HONOLULU -- The first group of tourists from mainland China on official leisure tours to the United States arrived in Honolulu Tuesday.

China is the fastest growing outbound market and Hawaii hopes to cash in.

The travelers are not the government-approved business travelers of the past. The group of Chinese visitors is in the islands for fun. Hawaii is the last stop after New York, Washington, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

Industry leaders project tourism growth from China anywhere from 15 to 50 percent each year from now on.

"It's a market we've always felt was taking off, and we've been in that market for the last four years waiting for it to do what it's doing," Hawaii Tourism Authority President Rex Johnson said.

The group from Beijing went up to the Pali Lookout for a blast of the winds. The journalists traveling with the group said the sightseers are struck by the clean fresh air and how friendly everyone is.

Galaxy Tours arranged the trip, which includes a two-night stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

The first stop was a Chinese lunch. The second stop the Pali Lookout and third stop was the Halona Blow Hole.

On Wednesday they will squeeze in Pearl Harbor and a dinner with the governor.

"They go back home to Beijing the day after tomorrow, early flight," said Peter Chang of Galaxy Tours. "We go to Duty Free and then the beach. Everybody's happy."

Chinese visitors spend about $6,000 on a U.S. trip. That's more than most other foreigners.

Traveler Luo Wen already said he plans to bring his wife next year.

A trickle of the Chinese travel market began on Tuesday. Will it turn into a river of Chinese tourists? Industry officials are not sure what to expect, but the door has been cracked open.