China's mainland will become the world's biggest supplier
of tourists by 2020, according to a recently released report by
CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets.

As many as 115 million Chinese mainland citizens are expected to
travel overseas in 2010, higher than the World Tourism
Organization's estimate of 100 million, the report said.
Outbound travellers from the mainland surged 43 percent in 2004
to 29 million.

Rising personal incomes and the government's easing travel
restrictions on individuals will contribute to the increase,
according to the report.

In 2004, only 4 percent of China's urban population travelled
overseas, leaving huge growth potential, the report said.

As 70 percent of mainland outbound travellers visit Macau or Hong
Kong, their holiday spending will bolster stocks of Hong Kong
retailers, European luxury goods firms and Macau gaming
companies, the report said.

As many as 500 million people are expected to be allowed to
travel individually to Hong Kong and Macau next year, up from 200
million this year, the report said.