China reports more trips by foreign travellers in first 2 months of 2024 as visa-free policies take effect
- Foreigners make 2.95 million trips to and from China in January and February, more than double the amount in the previous two-month period
- Tourism ministry official notes uptick in visitors from countries covered by new visa rules, including France, Germany, Spain, Malaysia and Singapore
Shi Zeyi, deputy director of the ministry’s bureau of international exchange and cooperation, said on Friday that the figure was 2.3 times more than in the November-December period and 41.5 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
From February to April, Germany’s TUI Cruises will bring more than 10,000 tourists to China.
Citizens from these countries do not need a visa to enter China as long as they have booked an onward ticket to a third country or region.
During that time, travellers are allowed to engage in tourist and business activities.
In December, China started allowing travellers from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to enter the country without a visa for 15 days for business, tourism, family visits and transit.
A mutual visa exemption agreement between China and Singapore came into effect on February 9, which was Lunar New Year’s Eve. The agreement allows citizens of the two countries to travel, visit family and go on business trips for up to 30 days.
According to Shi, China will take more steps to make travel easier for foreign visitors, including making the payment process at tourist attractions, performance venues and hotels more convenient.
China will also provide more tourism services and ramp up international advertising to push for more inbound travel, he said.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, China has mutual visa exemption agreements with 22 countries. More than 60 countries and regions give Chinese citizens visa-free access or visas on arrival.