Chinese tourists spent a record $164.8 billion overseas last year - a 28% increase over 2013 - as disposable income rose and more people ventured abroad. Travellers from China spent $113.6 billion more overseas than foreign tourists spent while visiting the country, according to the State of Administration of Foreign Exchange. That so-called tourism deficit was almost 50% larger than the previous year's figure. The latest numbers reflect how rising wealth in China has flowed overseas in the years since 2002, when China eased many restrictions on foreign travel. Disposable income rose a nominal 10.1% last year, outpacing the economy's 8.2% expansion. The number of Chinese travelling abroad reached 109 million, topping 100 million for the first time, while inbound trips fell almost 1% to 128 million. Ctrip.com, the country's largest online travel agency, forecasts 15% to 20% growth of outbound tourism this year.

Via Tourism Australia