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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