Chinese tourists dominate temple-centered travel in Asia, with Thailand seeing a sharp drop due to safety and infrastructure issues, while Japan faces overcrowded destinations like Kyoto and Nara. Visitor patterns reveal regional tourism, commerce, and cultural trends, leading into Part Two’s focus on China’s domestic travel.

The United States and Thailand should welcome Chinese tourists, but be prepared lest China's economy weakens or Beijing turns off the tourism spigot.

The United States and Thailand should welcome Chinese tourists, but be prepared lest China's economy weakens or Beijing turns off the tourism spigot.

As Thailand and much of Asia welcomes more and more visitors from China, the region’s leaders and policymakers must take steps toward a more sustainable tourism industry and accelerate supporting infrastructure. Ensuring tourism is a sustainable driver of economic growth will require much more than sustained support for even the best marketing campaigns.

As Thailand and much of Asia welcomes more and more visitors from China, the region’s leaders and policymakers must take steps toward a more sustainable tourism industry and accelerate supporting infrastructure. Ensuring tourism is a sustainable driver of economic growth will require much more than sustained support for even the best marketing campaigns.

A massive flash mob highlighting Chinese and U.S. cultural marks was performed on the Ellipse lawn in front of the White House, in celebration of the 2016 China-U.S. Tourism Year.