Shanghai Savors Inbound Tourism Record as LuxeAsia Opens

Shanghai's inbound tourism market hit a record high in 2025 when the city received 9.36 million visits by inbound tourists, a year-on-year increase of 39.58 percent.

This was revealed during LuxeAsia 2026, a premier event in Asia's high-end tourism sector, which opened on the West Bund in Xuhui District on Monday and brought together an estimated 2,000-plus attendees, including representatives from top global luxury hotel groups, domestic and international customized travel service agencies, high-end destination management companies and travel designers.

Shanghai is committed to providing efficient and high-quality travel experiences for international visitors, the Shanghai Tourism Trade Association said during the opening ceremony.

The city has introduced multiple visa‑facilitation policies and all A‑level scenic spots and star‑rated hotels across Shanghai now accept foreign bank payment.

Its on‑the‑spot departure tax refund service covers five major ports, including airports, cruise terminals and railway stations, and about 180 stores, with a tax refund rate of up to 9 percent, creating a convenient shopping experience for international visitors, according to the association.

The three-day LuxeAsia 2026 combines product displays, trend releases, industry dialogues, award ceremonies and immersive experiences, and foreign industry representatives expressed strong interest in the Chinese tourism market during the event.

Anton Savostyanov, chief commercial officer of leading Russian outbound travel operator Russian Express, said Asia has become an extremely popular destination for high-end Russian travelers, with China accounting for 15 percent of its destination market share in 2025. As Russian public interest in China continues to grow, tourist flows to China and Southeast Asia are expected to surge by 30 percent in 2026.

"We organize outbound travel from Russia to China and we are trying to meet new partners in China and find new relationships here because the interest for China among Russian tourists is growing, and we would like to open this kind of opportunity for them," he added.

Gilda Perez-Alvarado, chief executive officer of Orient Express under Accor Group, noted that the purpose of the company's presence was to connect Europe to the east.

"The reason why we're here today in Shanghai is not just because we want to develop another market, but we also want to make sure that we're partnering with Shanghai and China, one of the world's most sophisticated travel markets," she said. "We want to increase awareness, attract Chinese luxury travelers and seek collaboration, and we are here to meet buyers and travel agencies."