China's Spring Festival Holidays Bring in a New Era of Tourism

China's Spring Festival Holidays Bring in a New Era of Tourism

As the Spring Festival holidays drew to a close, China's tourism industry saw a surge in international visitors, with over 3.43 million tourists from 175 countries and regions arriving in the country, representing a 6.2% increase compared to last year.

In a press conference held yesterday, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang emphasized that this growth is a testament to China's continuous efforts to optimize its inbound policies and make it easier for international friends to experience the country's unique charm.

When asked about the latest developments in China's tourism industry, including the announcement that tourists from Southeast Asian countries can now enter Yunnan Province without visas since February 10th, Geng Shuang introduced a range of measures aimed at enhancing the overall travel experience for international visitors.

These include the implementation of cashless payment systems in major tourist cities, allowing foreign tourists to enjoy convenient mobile payments. According to latest data, China's UnionPay and NetEase handled over 124.54% more transactions from overseas visitors during the Spring Festival period, with transaction values increasing by 90.49%.

Furthermore, various departments have rolled out and implemented visa-free policies for tourists, streamlining border crossings and facilitating cross-cultural communication. The government has also piloted a new high-efficiency departure tax mode, allowing international visitors to enjoy seamless services from check-in to checkout.

'From online to offline, from the gate to the store, China's 'smooth' experience is designed to make international tourists feel at home,' Geng Shuang explained. 'This is not just about providing a comfortable stay, but also showcasing an open, confident, civilized, and safe China.'

Geng Shuang noted that over 110 measures have been taken to facilitate travel between China and other countries, including the implementation of single-entry visas for 38 countries and a 240-hour transit visa policy. These policies reflect China's unwavering commitment to high-level opening-up and its practical actions to build an open-type world economy.

In the future, China will continue to optimize its inbound policies, expanding the scope of visa-free entries and creating more opportunities for international friends to experience the country's unique charm.