China is experiencing a remarkable rebound in foreign tourism, with 14.64 million inbound trips recorded in the first half of 2023. This marks a staggering 152.7% increase compared to the same period last year, thanks to a range of measures introduced since January aimed at welcoming more international visitors.
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) highlighted that visa-free entries alone surpassed 8.54 million from January to June, accounting for 52% of all inbound trips and representing a year-on-year surge of 190.1%. These figures underscore the effectiveness of the recent policies designed to make traveling to China easier and more attractive for foreigners.
Key initiatives include expanded visa-free policies, relaxed visa application requirements, simplified entry procedures, exemptions from border checks for certain transit passengers, and the introduction of more convenient mobile payment options for visitors. These changes have significantly lowered the barriers for tourists, business travelers, and students looking to explore opportunities in China.
Looking ahead, the NIA anticipates that the number of foreign visitors will continue to rise throughout the second half of the year. Supporting this optimism, a recent report from the China Tourism Academy (CTA) projects that the inbound tourism market for foreigners is set to recover to approximately 80% of its 2019 levels. Additionally, trips from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and the Taiwan region are expected to return to pre-COVID numbers, further boosting China's tourism sector.
This surge in tourism not only reflects China's growing appeal as a travel destination but also signals broader economic resilience as the country continues to open its doors to the world.
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China sees surge in inbound foreign travelers after favorable measures
cgtn.com
