Identifying Causes for the Decline in International Arrivals to China−Perspective of Sustainable Inbound Tourism Development

Guanghui Qiao, Shuai Peng, Bruce Prideaux and Man Qiao
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Guanghui Qiao: School of Tourism and Urban-Rural Planning, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Shuai Peng: School of Geography and Tourism, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, Guangzhou 510320, China
Bruce Prideaux: Centre for Tourism and Regional Opportunities, School of Business and Law, Central Queensland University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
Man Qiao: College of Tourism, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou 450046, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 6, 1-18

Abstract: Chinese inbound tourism growth peaked in 2012 and in following years, arrivals have exhibited a downward trend. Over the same time Chinese outbound tourism has increased significantly and by 2016 the number of Chinese outbound tourists (52.7 million) was nearly twice that of international arrivals to China (28.1 million) (CTA, 2018). The aim of this paper is to identify the determinants of international tourists visiting China based on destination attributes. For the purposes of this research, Australia was selected as a study site on the grounds that China has been a popular destination for Australian residents. This study examines a range of behavioral factors that may affect intentions to travel to China including: past travel experience to China; perceptions of overseas destination attributes; beliefs in China’s ability to satisfy the needs and constraints that appear to prevent Australian residents from traveling to China; and tourists’ intentions to visit or revisit. Data collected from Australian residents on aspects of travel to China included perceptions, beliefs, constraints, information sources, and past experience. The research shows that past experience was positively associated with intention to visit or revisit. Five constraint factors were identified. Based on these findings, the study discusses practical implications for management and government officials needed to boost Chinese inbound tourism.

Keywords: Chinese inbound tourism; Australia; perception and beliefs; constraints; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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