The increasing popularity of “China tourism” is one of the most real and vivid “China stories”.
On August 19, The State Council Information Office held a series of themed press conferences on “Promoting high-quality development”. Liu Haitao, deputy director of the National Immigration Administration, introduced that from January to July this year, 17.254 million foreigners entered the country at various ports, an increase of 129.9%. 846,000 port visas were issued, up 182.9% year on year.
How popular “China Travel” is, this set of data gives the most intuitive proof. The popularity of “China tourism” stems not only from the unique charm of China, the openness and inclusiveness of Chinese society and the warmth and friendliness of the Chinese people, but also the fruits of China’s continued high-level opening-up.
In recent years, while continuously expanding the scope of visa-free countries, China has introduced a series of policies to facilitate foreigners’ coming to China: from expanding the “circle of friends” to expanding the scope of countries where the 72/144-hour transit visa-free policy applies; To further meet the payment facilitation needs of foreign nationals in China, optimize the payment service environment, and ensure cash and credit card payments in addition to mobile payments; To improve the convenience of accommodation, relax the restrictions on foreigners staying in hotels, and coordinate the network operation platform to offer hotel English courses.
During their travels, foreign tourists can not only experience the beauty of China’s food, but also experience China’s modern infrastructure and rich history and culture. With the continuous improvement of the convenience of foreigners to work, study and travel in China, it is believed that “China tourism” will continue to maintain a high popularity.
According to the public data of the National Bureau of Statistics in 2023, the average daily consumption of foreigners visiting China is 3,459 yuan, which is expected to directly stimulate consumption of more than 100 billion yuan. More and more foreigners travel to China, directly bringing fire to China’s inbound tourism market, but the significance of the “China tourism” boom is more than that.
Taking inbound tourism as a starting point can create channels for China to continue to promote high-level opening up and create a good international environment for the country’s economic development. Encouraging more foreigners to do business and work in China will help promote the cross-border flow of various factors of production. To further meet the payment facilitation needs of foreign nationals in China, optimize the payment service environment, and ensure cash and credit card payments in addition to mobile payments; To improve the convenience of accommodation, relax the restrictions on foreigners staying in hotels, and coordinate the network operation platform to offer hotel English courses. It will also bring a higher level of freedom and efficiency to trade in goods and services, transportation, capital, data and information exchanges. At a time when global economic recovery is weak and protectionism is on the rise, China’s wider opening up will undoubtedly inject greater confidence and momentum into boosting the world economy and advancing economic globalization.
At present, foreigners who are in urgent need of coming to China for business, visit and other activities can apply for port visas from 100 port visa authorities in 73 cities across the country. Foreign business investors can also enjoy a number of convenient services, such as re-entry visas, to ensure that they can come and stay when they want.
It should also be noted that the increasing popularity of “China travel” is the most real and vivid “China story”. When “city not city” is more quickly becoming a buzzword on the Internet, when “foreign Internet celebrities” are frantically planting grass in China’s popular tourist destinations and famous scenic spots, and when more and more foreigners are using social media to show what they have seen and heard in China, then in fact, “China Tour” has become a unique window to show a modern China and open China to the world stage.
In recent years, while continuously expanding the scope of visa-free countries, China has introduced a series of policies to facilitate foreigners’ coming to China: from expanding the “circle of friends” to expanding the scope of countries where the 72/144-hour transit visa-free policy applies; To further meet the payment facilitation needs of foreign nationals in China, optimize the payment service environment, and ensure cash and credit card payments in addition to mobile payments; To improve the convenience of accommodation, relax the restrictions on foreigners staying in hotels, and coordinate the network operation platform to offer hotel English courses.
“Amity between the people holds the key to state-to-state relations.” In the next step, the National Immigration Administration will continue to optimize and improve the policies and measures such as transit visa exemption, expand the scope of activities, increase the linkage area, optimize the opening layout, and enhance the convenience of foreigners in China. Related tourism, transportation, hotels, shopping and other industries also need to seize the opportunity, continue to optimize service processes, improve service quality, and make “China tour” the most memorable journey for tourists around the world.The popularity of “China tourism” stems not only from the unique charm of China, the openness and inclusiveness of Chinese society and the warmth and friendliness of the Chinese people, but also the fruits of China’s continued high-level opening-up.
