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

China travel

Phoebe Zhang

Published: 7:00pm, 29 Mar 2024

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In the first two months of 2024, foreign passport holders made 2.95 million trips to or from China, a notable increase due in part to the country’s new visa-free entry policies, according to an official from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

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.

“During the Spring Festival period, the effect of China’s visa-free entry policy showed and there was an increase in tourists from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia and Singapore,” Shi said, referring to the Lunar New Year holiday in February.

The international cruise ship Zuiderdam docks at a port in Tianjin, China on March 11. Photo: Xinhua

From February to April, Germany’s TUI Cruises will bring more than 10,000 tourists to China.

On March 10, the international cruise ship Zuiderdam, operated by Holland America Line, brought 2,013 tourists from 47 countries to the port of Dalian in northeast China. It was the first time a large cruise ship has visited northern China since 2019, Shi said.

In recent months, China has granted a series of visa exemptions to foreign travellers to encourage inbound travel as the country faces a tourism slump amid an economic downturn.

In November, China expanded its visa-free transit policy to Norway, bringing the number of countries covered to 54.

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.

Those passing through the cities of Changsha, Guilin and Harbin may stay for up to 72 hours, while those transiting through 20 other cities – including Beijing and Shanghai – may stay for up to 144 hours.

During that time, travellers are allowed to engage in tourist and business activities.

Foreign visitor numbers yet to reach China’s pre-pandemic levels, data shows

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.