is facing a challenging year. Higher oil prices following the conflict involving Iran have driven up the cost of aviation fuel, while route disruptions over the Middle East have lengthened some journeys and increased operating expenses. Chinese carriers are particularly vulnerable because, unlike many of their Asian competitors, they hedge relatively little of their fuel purchases.

Air China forecasts a net loss of up to 2.6 billion yuan (roughly €327 million) for the first half of the year, stating that elevated fuel prices had ‘drastically squeezed’ its profit margins. Air China, China Eastern and China Southern have warned that their combined losses for the first half of the year could total 9 billion yuan (€1.14 billion), due to higher costs and weakening passenger demand.

Still, Chinese carriers are set to be among Airbus’ most important customers in 2026. China is Airbus’s largest single-country market, accounting for around 20% of the manufacturer’s total annual deliveries in recent years. Currently, more than 2,200 Airbus aircraft, including passenger jets and freighters, are flying with Chinese mainland carriers, representing 55% of the market.

Airbus expects passenger traffic in China to grow by around 5% annually over the next two decades.

Airbus’s involvement in China also extends well beyond selling aircraft. It operates A320-family final assembly lines in Tianjin, alongside training, engineering, research and aircraft-completion facilities across the country.

L’article Air China, Hainan and Shenzhen Airlines order 95 Airbus aircraft worth €15.3 billion est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Located in Shenzhen’s Pingshan District, the museum covers 105,300 square metres and has been designed as more than a visitor attraction. Alongside its permanent exhibitions, the facility includes science education centres, research spaces and landscaped parkland, reflecting Shenzhen’s ambition to strengthen its cultural and scientific infrastructure while complementing its reputation as one of China’s leading centres for technology and innovation.

The museum’s eight permanent exhibition halls guide visitors through 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history. Dedicated to the Universe, Earth, Evolution, Dinosaurs, Humans, Biology, Ecology and Homeland, the galleries follow a chronological journey from the birth of the cosmos and the formation of the planet through the evolution of life, the age of dinosaurs and the emergence of humans.

The experience concludes closer to home, highlighting Shenzhen’s own subtropical ecosystems and the biodiversity of the Greater Bay Area. Exhibits explore the city’s mangrove forests, wetlands, mountains, rivers and coastline, illustrating how local landscapes fit into the broader story of life on Earth.

Alongside fossil collections and scientific displays, the museum combines traditional exhibitions with immersive environments, digital projections and interactive installations designed to make natural history accessible to visitors of all ages.

Among its highlights are more than 200 rare wildlife specimens donated by the late American philanthropist Kenneth E. Behring. The collection, which includes African elephants, polar bears and other rare species, has been familiar to many Shenzhen residents since it was first donated to the city in 2009 and displayed at the Shenzhen Museum in Futian District. It has now found a new permanent home in the Natural History Museum.

Architecture inspired by nature

Designed by 3XN, B+H and Zhubo Design, the museum has been conceived as an extension of its natural surroundings. Its exterior draws inspiration from the nearby Pingshan River, with flowing forms that evoke a rocky cliff emerging from the water’s edge.

The building is composed of eight interconnected cone-shaped volumes, each housing one of the exhibition halls. At its centre, a naturally lit atrium welcomes visitors with a gently spiralling accessible ramp leading to the galleries, while an outdoor plaza connects the museum to the surrounding parkland, Yanzi Hill and the Pingshan River.

The façade is clad in locally sourced clay inspired by traditional Chinese terracotta tiles dating back to the Zhou Dynasty, creating a contemporary interpretation of historic building techniques.

“With its connection to the existing natural reserves, the Natural History Museum will not just become a destination in its own right but will be part of a much larger and more powerful cultural nucleus that draws together the city, community and nature,” said Kim Herforth Nielsen, founder and creative director of 3XN.

Built with sustainability in mind

Environmental sustainability has been integrated throughout the project. The museum incorporates locally sourced and upcycled materials, landscaped flood-prevention zones, a rainwater harvesting system and a botanical rooftop park designed to support biodiversity while blending the building into the surrounding landscape.

Its lakeside setting also enables an integrated water management system that captures, stores and reuses rainwater for cooling, irrigation and other operational needs.

