China expands visa-free entry policy to more countries, boosting tourism demand
According to CCTV News, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on November 22 that from November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025, China will implement a trial visa-free entry policy for ordinary passport holders from Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan. With this addition, the number of countries enjoying visa-free entry to China will increase to 38, sparking a surge in travel interest in China.
Following the announcement, searches for Chinese destinations on various travel platforms soared. On one European travel platform, searches for Chinese destinations increased by 65%, while on a Japanese platform, the growth was even more significant at 112%. Flight searches from multiple Japanese cities to China also showed a sharp rise.
South Korea, already part of China's visa-free "circle of friends," has also seen a dramatic increase in demand for travel to China. According to Asia Business Daily, bookings for group tours to China on a South Korean travel platform surged by 91% between November 1 and 5. South Korean airlines are also expanding their China routes, with Asiana Airlines increasing its Incheon-Beijing flights from 14 to 20 weekly.
Official data reveals that 8.186 million foreign visitors entered China through its ports in the third quarter of this year, marking a 48.8% year-on-year increase. Notably, 4.885 million people entered via visa-free policies, a 78.6% year-on-year increase. As more international tourists flood China, the country's winter tourism industry continues to heat up.
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