Travel Boom: China’s Visitor Numbers Surge as Visa Rules Ease – Travel And Tour World

Reading Time: minute

China’s visa exemption strategy seems to be paying off, as evidenced by a significant increase in the influx of foreign tourists. In the initial six months of this year, foreign visits surged by 152.7%, totaling 14.64 million, according to figures from the National Immigration Administration.

Foreigners making use of the visa-free privilege exceeded 8.5 million, making up 58% of all inbound visits, which is a 190% rise from the previous year, the administration reports.

However, the total number of international tourists still falls below the pre-pandemic figures of 2019, which saw 15.53 million visitors in the first half of that year.

Amidst a downturn in local tourism due to economic challenges, China has been progressively expanding its list of countries eligible for up to 15-day visits for business, tourism, or family reasons.

The updated visa-free regulations now include numerous European countries and Australia. Additionally, 23 countries benefit from reciprocal visa waivers, with Thailand joining the list this year. Singaporeans and Malaysians are allowed up to 30 days per visit.

Last November, China also broadened its visa-free transit program to include 54 countries. This allows travelers from these nations to stay up to 144 hours in Beijing, Shanghai, and 20 other cities, provided they have a confirmed onward ticket to another destination. The policy extends to cruise passengers making port calls as well.