A rising tide of Chinese visitors to the city is not being lost on hotels, businesses or retailers as its expanding middle class is being particularly drawn to luxury goods.
According to the US Travel Association, overseas visitors spend an average of $4,500 per trip, but the Chinese top them all by dropping an average of $7,200 each.
Additionally according to the China National Tourism Administration, in 2013 over 98 million Chinese tourists spent $128.7 billion while traveling abroad.
The number of sightseers was up from 2012 by a remarkable 18 percent with their spending bumped up even more; by 26.8 percent.
The flood of Chinese travelers leaving their own country is also projected to grow by 10 million each year over the next 10 to 15 years.
That means the current 98 million tourists can potentially become 108 million to 198 million each year over that time span, observed Stephen D. Powell, senior vice president, InterContinental Hotels Group.
This would make China both the world’s largest outbound tourist market and spender.
This is one reason the upcoming China Center at One World Trade Center — now operating at 7 World Trade Center — is trying to become a tony club for Chinese entrepreneurs and locals who want to do business with them.
China Center’s founder, Vantone Holdings’ Chairman Feng Lun, said it would include an executive club that would have a restaurant and catering for the conference center and would be hosting events including promotions, trade events and Sino-US seminars.
As the first tenant to sign a lease with One World Trade Center, represented by JLL, the China Center leased 191,000-square feet on part of the building’s main double height sky lobby on the 64th floor up to the full 69th floor. But it is now also speaking with the building owner, the Durst Organization, in a bid to swap to less space but on higher floors. Durst declined to comment on those talks through a spokesman.
According to its website, the China Center will operate office suites, virtual offices, conference and event space, restaurants, a bar and a membership club. Toronto-based chef Susur Lee will be heading the eatery, which is expected to open this year.
While awaiting the fit-out and opening of its new space, the China Center is currently housed in 3,500 square feet at 7 World Trade Center.
“The club will be home to unique offerings including cinema releases, a tea lounge offering the best of Chinese light fare and a library where the most confidential of meetings can take place,” the website states.
Its Ambassador Program will also act as an expanded assistant and concierge service that will book flights and hotels, obtain translators and financial teams, facilitate trade shows and special events, and initiate introductions and networking opportunities.
Calls and emails to the China Center were not returned.
