They will likely surpass that mark this year, says research firm Gamah International, thanks to a flood of press releases, tie-ins with newsletter writers and promotional shows like the recent New York Hard Assets Investment Conference, a free event at the Times Square Marriott Marquis that drew crowds in suits and T shirts and 170 sponsors.

FORBES: Gold Rush

And in New York City, a favoured destination due to its iconic image and excellent shopping, the Marriott Marquis has even replaced room numbers on the 44th floor with names, because the number four is considered bad luck in Chinese culture.

BBC: The US gears up for an explosion of Chinese tourism