Chinese tourism consumption in 2012 averaged 875 euros ($1,139) per trip, making China the worldwide leader for the third consecutive year, the Shanghai-based Hurun Research Institute announced Monday.

Compared to tourists from other nations, Chinese travelers spent the most per trip, accounting for 24 percent of overall global tourism consumption in 2012.

Russian and Japanese tourists ranked second and third, respectively, according to The Chinese Luxury Traveler White Paper 2013, issued jointly by Hurun and International Luxury Travel Market Asia.

"Chinese luxury travelers have played a very important role in the global tourism industry," said Rupert Hoogewerf, chairman and chief researcher of the Hurun Report.

Data from the China Tourism Academy indicated that a total of 83.1 million Chinese people traveled abroad in 2012, an 18.4 percent increase from 2011. This makes China the biggest outbound tourism market in the world.

The most popular time to travel was the Spring Festival break in February, with the National Day holidays in October coming second.

Hoogewerf also noted that Chinese people prefer to purchase jewelry, watches and clothes for their friends and relatives during their travels, and that their favorite luxury brands are mostly from France and Italy, according to data compiled in 2012.

Meanwhile, gift purchases of the Chinese domestic alcohol brand Moutai decreased significantly from last year.

France continues to be the most popular destination among Chinese luxury travelers, closely followed by the US.

Chinese people have also showed increasing interest in travel to the United Kingdom and other European countries including Switzerland and Italy.

Another trend seen emerging in the report is that many travelers own vacation and resort property, both domestically and abroad.

The report shows that 57 percent of domestic luxury travelers possess holiday houses in China, especially in Sanya, South China's Hainan Province, as well as in Hong Kong. Additionally, 32 percent have overseas resort property, particularly in Australia.

Global Times