While Chinese travellers still spend heavily overseas, a growing majority of their airport retail spend is taking place within ChinaA duty-free shop at Suvarnabhumi airport, Samut Prakan province. Many Chinese travellers choose to buy confectionary goods at airports to give as gifts back home, according to Baronci. The association found that Chinese spending at domestic airports had risen 20% since 2019. "While Chinese travellers still spend heavily overseas, a growing majority of their airport retail spend is taking place within China domestically," the director general said. The study did not quantify total Chinese airport spending in US dollar terms.

Source: Bangkok Post February 23, 2026 11:02 UTC