The Shenzhen Natural History Museum is one of 10 major cultural institutions currently under development across the city, alongside projects including the Shenzhen Opera House and the Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum. Together, they reflect Shenzhen’s transformation from a city known primarily for technology and manufacturing into an increasingly important destination for architecture, culture and science.

Admission to the museum will be free of charge. Visitors can reach the site via Metro Line 16 to Shaba Station or the Shenzhen SkyShuttle to Natural History Museum West Station.

L’article New Shenzhen museum traces 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

But aside from being holiday relics, buildings genuinely affect how city residents feel, according to a 2025 study of more than 2,000 respondents. Seventy-five percent said buildings had at least some impact on their wellbeing, and 49% admitted to smiling when they walked past “interesting buildings”.

While the study did not establish a direct correlation between building height and smile size, it was enough to prompt Radical Storage, a global luggage storage network operating in over 500 cities worldwide, to conduct further research and develop an index of the world’s top skylines.

From Shenzhen to New York via Dubai, its new ranking might help travellers decide where to go next, or which skyline to frame next.

The ranking weighs five categories: total skyscrapers over 150 metres (30%), the average height of a city’s ten tallest buildings (25%), nighttime skyline visibility (25%), skyline density (15%) and award-winning skyscrapers (5%). Radical Storage scored the top 100 cities listed by the Skyscraper Center, which ranks urban areas according to their number of buildings over 150 metres, before narrowing the field down to a top ten.

“Together, these weighted factors assess the height, visibility, and design of each skyline to reveal those that offer the most memorable urban experience,” the Radical Storage team explained.

China emerges as the big winner, taking six of the ten spots, with Shenzhen claiming first place.

Bordering Hong Kong, Shenzhen and its 679 buildings over 150 metres have built their reputation on speed. The city’s skyline grew so quickly that the term “Shenzhen speed” was coined in the 1980s during the construction of the Guomao Building, when workers reportedly completed one floor every three days. The former fishing town has since transformed into a global technology hub, and the Ping An Finance Centre now stands at 599 metres.

The other Chinese cities in the top ten are Hong Kong (3^rd), Wuhan (yes, that Wuhan) in 5^th place, Guangzhou (6^th), Shanghai (7^th) and Chongqing (joint 9^th).

Probably not what you would expect, when skylines usually bring to mind cities like Dubai, which lands a healthy second place thanks to its 32 supertall towers, including the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 829.8 metres. New York takes fourth place, with the most award-winning skyscrapers of any city on the list, 20 in total, headlined by the Empire State Building, star of everything from King Kong to Elf.

Hong Kong’s dense skyline has played a starring role in Godzilla vs. Kong and The Dark Knight, where Batman famously leaps from the Two International Finance Centre. Shanghai’s Bank of China Tower had its own Hollywood moment in Mission: Impossible III, while Tokyo, tied for ninth with Chongqing, has been a backdrop for Godzilla films since the very first one.

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Ultimately, however, a great skyline is not just about how high or densely a city can build, but how it stays in people’s minds and affects those living beneath it day after day. After all, cities that reach the highest into the clouds are not necessarily those topping global happiness rankings, and the true measure of a place probably goes far beyond its towers.

L’article Shenzhen tops ranking of the world’s best skylines in 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

New data from the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2026 Economic Impact Research (EIR) report highlights China as a standout performer in the Asia-Pacific region. The report emphasises the potential impact of China’s policies, innovation, and long-term investment in infrastructure on future tourism.

In 2025, China received 68 million international visitors, marking a 15.5% increase from the previous year and nearly tripling the global growth rate of 5.4%. This was the largest global increase, with 9 million more arrivals than in 2024.

China is setting the pace for global Travel & Tourism growth.

By 2036, China’s Travel & Tourism sector is projected to nearly double in value to US$3.5 trillion, generating 1 in every 5 new Travel & Tourism jobs worldwide.

The momentum is already clear:

68M+…

— WTTC (@WTTC) June 4, 2026

The country has come a long way. After years of strict restrictions and closed borders due to the pandemic, which brought international tourism almost to a standstill, China only fully reopened to foreign travellers in 2023. Since then, it has been catching up fast.

