The number of foreign tourists visiting China is nearing pre-pandemic levels, thanks to the country’s recent expansion of its visa-free policy, industry experts reported over the weekend.
As of Saturday, citizens from nine additional countries, including Japan, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania, can now enter China without a visa. This allows stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, or transit. With this change, the visa-free entry policy now applies to 38 nations, while nationals from 54 countries are eligible for 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transits.
Wu Liyun, a tourism professor at Beijing International Studies University, highlighted that the expanded visa-free policy, along with the transit exemptions, will “undoubtedly provide a significant boost to China’s inbound tourism and improve its global tourism image.”
Wu also expressed optimism, stating, “This year will likely be the best for inbound tourism since the pandemic, with growing interest in China.”
Surge in Travel Searches and Flight Bookings
Following the announcement of the visa-free travel expansion on November 22, travel platforms have reported notable increases in search activity for Chinese destinations and flight bookings.
Within 30 minutes of the announcement, searches for Chinese destinations surged by 65% on Trip.com’s European sites and 112% on its Japanese site. Inquiries for flights from Japan to China also saw a significant rise. The company added that travelers from visa-free countries accounted for about a third of their bookings to China.
Trip.com also noted a 70% increase in the number of flights from Japan to China in November compared to the previous year. At the same time, the average one-way fare, including taxes, dropped by approximately 15%.
Tourism Recovery on Track
In 2019, the year before the pandemic disrupted global travel, nearly 32 million foreign visitors traveled to China. As of September this year, 24.7 million overseas passport holders had visited China, according to the National Immigration Administration.
Between July and September 2024, the third quarter alone saw 8.2 million foreign visitors – a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Of these, 4.9 million used visa-free entry.
Sichuan, one of China’s most popular provinces for foreign visitors, reported nearly 980,000 accommodation registrations for international tourists in the first 11 months of 2024 – more than three times the number recorded in the same period of 2023. Additionally, Beijing Daxing International Airport processed five times as many 144-hour temporary entry permits in November compared to last year.
Beyond Tourism: Fostering International Relations
Zhou Mingqi, founder of tourism consultancy Jingjian Consulting, emphasized that the visa-free policy’s impact extends beyond tourism and economic gains. While inbound tourism revenue is still a small fraction of outbound tourism, Zhou noted the policy’s importance in fostering international exchanges, especially at the grassroots level.
“The primary goal is to strengthen communication with other countries, showcasing China’s positive image and inviting people to experience the country firsthand,” Zhou said. He also pointed out that the policy could open up opportunities for foreign investment.
As China continues to ease travel restrictions, it is poised to see a steady rise in international tourism, with long-term benefits for both the tourism industry and broader diplomatic relations.
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