This summer, Chinese tourists are prioritizing Asian destinations for their travels, despite the allure of major events in Europe, such as the UEFA European Soccer Championship in Germany and the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. While these events have slightly boosted Europe’s appeal, Asia remains the preferred choice due to the convenience of visa-free policies available to Chinese citizens in several Asian countries.
Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates are particularly popular among Chinese travelers as they do not require visas. This visa exemption has led to a surge in tourism in these destinations, exceeding pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019. Additionally, a total of 20 countries, including Thailand, the Maldives, Kazakhstan, and Albania, have established mutual visa-free agreements with China, streamlining the travel process for Chinese tourists.
The impact of these visa-free policies is evident in countries like Laos, which has witnessed a remarkable 140% increase in Chinese tourist visits this summer. This surge is attributed to a new visa-free policy for Chinese tourist groups effective from July 1 to December 31. Similarly, Azerbaijan’s introduction of a one-year unilateral visa-free policy for Chinese tourists has sparked a 120% increase in searches for Azerbaijani travel products on Qunar.Com.
Australia continues to attract Chinese visitors with its five-year multiple-entry visa policy. Cities like Melbourne and Sydney are among the top choices for Chinese tourists, highlighting the strong connection between visa policies and travel preferences.
While Asia dominates the travel landscape for Chinese tourists, Europe has also seen a significant growth in Chinese tourists, especially tied to major events. Flight bookings to Paris in July have risen by over 70% from last year, with hotel bookings in the capital increasing nearly 150%. During the Olympics, group tour bookings to France have skyrocketed by 225%.
The summer has also been a booming season for inbound tourism to China. According to Trip.Com, orders for inbound trips have doubled from the previous year, with significant contributions from countries that enjoy visa-free entry to China, including France, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, and Thailand. This trend marks a 150% increase in inbound tourism to China.
The rise of Asian travel destinations among Chinese tourists and the growing influx of international travelers into China highlight the global impact of visa policies on travel choices. As more countries embrace visa-free policies and travel restrictions ease, the tourism industry is poised for further growth and transformation.
