The Tide News App, edited by Sun Weijia

On June 13, China announced the inclusion of New Zealand in its unilateral visa-free entry policy. Within half an hour of this announcement, a domestic travel platform reported a 65% increase in searches for China-related keywords by New Zealand tourists. During the Dragon Boat Festival period, inbound tourism orders surged by 115% compared to 2023, with visitors mainly arriving from the USA, UK, Australia, South Korea, and Malaysia. These figures highlight the vibrant growth of China's inbound tourism market.

With the gradual recovery of the international tourism market and the deepening implementation of China's visa-free policies with multiple countries, the inbound tourism market in China is experiencing unprecedented development opportunities. More and more foreign tourists are embarking on spontaneous journeys to explore Chinese culture, injecting new vitality into China's tourism industry and driving the growth of related sectors.

According to data released by the National Immigration Administration, the number of foreign visitors to China in the first quarter of this year has more than tripled compared to the same period in 2023, with tourism and sightseeing accounting for over 30%. Particularly during the recent Dragon Boat Festival holiday, inbound tourism orders surged by 115% on tourism platforms, continuing the trend of strong growth since the beginning of the year.

This transformation is attributed to China's open strategy towards the international tourism market, especially its unilateral visa-free policies with multiple countries. Since December 1, 2023, China has implemented unilateral visa-free policies for citizens of Germany, France, Italy, and other countries, significantly enhancing the convenience for foreign tourists visiting China. Additionally, China continues to optimize payment services and other measures to further improve the tourism experience for foreign visitors.

Recently published by the World Economic Forum, the "2024 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report" ranks China eighth globally in promoting tourism development, the only developing economy in the top ten. Hong Kong's "Sing Tao Daily" website reported that China has made it to the list of the "Top Ten Best Tourism Countries" globally. The article also lists popular tourist attractions in China, including the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Great Wall, the Bund and Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai, Shanghai Disneyland, and Jiuzhaigou Valley in Sichuan. China's growing inbound tourism underscores its strong appeal and development potential in the global tourism market, injecting continuous positive energy into the world tourism recovery.

Various innovative ways of exploring China have emerged with the rise of inbound tourism. Compared to traditional sightseeing tours, more foreign tourists are opting for customized deep travel experiences, enjoying a slower pace to immerse themselves in local lifestyles.

At Sanqing Mountain in Jiangxi Province, a tour group from Europe and America not only admired the majestic mountains and seas of clouds but also delved into the local She ethnic culture, witnessing performances of She ethnic dances, which showcased unique ethnic charm. In addition, off-the-beaten-path rural villages and private restaurants with distinctive characteristics have become new choices for foreign tourists. Besides cultural experiences, culinary tours are also an important part of foreign tourists' travels in China. In Yangshuo, Guangxi, Sarah from Germany experienced the intangible cultural heritage of "Yao people's oil tea-making skills" and tasted authentic ethnic cuisine, enriching her journey through China.

The continuous growth of inbound tourism has not only brought substantial profits to China's tourism industry but also stimulated the vigorous development of related industries. Firstly, the transportation industry has benefited as major airlines increase investments and open more international flights, providing convenience for foreign tourists visiting China. Secondly, the hotel industry has also seized new development opportunities. To meet the accommodation needs of foreign tourists, major hotels have enhanced service quality, introduced specialty room types, and customized services to attract more foreign guests.

Moreover, the catering and retail industries have also benefited from the rise in inbound tourism. Around major tourist attractions, various specialty restaurants and souvenir shops have sprung up like mushrooms, offering foreign tourists a rich selection of shopping and dining options.

It is worth mentioning that a large number of travel videos about China have also gone viral on overseas social media platforms. Foreign bloggers have shattered the "filter" of Western media about China with their firsthand experiences and observations, sparking curiosity and exploration among more foreign netizens.

Civilizations thrive through diversity and exchange, leading to mutual learning and development. With the implementation of a series of policies and the optimization of tourism services, it is expected to attract more international friends to visit China for sightseeing, allowing them to experience the authentic charm of China firsthand.

(Compiled from CCTV News, Xinhua News Agency, Guangming Daily, and Hainan Online)