In a significant move to boost tourism and foster international ties, China announced on Monday that it will include Australia on its list of unilateral visa-free countries. This decision is part of China's ongoing efforts to create a more welcoming environment for global visitors and to revitalize its tourism industry.
This announcement follows China's recent inclusion of New Zealand in its visa-free arrangement last week. The impact of these decisions has been immediate. According to Trip.com, an online travel service provider, searches by New Zealand tourists for China-related keywords surged by 65 percent the day after the announcement.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has also become an increasingly popular destination for Chinese tourists this summer. "As of June 14, air ticket bookings from China to New Zealand have more than doubled year-on-year," said Xiao Peng, an employee of Chinese online travel platform Qunar.
"Cities like Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, and Wellington are very popular among Chinese tourists, with bookings for related tourism products tripling year-on-year," Xiao added.
Industry experts anticipate that tourist numbers between China and these countries could return to 2019 levels this summer. The mutual increase in tourism signifies a positive trend toward normalizing international travel and strengthening economic and cultural exchanges.
These developments are expected to enhance relationships and provide new opportunities for businesses, travelers, and communities across China, Australia, and New Zealand.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
