China's expansion of visa-free countries expected to fuel inbound travel

Foreign tourists take photos with Chinese tourists in a traditional neighborhood in Changsha, Hunan province, on Aug 28, 2024. （CHINA DAILY）

Numerous listed companies are looking forward to the year-end inbound tourism market, revealing that they have made relevant preparations, as China announced the expansion of the scope of visa-free countries to ordinary passport holders from Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia and Japan from Nov 30, 2024 to Dec 31, 2025.

Optimizing its entry policy simultaneously, the expansion includes exchange visits as a reason for visa-free stays, and the extension of the visa-free stay period from 15 days to 30 days, the Securities Daily reported on Monday.

Data from online travel agency Ctrip showed that air ticket prices from Tokyo Narita International Airport to Changsha Huanghua International Airport have risen, with most exceeding 1,000 yuan ($138) and high-priced tickets mainly concentrated for bookings during the New Year's Day holiday and the Spring Festival holiday. Ticket prices from Tokyo Narita Airport to Chengdu, Qingdao, Chongqing, Shanghai, Beijing and other places have also increased during the New Year's Day and Spring Festival period.

According to a staff member of the China Southern Airlines, the expansion of the scope of visa-free countries is expected to bring an increase in consumption at the end of the year. Industries including aviation, hotel and catering are expected to be the first to benefit.

Juneyao Air said it will continue to optimize the routing of flights, increase market development efforts and pay attention to cost control, enriching various services and products to meet the different needs of the vast number of passengers.

Huatian Hotel highlighted its rating as a five-star hotel in Hunan province, adding that it will establish itself as a foreign reception base in Hunan. In addition to its main business, the hotel has developed its washing, housekeeping and other living services, to provide more abundant and convenient services for foreign guests.