In the past year, China drew in around 80 million global tourists to its territory; will the ongoing conflict drive more there this year?
To go by a report posted by the Chinese Embassy in South Africa at the start of this year, tourist arrivals in China were up by 26.4 percent year-on-year as of end-2025.
This means that the East Asian giant welcomed around 80 million global tourists into its jurisdiction over the past year, proving that ongoing geopolitical tensions have not prevented travellers from putting the country on their itineraries.
It should likewise be noted that, for the 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival, China reported 2.36 billion trips by its nationals to both local and foreign destinations, showing that its tourism industry continues to grow and people are keen to travel.
This poses a question in the face of the ongoing Iran crisis: with major MICE activities in West Asia cancelled and the possibility of leisure travel into the region pretty much curtailed by circumstances, would a major power like China stand to gain in terms of tourism and hospitality?
Some small benefit
To put things in perspective, let us take a moment to recall that China relaxed its visa policy for nationals from 43 countries in June of last year.
This brought in more than 30 million foreign tourists into the country, more than a third of the total reported as of 31st December 2025.
But this should not be taken as an indicator that those contemplating leisure travel into West Asia will set their sights on the country as a destination; that would be erroneous, given how traveller attention is also being drawn by destinations within Central and Southeast Asia, as well as China’s nearest neighbours in East Asia.
Nevertheless, the Chinese tourism sector stands to gain a number of benefits from the crisis, specifically as it is precipitating an increase in domestic travel bookings, as well as regional tourism.
Rising fuel costs and overall economic instability could also drive domestic travel to new heights, as Chinese travellers contemplate safer and closer destinations, especially those in-country.
Potential areas for development
Currently, experts point out four regions in China that stand to grow as tourist destinations in the face of the current crisis.
These are:
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Best known for its rugged landscapes characterised by natural karst formations in Guilin and Yangshuo, the area has gained popularity among adventurers keen on exploring its limestone caves, as well as ecotourism enthusiasts;
- Hainan Province Striking a climatic contrast with the rest of the Chinese Mainland, Hainan is the country’s tropical zone and, as such, long served as an alternative to the beaches of Southeast Asia and West Asia. The area is also renowned for its produce and its unique culture;
- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region While this part of the country remains a controversial destination, it is also one of the most fascinating destinations of the country. If Hainan differs because of its climate, Xinjiang is set apart because its culture is a synthesis of endemic traditions and its proximity to the nomadic Muslim peoples of Central Asia. That said, it offers a window into another side of China but also serves as a unique platform for understanding cultural and racial diversity; and
- Yunnan Province Home to at least 25 ethnic groups, Yunnan is considered the melting pot of China. In recent years, it has also begun to develop a reputation as a serene getaway for those seeking respite from the stresses of modern living both within China and overseas.