China relaxes international travel restrictions to accommodate increasing demand for outbound tourism – Xinhua

China’s Outbound Tourism Revival Boosts Global Travel Industry

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) — The resurgence of China’s outbound tourism is not only a boon for the country’s travelers but also a significant boost to the global travel industry. With the easing of travel restrictions and the resumption of international flights, Chinese tourists are once again exploring the world, bringing economic benefits to various countries.

In early April, Xiao Ying and her husband embarked on a flight from Beijing to Geneva, marking the beginning of their honeymoon in Switzerland. The resumption of flights between China and Switzerland, which had been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, has opened up more travel options for Chinese tourists like Xiao.

According to data from Switzerland Tourism, Chinese mainland tourists spent a total of 153,723 nights in Switzerland in the first quarter of 2024, a 92.2 percent increase from the same period last year. This spike in Chinese tourist arrivals can be attributed to the resumption of flights between the two countries and the simplified visa procedures for Chinese travelers.

China has been actively increasing flight capacity and expanding favorable visa policies for its citizens to meet the growing demand for outbound travel. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) reported that scheduled international passenger flights have resumed to approximately 73 percent of their pre-pandemic levels.

Furthermore, China has implemented visa-free policies for a number of countries to facilitate easier travel for its citizens. This has led to a significant increase in Chinese tourist arrivals in countries like Malaysia, where 168,000 Chinese tourists visited within one month following the enforcement of a visa-free entry policy.

The revival of China’s outbound tourism is not only benefiting the global travel industry but also enhancing people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between countries. As China continues to strengthen its travel policies and services, the country is expected to remain a key player in the international tourism market.