Chinese tourists flock en masse to neighboring countries. As of early January, bookings to destinations in Southeast Asia, Japan have been brisk for the Spring Festival. (Photo provided to China Daily)
Tens of thousands of tourists have booked trips during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, China's biggest online travel agency Ctrip reports.
More than 60 percent of travelers have opted for experiences in more than 280 destinations across more than 60 countries.
As of early January, bookings to destinations in Southeast Asia, Japan, Canada, Australia and Europe have been brisk for the Spring Festival, the travel agency says.
Family groups have accounted for 70 percent of this total.
"A considerable number of countries have offered visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry, which have made outbound travel very convenient," says Peng Liang, director of Ctrip's public relations department.
As of early January, a total of 67 countries and regions abroad have offered visa-free or landing-visa permits to Chinese citizens.
Rwanda began offering landing visas at the beginning of the year, and South Korea granted 15-day visa-free entry until March 31 to Chinese travelers who have visited the country in the past five years or who have bought tickets worth more than $188 to the Winter Olympics Games through designated travel agencies.
Barbados, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Serbia, Tunisia, Qatar and Gabon all sweetened their visa polices last year in a bid to attract more Chinese tourists.
Tourist numbers have grown significantly in countries that have recently relaxed their visa policies, according to Ctrip.
Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Morocco, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt are expected to be the top destinations for this year's Spring Festival.
In addition to relaxing visa policies, favorable exchange rates, increasing numbers of flight routes and special tour services targeting Chinese travelers have all made Southeast Asian countries, especially Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, popular destinations for Chinese holidaymakers.
Laos enjoyed the biggest growth in the number of Chinese tourists, a 110 percent increase during 2017, with more than 500,000 visits made by Chinese nationals to the country.
Thailand received 9.5 million Chinese visitors in 2017, an increase of 9 percent over 2016. Chinese tourists became the biggest force in Cambodia's tourism market by contributing over 1 million visits last year, a rise of 45 percent. Vietnam also saw a huge surge in the number of Chinese travelers, rising 48.6 percent to just over 4 million visits in 2017.
