At this year's event, China's smart tourism solutions have been another highlight. At the Berlin fair, Hongtu Zhixing Network Technology Co, a travel-tech company that applies artificial intelligence to travel services, showcased its Seeking China AI itinerary-planning engine, an intelligent recommendation system, and a one-stop platform for cross-border travel services.

Chen Nan, the company's product director, demonstrated how its AI system could create a food-focused itinerary taking travelers from Chengdu, Sichuan province, to Shunde and the Chaoshan region in Guangdong province, while arranging reservations at lesser-known but highly regarded local restaurants along the way.

"According to our internal data, inbound travelers who use our AI planning tool report more than 40 percent higher satisfaction with their itineraries," says Li Zhouzhi, the company's marketing director.

Albin Loidl, president of the German Travel Association, says China is attracting a growing number of German tourists with its rich cultural heritage and diverse natural landscapes. He says the German travel industry hopes to deepen cooperation with China so that more German travelers can explore the country.

That growing interest is being supported by broader efforts to improve services for inbound travelers. Zheng Hao, vice-chair and secretary-general of the World Tourism Alliance, says China has been working to make international travel easier through visa and customs facilitation, expanded flight connections and upgrades to tourism infrastructure.