Research from the World Travel and Tourism Council pegs business travel to China at almost $300 billion by 2023, and as the country’s financial hub Shanghai stands to gain the most. The easing of visa requirements for Americans is yet another boon.Visitors transiting between two foreign countries can now stay in the city for as long as six days without needing a Chinese visa.

The city’s two major airports (one primarily for domestic and regional traffic), three railway stations and the country’s largest port make it a virtual web of connectivity within and between the region and the world.

Delta Air Lines is investing resources in a stronger codeshare partnership with China Eastern Airlines, which has a hub at both of the city’s airports. Delta sees significant opportunity in the region and hopes to make Shanghai its primary Asian hub in the coming years, instead of Tokyo where it has fewer codeshare partners to facilitate onward connections.

As a sign that Shanghai’s measures are succeeding, other airlines and hotel companies are basking in the growth, which has ripple effects across the country. United Airlines has launched new service to three mainland Chinese cities including Chengdu, Hangzhou and Xi’an, each of which has dual potential for business and tourism growth and previously had no nonstop flights to the US.

Xiamen Airlines is starting service between Seattle/Tacoma and Shenzhen, a new route for both airports and the first US service for the Chinese airline. SkyTrax five-star carrier Hainan Airlines continues