Advertisement
‘They’re dying to come’: Asia braced for return of Chinese tourists, but India, Japan recoil
- India, Japan reintroducing negative Covid-19 tests for Chinese travellers as mandatory conditions of entry, while Philippines could follow suit
- Businesses, property market eye economic boom, but excitement tempered by potential rebound of virus cases, pressure on healthcare services
5-MIN READ5-MIN
24
In Singapore the rush is on to hire tour guides, Thai property agents are prepping for a bonanza and Malaysian traders are swiftly swapping Christmas decorations for red lanterns – Asia is bracing for the return of Chinese tourists to the region after three years sequestered at home by the pandemic.
The travel plans of the world’s largest population are poised to stress-test the capacity of tourism in countries which are only just rebounding from the evisceration of the pandemic years, yet businesses are relishing the economic shot in the arm that is likely to be delivered over the coming days and weeks.
But as China’s beleaguered people rush to book flights – many for their first trips overseas in three years, others for their first ever holiday abroad – some nations are concerned about the risks of a revival of the pandemic just as they hope to have banished it.
Advertisement
India and Japan are introducing negative Covid-19 tests as a mandatory condition of entry from China. In the Philippines, Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista on Wednesday said he was in favour of imposing Covid measures including testing on inbound travellers from China.
Yet for most of a region which had to suddenly digest the absence of their No 1 visitors when China closed its doors in early 2020, their return, several months earlier than expected, is a cause for cheer.
Advertisement
China said it would drop inbound quarantine on January 8, sparking a scramble for outward flights to top destinations Japan, South Korea and Thailand.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x