China is witnessing a remarkable resurgence in tourism as simplified visa procedures and expanded visa-free policies attract a surge of international visitors. In the first half of this year, the Chinese mainland welcomed 14.64 million foreign tourists, marking an astonishing 152 percent increase from the previous year, according to the National Immigration Administration. This significant uptick underscores China’s potential to become the world’s most visited tourist destination.
The streamlined visa processes have made travel to China more accessible than ever before. From January to June, over 8.5 million visa-free entries were recorded, accounting for 52 percent of inbound travel—a 190 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The country’s expanded visa-free transit policy, implemented in November, allows citizens from 54 countries to stay visa-free for up to 144 hours in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, provided they have a valid onward ticket. This policy has been embraced by travelers, with 33,700 foreign visitors taking advantage of it in the first half of the year, seven times more than the previous year.
China has been proactive in forging visa waiver agreements, securing arrangements with over 40 countries, including reciprocal agreements with more than 20 nations. Recent additions to China’s expanding visa waiver program include New Zealand, Australia, and Poland. Furthermore, a one-year trial of visa-free travel was introduced for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia in December, and extended in March to include Ireland, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. These efforts reflect China’s commitment to making travel more convenient for international visitors.
While these developments have significantly boosted tourism, challenges remain. Over 80 percent of daily transactions in China occur on mobile platforms, with payment methods like WeChat Pay and Alipay dominating a virtually cashless society. This shift poses difficulties for foreign visitors accustomed to paying with credit cards or cash, as many checkpoints, transportation networks, hotels, and restaurants accept only these digital payment methods.
Recognizing this hurdle, China has begun implementing solutions to accommodate the needs of international tourists. Last year, Alipay and WeChat introduced services allowing foreign Visa and Mastercard bank cards to be linked to their platforms, facilitating easier transactions for visitors. Additionally, efforts are underway to simplify processes at checkpoints and develop multilingual mobile applications utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance the travel experience for foreign guests.
The tourism industry’s revival is not only a boon for the sector itself but also a positive indicator for the overall services sector and the economy at large. Travel and tourism contribute significantly to the global economy, accounting for $9.9 trillion or 9.1 percent of the global GDP in 2023. Projections suggest this figure will grow to $11.1 trillion in 2024 and $16 trillion by 2034.
In China, the travel and tourism industry plays a vital role. Its contribution to the country’s GDP reached around 8 percent in 2023, still down from 11.6 percent in 2019. Total tourism revenue was 4.91 trillion yuan ($677 billion) in 2023, below the 6.63 trillion yuan achieved in 2019. However, with the current growth trajectory, total revenue this year could surpass pre-pandemic levels. The government’s concerted efforts to stimulate the tourism sector are aligned with this optimistic outlook, deserving recognition and support.
As China continues to open its doors wider to the world, the blend of rich cultural heritage, modern advancements, and enhanced accessibility positions it as a premier destination for global travelers. The potential for growth is immense, and with ongoing initiatives to improve the visitor experience, China is well on its way to becoming the world’s most visited tourist destination.
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China set to be the world's most visited tourist destination
cgtn.com
