Sunday, July 14, 2024 China Travel has become a hot topic on international social media platforms, drawing an increasing number of foreign tourists. This surge in interest follows the introduction of new visa-free policies, which have made traveling to China more accessible. The Summer Palace is bustling with activity, as Ren Chao leads a group of Spanish-speaking travelers.
Statistics from China’s National Immigration Administration reveal that 14.6 million foreigners entered China in the first half of 2024, marking a 152.7 percent year-on-year increase.
This spike follows China’s introduction of 15-day visa-free stays for certain countries and the extension of 72 or 144-hour transit visas to 54 countries. Many foreign travelers, previously interested in China, decided to visit following these liberal visa policies. Searching “China Travel” on social media reveals numerous trending videos of foreign tourists exploring China.
According to a tourism service provider, this has resulted in a significant boost in sales of various tourism-related products. Boon Sian Chai, Managing Director for International Markets at Trip.com Group, states that from January to June this year, bookings for flights, hotels, and tickets grew by 230 percent year-on-year.
Popular products include half-day and day tours of the Forbidden City, Shanghai Film Park, and tours to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang. China has significantly boosted its inbound tourism by expanding its visa-free trav.