China is buzzing with international vibes again! 🎉 In the first half of this year, the Chinese mainland welcomed a whopping 14.64 million inbound trips made by foreigners. That's a massive 152.7% jump compared to last year! 😲
So, what's behind this travel boom? Since January, China has rolled out some traveler-friendly measures. They've expanded visa-free policies, relaxed visa application requirements, simplified procedures, and even made mobile payments more convenient for foreigners. Talk about a warm welcome! 🥳
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) revealed that over 8.54 million foreigners entered the country visa-free between January and June. That's 52% of all inbound trips and a surge of 190.1% year-on-year! 🚀
And guess what? The best is yet to come! The NIA expects even more foreign friends to visit in the second half of the year. A report from the China Tourism Academy (CTA) predicts that inbound tourism will recover to around 80% of 2019 levels. Trips by travelers from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and the Taiwan region are set to bounce back to pre-COVID times. 🌟
So if you've been dreaming of exploring the Great Wall, indulging in delicious dumplings, or just soaking up rich culture, now's the time! Pack your bags and let the adventures begin! 🧳🌏
Reference(s):
China sees surge in inbound foreign travelers after favorable measures
cgtn.com
