The latest statistics from China National Tourism Administration show that, despite many adverse factors, China's total tourism revenue reached 1.16 trillion yuan in 2008, an increase of 5.8% over 2007.

According to CNTA statistics, in 2008 China received 130.04 million tourists: down 1.4% compared to the previous year. Of these 24.33 million were foreign visitors, a decrease of 6.8%; 53.05 million were inbound tourist who stayed for at least one night in China, a decrease of 3.1%. Over the year China achieved USD40.8 billion from international travel: a decrease of 2.6% from 2007.

In 2008, China recorded 1.712 billion domestic tourists, up 6.3% on 2007. Income from domestic travel reached 874.9 billion yuan: an increase of 12.6%.

In 2008, 45.84 million Chinese tourists traveled abroad: an increase of 11.9% compared with that of the previous year.

(China Hospitality News February 3, 2009)