Sunday, June 23, 2024 Visa-free policies are set to significantly boost outbound summer travel for Chinese tourists this year. Data from Chinese online travel agencies reveal a substantial rise in searches for flights and hotels, indicating a strong resurgence in international travel. According to Trip.
com, searches for flights and hotels have increased by about 20 percent year-on-year. Additionally, the weekly query volume for summer travel from June 10-14 saw a 15 percent rise compared to the same period in 2019. This surge is largely attributed to recent visa facilitation policies, which have made international travel more accessible for Chinese tourists.
The announcement of extended visa exemptions between China and Malaysia has led to a notable increase in interest. China extended its visa exemption until the end of 2025, while Malaysia extended its policy until the end of 2026. Furthermore, Tongcheng Travel highlighted a significant increase in searches related to Australia.
This followed China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ announcement of multiple-entry visas for business, tourism, and family visits. These visas will be valid for up to five years, allowing stays of no more than 90 days each time. Xu Xiaolei, a marketing manager at a company, noted that Chinese tourists’ growing demand, coupled with the recovery of domestic consumption, has created a strong foundation for an outbound travel boom.
Xu reported that his company’s outbound travel has increased by m.
