China’s recent decision to extend visa-free travel to more countries signals an effort to revitalize its struggling tourism sector, which has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has announced visa waivers for Australia and New Zealand, adding to the list of nations already enjoying this privilege. Premier Li Qiang made the announcement during his visit to Australia, emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties between the two countries. These initiatives aim to facilitate personal exchanges and promote tourism, business, and family visits between China and other nations.
China has been gradually expanding its visa-free access to various countries over the past year. In addition to Australia and New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Ireland, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg are among the countries included in this program. The visa-free policy allows passport holders from these nations to stay in China for up to 15 days for tourism, business, family visits, or transit purposes. The Chinese government has also signed mutual visa exemption agreements with Singapore and Thailand, further simplifying travel arrangements for foreigners.
Despite the gradual recovery of inbound tourism in China, the country has seen a significant decline in foreign visitors since the pandemic began. In 2023, China welcomed only 36% of the number of foreign visitors recorded in 2019. However, recent data from Chinese online travel agencies show promising signs of growth, with an increase in inbound travel bookings during the Lunar New Year holiday. International travelers are extending their stays in China, indicating a growing interest in exploring the country’s attractions and culture.
To enhance the travel experience for international tourists, China has strengthened partnerships with major payment organizations like Ant Group and Mastercard. The International Consumer Friendly Zones program in Shanghai aims to make transactions smoother for global travelers by collaborating with overseas payment partners. Additionally, the country has relaxed entry regulations for tourists arriving via cruise ships, allowing visa-free stays for up to 15 days. These measures are designed to attract more international visitors and boost the economic potential of inbound tourism in China.
Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group, highlighted the economic benefits of increasing inbound tourism in China, stating that it has the potential to yield significant growth in GDP. By raising inbound tourism to the international median of 1.5% of GDP, China could see a growth of over RMB 1.3 trillion ($179 billion). This underscores the importance of promoting tourism and facilitating international travel to drive economic development in the country. With the recent visa waivers and visa-free initiatives, China is positioning itself as an attractive destination for global travelers, inviting them to explore its diverse attractions and experience its rich culture.
