For China, there is also one special reason for the boom in overseas tourism: its opening-up policy. Since China adopted the reform and opening-up policy in 1978, the number of people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries and regions has continually increased.

It should be noted that growing number of Chinese tourists heading overseas also benefits the economies of their destinations. Tourism involves huge consumption as both travel and lodging mean spending money. Airlines and well-known hotel chains are earning a huge part of their revenues from Chinese tourists eager to embrace the outside world.

Besides, with their incomes growing, Chinese consumers are no less enthusiastic about spending on luxuries and other high-end consumption goods.

Another positive impact of overseas tourism is the less-direct benefits it brings to the destination countries. Data shows that when a tourist spends one US dollar in a nation, that will involve seven or more dollars in consumption in related industries. For example, when a tourist stays in a hotel for bed and breakfast, the hotel needs to purchase soap, shampoo, and bottles of waters, as well as hire cooks and serving staff and cleaners for the room. So a one night stay benefits more than just the hotel.

Actually, tourism is a supporting pillar of the service sector in several developed countries, so they tend to invest heavily in attracting tourists to boost their economies.

But facing the task of economic restructuring and maintaining growth, China also needs to ensure these benefits are realized at home. The domestic tourism industry needs to boost its level and services, so that more global travelers will visit China and spend their money here.

Liu Simin is deputy secretary-general of Beijing Tourism Association. The article is an excerpt of his interview with China Daily's Zhang Zhouxiang