Shanghai inbound tourism surges past 9.36 million in 2025

Shanghai’s tourism market rebounded robustly in 2025, welcoming 9.3602 million inbound visitors, a 36% increase year on year, according to the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism. December alone recorded 1.0777 million arrivals, up 46%, with overnight visitors reaching 1.0397 million, a 48% rise.

Arrivals from key source markets surged. South Korea led the growth, more than doubling to 909,100 visitors, while Russia reached 385,100, up 59%. Thailand contributed 513,700 visitors, with Indonesia and Italy posting annual rises of 62% and 52%, respectively. Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia also saw steady growth of over 30%, reflecting broad-based demand across regional and long-haul markets.

Meanwhile, inbound tourism services expanded alongside visitor growth. Travel agencies organised 180,500 trips, up 97%, and received 274,900 visitors, 55% more than in 2024, of whom 231,700 stayed overnight.

The accommodation sector performed strongly, too. Hotels reported high international demand, with Europeans comprising 66% of guests at Yangtze Boutique Shanghai, and international guests representing 20% of clientele at Broadway Mansions Hotel, according to the Administration. Moller Villa and InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin hosted 21% and 25% foreign guests, respectively.

Star-rated hotels achieved full-year occupancy of 66%, up 2 percentage points, while five-star hotels reached 71.30%, with average daily rates rising to ¥978.80.

New analysis from Hong Kong insurance comparison platform 10Life recently highlighted three fast-growing areas of misunderstanding in travel insurance coverage.