International tourism refers to cross-border tourism activities, typically consisting of two main types:

Inbound tourism (tourism activities of foreign residents visiting their own country)

Outbound tourism (the travel activities of domestic residents to other countries).

Its core definition can be traced back to the standard proposed by the Statistical Commission of the League of Nations in 1937: a person who leaves their country of residence to visit another country for more than 24 hours. In 1991, the World Tourism Organization further refined and clarified that "tourists" refer to a group of people who stay in a non resident country for no more than one year and do not primarily seek economic benefits.

International tourism can also be subdivided by geographical scope:

Inter regional tourism (spanning six major tourist regions worldwide, such as East Asia and the Pacific to Europe)

Intra regional tourism (cross-border travel within the same tourist area, such as between European countries).

As an important participant in the global tourism market, China is not only a popular destination for inbound tourists, but also a major source country for outbound tourists, and is known as the "darling" of the global tourism market. International tourism not only promotes cultural exchange (such as experiencing local customs and cultural landscapes), but also requires attention to safety risks (such as natural disasters and overseas insurance arrangements).