This strong performance is already having a significant impact, with China’s wider tourism and travel (T&T) sector expanding by 9.9% in 2025 to reach $1.8 trillion – more than double the global average growth rate of 4.1%. China is also playing a central role in making the Asia-Pacific region the world’s fastest-growing T&T area, with growth of 8.1%.

This surge would not have been possible without significant government intervention. In recent years, China has invested heavily in infrastructure, including high-speed rail, improved air connections and roads reaching some of the country’s most remote areas. Beijing has also invested heavily in new tourism developments, such as new tourism zones, cultural attractions, and theme parks. The government has also developed new tourism experiences, including cycling routes and hiking trails, to encourage travellers to explore beyond the country’s traditional hotspots.

Additionally, the government has adapted and reformed policies to encourage this growth, viewing tourism as a key pillar of the country’s economic development.

Its efforts are paying off.

Its push goes from visa easing, with up to 30-day visa-free stays and extended transit stays of 10 days, to an enhanced experience in the country, starting at the airport with biometric systems and advanced digital payment platforms, reducing lengthy procedures and possible payment friction.

“These efforts highlight the importance of innovation and digitalisation as core enablers of tourism growth,” the WTTC noted, adding that investment in air connectivity, high-speed rail infrastructure, new tourism zones, cultural attractions and theme parks is strengthening China’s tourism offering and global competitiveness.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, praised these developments, stating that China’s recovery shows how “targeted policy reforms can translate directly into stronger inbound demand and sustained growth”.

“Continued progress in visa facilitation will be essential to sustaining this momentum. This approach, over time, could position China to become the world’s leading Travel & Tourism economy if they continue with this path,” she added.

According to the WTTC report, China’s performance places the country firmly on track to become the world’s leading travel and tourism economy in the coming years, provided that current trends continue.

China is also expected to reclaim its position as the world’s largest outbound travel market, with spending forecast to surge by 22.5% to almost $280 billion by 2026, surpassing the US.

China is also a major player in the business travel sector, ranking second worldwide after the US with $192 billion in spending.

@WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara (@GGuevaraM) was honoured to deliver the opening remarks at the WTCF Beijing Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit 2026 alongside H.E. Gao Zheng, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, and H.E. Yin Yong, Mayor of… pic.twitter.com/ENTfzwTjLx

— WTTC (@WTTC) June 3, 2026

The sector is expected to almost double by 2036, with China forecast to generate one in five new tourism jobs worldwide. In 2025, T&T supported 84.6 million jobs in the country, a figure expected to exceed 103 million within ten years.

L’article China on track to become world’s leading travel and tourism economy est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Titled “Chinese and European Youth: Moving Forward Together”, the contest invites participants aged 15 to 35 from across the European Union to submit original cartoons or short videos exploring their experiences of China, Chinese culture, travel, or the relationship between China and Europe.

The initiative is organised by the Chinese Mission to the EU with artistic support from the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Fine Arts (KoMASK). Organisers say the competition seeks to encourage young people to share stories, ideas and reflections through art and digital media while highlighting friendship and people-to-people exchanges between China and Europe.

Travel, culture and China-Europe relations at the heart of the competition

Participants are invited to create works inspired by themes such as “Experiencing Chinese Style”, “Visa-Free Travel to China” and “Youth Talking about China and Europe”.

Submissions may focus on Chinese culture, daily life, tourism experiences, study programmes, contemporary development, or broader reflections on the future of China-Europe relations.

According to the organisers, the competition aims to provide young Europeans with a platform to showcase their creativity while sharing personal perspectives on China and cross-cultural exchanges.

Selected works will be featured at major events organised by the Chinese Mission to the EU and may also be promoted through professional art institutions, media outlets and digital platforms.

Cartoons and short videos accepted

The contest is divided into two categories: cartoons and short videos.

Cartoon submissions may be hand-drawn or digitally created, with no restrictions on artistic style or technique. Both single-panel and multi-panel works are eligible.

For the video category, participants can submit vlogs, short films, micro-documentaries, music videos or other creative formats. Videos must not exceed five minutes in length and should be submitted in MP4 or MOV format.

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All entries must be original works and cannot have been previously submitted to other competitions or used for commercial purposes.

