The Chinese tourist situation has little to do with cannabis, flu in China, tourist deaths, reduced flights, etc., as some people suggest.
" It's the economy, stupid ". A comment that appeared during the 1992 US presidential election.
The Chinese economy is in a bad way ( same for many countries world wide) and the effects are felt most by that section of society who join group tours. Also, unemployment amongst the young, is high in China, which restricts the travel instincts of the younger, solo traveller.