(Yicai Global) Sept. 29 -- The number of inbound global tourists in China reached a record high of 138 million in 2016, making up more than 10 percent of the global total, online news outlet China.com.cn cited a newly released report from Beijing-based research institution China Tourism Academy (CTA) as saying yesterday.

The increase in tourist numbers was driven by more convenient visa procedures, more frequent international flights, and tax-free and tax-rebate businesses. Foreign exchange revenues related to inbound tourism reached USD120 billion last year.

Inbound tourism is a basic indicator of the strength of a country's tourist industry on an international level, stated the report.

Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan were the key markets for inbound tourism in China, representing nearly 80 percent of the total.