China remains a dominant force in global tourism expansion, leveraging its massive infrastructure and strategic policies. The country boasts the world’s largest high-speed rail network, spanning 45,000 km, which uniquely merges tourism with routine mobility, a feat unmatched by other emerging economies. Policy changes, such as the 2024 visa-free agreement for markets including Russia, immediately demonstrated this power, causing a 100% spike in bookings on key travel routes and underscoring China’s ability to drive demand through legislative action.
China: The technological and infrastructural titan
China stands out within the BRICS+ tourism landscape by expertly blending culture and technology. Its major cities, including Xi’an, Hangzhou, and Guangzhou, are pioneering the use of advanced systems like AI-driven tourism support, facial-recognition entry at attractions, and sophisticated smart-city mapping. This technological integration is creating a fluid and modern visitor journey, setting a new standard for tourism modernisation across the entire BRICS+ bloc. Consequently, China is not just a competitor in global tourism—it is actively developing the technological frameworks that other nations will eventually adopt.
India: Cultural magnetism meets expanding global connectivity
India stands out as one of the most vibrant tourism sectors within the BRICS+ group. A key driver of this success is its administrative accessibility, facilitated by the world’s most extensive e-visa program, which now covers over 170 nations. This combination of cultural allure and streamlined entry processes proved highly effective, with the country registering 9.9 million international arrivals in 2024, demonstrating its strong competitive position in the global market.
India’s tourism sector is defined by its exceptional depth, moving beyond its traditional strength in heritage circuits like Jaipur, Varanasi, and Hampi. The country is strategically expanding its visitor base through emerging sectors, including medical tourism, film tourism, eco-tourism in the Himalayas, and wellness retreats centered on yoga. Significant infrastructure investments, notably major airport expansions in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Goa, underscore India’s ambition to evolve from a destination heavily focused on history and culture into a global tourism powerhouse. These developments are expected to propel India into the top five global tourism markets by the early 2030s, thereby boosting its influence within the BRICS+ alliance.
UAE: The BRICS+ luxury giant and global transit capital
The UAE’s inclusion in BRICS+ significantly reshapes the tourism sector. It is arguably the most powerful tourism player within the entire bloc. In 2023, Dubai alone hosted 17.15 million visitors, a figure that surpasses the tourism achievements of many developed countries. Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are expected to exceed their pre-pandemic records again by 2025. This growth is fueled by luxury tourism, major international conferences, global events, and unparalleled aviation links via Emirates and Etihad.
The UAE sets the standard for brand power within BRICS+, establishing itself as a global leader in hospitality innovation, hosting capacity, high-end retail, and clean energy tourism. The country’s swift embrace of green mobility, exemplified by 100% electric public transport zones and solar-powered tourist facilities, makes it an environmental benchmark for other BRICS+ nations. Critically, the UAE’s inclusion provides the BRICS+ bloc with a crucial asset it previously lacked: a world-class luxury destination consistently ranked among the top five globally for tourism.
South Africa: Africa’s premier tourism gateway
South Africa holds the position as the most competitive tourism economy on the African continent, having welcomed 8.92 million visitors in 2024. This strength stems from the wide variety of tourism options it offers, including safaris, marine experiences, wine routes, heritage sites, and vibrant cosmopolitan cities. These attractions are underpinned by the region’s most sophisticated tourism infrastructure. Key destinations like Cape Town and Johannesburg are consistently ranked as Africa’s premier urban spots, while Kruger National Park remains globally recognized as an iconic wildlife destination.
South Africa is strategically important to BRICS+, symbolizing the bloc’s engagement with the anticipated tourism surge across Africa. Given the growth in Africa’s aviation and hospitality industries, South Africa is set to serve as the main tourism entry point for BRICS+ visitors and capital investment into the continent.
The future of BRICS+ tourism: A shift in global power
The emergence of China, India, the UAE, and South Africa as major players marks a significant shift in global tourism, challenging the long-standing dominance of Western nations. These four economies are projected to account for an increasing portion of international tourism movements and global travel infrastructure investment by 2035, carrying important strategic implications for the BRICS+ bloc.
The growing influence of BRICS+ is projected to reshape the global tourism landscape through three key developments. Firstly, the bloc is set to gain greater command over major international tourism routes, including the vital Middle East-Asia aviation corridors and the evolving Africa-Asia cultural exchange networks.
Secondly, BRICS+ is emerging as a global frontrunner in sustainable and climate-conscious travel, driven by innovative practices such as electric mobility in China, conservation-focused tourism in South Africa, luxury green initiatives in the UAE, and eco-Himalayan tourism in India.
Finally, by collaborating on initiatives like harmonized travel visas, shared digital tourism platforms, and joint branding campaigns, BRICS+ has the potential to establish one of the world’s most cohesive and integrated tourism systems.
Conclusion: BRICS+ and the new architecture of global tourism
The global tourism landscape is being dramatically redefined by China, India, the UAE, and South Africa. These nations are spearheading the future of world travel, leveraging their impressive scale, advanced infrastructure, deep cultural heritage, and significant strategic investments. The BRICS+ collaboration, driven by these powerhouses, is rapidly emerging as a leading, highly influential force in the global travel economy, fundamentally changing the dynamics of international tourism.
Written By:
Sesona Mdlokovana
Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group
Africa Specialist
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