China’s statistics from 2009 are expected to show its first deficit in tourism, due to a weak global economy and a strong travel incentives at home.
China Tourism Academy reports Mainland tourists spent some $42 billion in overseas destinations including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan last year.
At the same time, overseas tourists spent only $38 billion on the Mainland, down by 7%.
eTurboNews quoted China Daily which reported that though official statistics for 2009 are yet to be released, the academy estimated that the tourism deficit will stand at $4 billion in 2009 – the first ever tourism deficit in China.