A comparison study of Chinese domestic tourism: China vs the USA

After achieving great success in developing international travel business, China’s tourism authorities, the local and international travel agencies and lodging companies are now diverting their attention to the untapped and big potential market of China’s domestic tourism business. By using a comparison approach, this study examines the current features of China’s domestic tourism. Various aspects of China’s domestic tourism are analyzed and discussed in a way of comparison with the USA. The aspects are: sources of information used by tourists, tourists’ transport and lodging patterns, tourists’ traveling activities and spending patterns, and governments’ role in domestic tourism. Discussions and conclusions are made based on a series of comparisons. Implications for both China’s government and travel agencies and international companies interested in China’s domestic travel business are provided.