Chinese tourists were the most generous spenders abroad in 2017, spending $258 billion, or 5 percent up from 2016, ahead of Americans who spent $135 billion on their travels around the world, or 9 percent up from the year before.

Tourists from Germany came in third, with $84 billion spent, or 3 percent up from 2016, according to data released by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and reported by Poslovni Dnevnik on Tuesday.

UNWTO also noted the rise in spending by Russian tourists, who placed 8th in 2017 rankings, with $31 billion spent, or an increase by 13 percent compared to 2016.

“Emerging markets have a key role in developing tourism and we are very pleased to see the return of Russia and Brazil, and the continuous growth of India in the world’s tourist spending. Emerging markets contribute to the growth and diversification of the tourist market at many destinations,” Secretary-General of the UNWTO, Zurab Pololikashvili, said.

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