Chinese shoppers are Asia’s biggest airport spenders, study finds

Chinese travellers have emerged as the powerhouse of Asia's airport retail recovery, outspending all other nationalities in the region according to a new study. The Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and Middle East found that post-pandemic, passengers from China spend twice the regional average on luxury goods, logging the highest spend per passenger. This trend underscores the surprising resilience of China's outbound travel sector, which reached an estimated $140 billion in 2024 and is forecast by HSBC to grow to $386 billion by 2033, even as other domestic economic sectors remain sluggish.

The study details a diversified spending profile. While luxury goods are a significant draw, representing 12% of preferred purchases, confectionery for gifts back home is the top category at 27%. Local products follow at 17%. Stefano Baronci, ACI's Director General, notes that recovery in spending has outpaced the recovery in passenger volumes themselves, indicating a higher propensity to spend among those who are travelling. Furthermore, a growing majority of this retail expenditure is now occurring within China's own airports, marking a shift in where the money is spent.

For airport operators and luxury brands, the data is a clear strategic signal. The Chinese traveller is not a monolithic spender but has varied interests, creating opportunities across multiple retail categories. The strength of this segment is critical for the financial health of airport commercial operations post-pandemic. The study suggests that catering to the Chinese traveller's preference for gifting (confectionery) and luxury, alongside local specialties, will be key to capturing this high-value traffic, which is projected to grow substantially over the next decade.