China has witnessed a remarkable surge in inbound foreign travelers during the first half of this year, signaling a robust rebound in international engagement following the easing of entry requirements. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on Friday that 14.64 million inbound trips were made by foreigners from January to June, marking an impressive 152.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
The significant uptick in foreign visits is attributed to a series of favorable measures implemented since January aimed at facilitating travel for business, education, and tourism. These measures include expanded visa-free policies, relaxed visa application requirements, simplified procedures, exemptions from border checks for certain transit passengers, and the introduction of more convenient mobile payment options for foreigners in China.
According to the NIA, the number of visa-free entries made by foreigners exceeded 8.54 million in the first half of the year. This accounts for 52 percent of the total inbound trips and represents a staggering year-on-year surge of 190.1 percent.
“The easing of entry measures has significantly boosted international travel to China,” an NIA spokesperson stated at the press conference. “We anticipate this trend will continue in the coming months.”
The optimistic outlook is supported by a recent report from the China Tourism Academy (CTA), which predicts that the inbound tourism market for foreigners will recover to around 80 percent of 2019 levels by the end of the year. The report also indicates that trips by travelers from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, as well as the Taiwan region, are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels.
This resurgence in international travel not only reflects China’s efforts to reopen its borders but also underscores the global community’s growing interest in engaging with China’s dynamic economic and cultural landscape.
Business professionals, investors, academics, and cultural enthusiasts worldwide are resuming their journeys to China, eager to explore opportunities and rekindle connections that were paused due to the pandemic. The easing of entry restrictions facilitates this renewed exchange, promising mutual benefits and reinforcing China’s influential role in global affairs.
Reference(s):
China sees surge in inbound foreign travelers after favorable measures
cgtn.com