The organisers have also specified that works generated using artificial intelligence, including AI-assisted creations, are not eligible.

Trip to China among prizes on offer

The competition offers a range of prizes, including four first prizes, each of which includes a trip to China organised by the Chinese Mission to the EU.

If a winner is unable to take part in the visit, the prize will be replaced by a return flight ticket between Belgium and China.

Additional prizes include smartphones, smartwatches and a laptop computer for the winner of the Most Popular Online Entry Award.

All participants will receive a certificate of merit issued by the Chinese Mission to the EU and may be given priority consideration for future exchange programmes and visits to China organised by the Mission.

How to participate

The competition is open now and will accept submissions until 1 August 2026.

Participants must submit their entries by email to youthchinaeu@gmail.com. The subject line should follow the format: Chinese and European Youth: Moving Forward Together_Name of the Author_Title of the Work.

Each submission must be accompanied by a short description in Chinese, English or French, including the participant’s category (Amateur or Professional), name, title of the work, date and place of creation, a brief description of no more than 200 words, and any personal Instagram or TikTok accounts.

NOTICE
The cartoon and short video creative contest titled “Chinese and European Youth：Moving Forward Together,” under the host of the Chinese Mission to the EU and the artistic support from the Royal Society for Encouragement of the Fine Arts (KoMASK), is now in full swing. We… pic.twitter.com/XjIf06lKiT

— Mission of China to the EU (@ChinaEUMission) June 5, 2026

Organisers also encourage participants to share their entries on Instagram or TikTok using the hashtag #YouthChinaEU and to follow the official account of the Chinese Mission to the EU, @missionchinaeu.

The winners are expected to be announced in September 2026 following an evaluation by a panel of experts and professionals. Judging will take into account both artistic quality and online engagement, including audience interaction on social media.

Strengthening people-to-people exchanges

The launch comes at a time when China continues to promote cultural, educational and tourism exchanges with Europe, including through expanded visa facilitation measures and youth exchange programmes designed to encourage greater people-to-people connectivity between the two regions.

By encouraging young Europeans to share their experiences, perceptions and creative visions of China, the organisers hope to foster a deeper understanding between the two sides and highlight the role of youth in shaping the future of China-Europe relations.

L’article Young Europeans invited to win a trip to China through new creative contest est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Under the new system, applications for refunds on purchases below a value of CN¥10,000 (around €1,265) will no longer be subject to mandatory customs verification, instead undergoing random checks, thus speeding up the departure procedure.

The digitalisation of the system will be rolled out from 1 July 2026. This means customs agents and refund handlers will process all applications and invoices electronically. Instant refunds can be made directly at participating stores if travellers present a passport and a credit card for pre-authorisation. Temporary holds on credit cards will be released as long as consumers complete customs within 28 days from the date of purchase upon leaving mainland China.

The new regime also allows purchasers to make claims in a different location from the place where they bought the goods, allowing travellers to buy items in one city and apply for refunds in another destination. International exhibition centres will also be getting their own tax refund service areas, including the China International Import Expo, the China Import and Export Fair and the China International Consumer Products Expo, to incentivise overseas buyers attending the events.

The “Shopping in China” moves are part of a Chinese drive to boost visitor spending. Officials said in a statement that the changes would make purchases and tax refunds “more convenient, faster and easier” for international consumers.

With up to 13% VAT refundable, the refund scheme is worth applying for as Chinese goods and brands increasingly attract international buyers. Electronics, cultural items, fragrances, and leather products all qualify for refunds, provided the retailer is officially registered under the tax scheme. There are up to 14,000 participating points across the country, according to official numbers, four times as many as there were in 2024. This is only set to grow further as designated international consumption hubs and pilot global retail zones are encouraged to expand.

Overall, the push on international consumer spending is a strategy that is paying off. In 2025, government figures showed that 270,000 overseas visitors applied for tax refunds, quadrupling year-on-year. Meanwhile, inbound consumption went up by 40% and travel service exports rose 50% in 2025. China is also seeking to boost connectivity, making it easier for additional international passengers to fly to China, the official statement said.

L’article China eases tax refund rules for foreign travellers to boost spending est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.