Industry experts see the move as a sign of China's commitment to increased openness, anticipating a boost to inbound tourism, catering, and other related sectors, along with more cultural exchanges between China and other nations.
To facilitate cross-border travel, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that starting November 8, 2024, ordinary passport holders from these nine countries will be able to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 15 days for tourism, business, family visits, or transit.
"The visa-free policy is already showing a positive impact on inbound tourism. We’re developing more travel packages to welcome visitors from these countries," said Chen Kai, manager of Beijing Botrip Tour Holiday Co., which focuses on inbound tourism.
Xu Xiaolei, a marketing manager at CYTS Tours Holding Co., mentioned, "Since the announcement, we've enhanced cooperation with agencies in the visa-free countries to support international services." Xu also noted the company plans to offer foreign tourists expanded options, showcasing lesser-known destinations along with popular cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.
Meanwhile, Yonhap News Agency reported that South Korea's tourism sector is anticipating a surge in demand for travel to China. South Korean travel agency Hana Tour shared that the visa-free policy has reduced the time and costs associated with visa applications, which it expects will renew travel interest in China.
Industry insiders believe the policy will be especially appealing to younger travelers, aged 20 to 40, who may not have considered traveling to China previously. Travel agencies are updating their offerings to meet the preferences of different age groups.
Chen noted that with more international tourists, China's tourism sector is expected to recover and grow, with benefits extending to the catering, accommodation, and transportation industries. "This expansion of visa-free policies is warmly welcomed by tourists and countries alike, reflecting China's dedication to broadening its global engagement," Xu added.
According to the National Immigration Administration, in the third quarter of this year, 8.186 million foreign nationals entered China — a 48.8 percent increase compared to last year — with 4.885 million entering through visa-free options, marking a 78.6 percent rise year-on-year.
