China’s new visa-free program, allowing citizens of 5 countries to visit for up to 15 days without requiring a visa, is part of a broader effort by the country to attract more foreign tourists and boost its struggling tourism sector. This move follows the addition of other European countries to the visa-free list and signals a strategic attempt to lure more European tourists back to China. The expansion of visa-free policies is seen as a crucial step in revitalizing China’s tourism industry, which has seen growth in foreign arrivals, but has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels.
In its efforts to attract more tourists, China has implemented a 144-hour visa-free transit policy that covers 37 ports and applies to citizens from 54 countries, including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. This transit policy allows travelers to stay for up to six days in specific regions without a visa if they have onward travel plans. These visa-free policies have led to a significant increase in visitors from visa-free countries, with a 190% surge in the April-June quarter. However, despite this growth, the number of international visitors to China in 2024 is still far below the 2019 figures, highlighting the challenges that the country faces in fully reviving its tourism sector.
From January to July 2024, China attracted 17.25 million foreign tourists, a 130% increase compared to the previous year, with an expected contribution of over CNY 100 billion in consumer spending. Although these numbers are impressive, they fall short of the 49.1 million international visitors that China welcomed in 2019, signaling that there is still room for growth. The country has recorded over 8.5 million visa-free entries in the first half of 2024, accounting for 58% of all inbound travel, further emphasizing the impact of streamlined entry policies on tourism revival.
The National Immigration Administration has highlighted the positive impact of visa-free policies on both inbound and outbound travel, attributing the rise in trips by Chinese citizens and foreign visitors to these preferential policies. The latest data from the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday reflects the success of China’s visa-free strategy, with border inspection authorities facilitating 5.2 million exits and entries during the holiday period, including a significant increase in trips by foreign nationals. Chinese citizens also showed a 15% growth in their trips in and out of the country during this time, indicating the positive impact of visa-free policies on overall travel trends.
In conclusion, China’s visa-free program is a key element in the country’s strategy to rejuvenate its tourism sector and attract more foreign visitors. While the relaxation of visa rules has led to significant growth in international arrivals, China still faces the challenge of reaching pre-pandemic levels of tourism. The gradual expansion of visa-free policies and the implementation of preferential travel schemes have shown promising results, but sustained efforts will be needed to keep travelers coming back and ensure long-term success in the post-pandemic tourism landscape.
