China Policy Update — 26 June 2026

policy • 26 June 2026

China is significantly expanding its tourism infrastructure with **Marriott CG** announcing a major partnership to construct **four new hotels** that will open by the end of 2026, marking the start of a long-term pipeline of hospitality developments in the country[1]. This alliance represents a strategic investment in China's growing hospitality sector, aiming to enhance accommodation options for both domestic and international travellers as the industry continues to mature. In addition to new hotel construction, **Trip.com Group** has set an ambitious target to bring **200 million international visitors** to China over the next five years, a goal that relies heavily on near-doubling its inbound business and expanding tourism infrastructure to support such volume[6][7]. While recent agreements between **Xi'an, China and Uzbekistan** focus on creating new tourism corridors and investment discussions rather than immediate hotel openings, these collaborations signal a broader trend of strengthening international hospitality cooperation that will likely drive future infrastructure growth in key Chinese cities[2][4]. For Australian travellers planning trips to China, these developments indicate a **rapidly improving accommodation landscape** with more high-quality options becoming available by late 2026, alongside a concerted effort by major travel platforms to make China a more accessible and welcoming destination for international guests[1][6]. The combination of new hotel projects and ambitious visitor targets suggests that China is actively preparing its tourism infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing global travel market.

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