China is now allowing foreign tour groups arriving on cruise ships to enter the country without a visa. This new policy, effective from May 15, lets tourists stay in China for up to 15 days without needing a visa. The goal is to attract more international visitors and boost China's tourism sector.
Designated Ports
Tour groups can enter China at 13 designated ports. Some of these ports include Shanghai, Dalin, Qingdao, and Haikou. These groups, managed by local travel agencies, will get the chance to explore coastal provinces and the capital city, Beijing, during their stay.
Boosting the Cruise Industry
Mao Xu, a senior official with the immigration administration, said that this policy will help grow the cruise industry and attract more international tourists. It also aims to enhance cultural exchanges between China and other countries.
Current Cruise Visits
China currently receives around 21 international cruise ships that visit its ports. These ships travel to places like Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea. In 2023, there were 107,000 passenger trips recorded via cruise ships in China, according to Zhu Zhenyu, a senior official with the Ministry of Transport.
Recent Measures to Attract Tourists
Since late last year, China has implemented several measures to attract more international visitors. This includes visa-free entry for travellers from certain European and Asian countries. In January, China also launched its first domestically produced cruise ship, offering local tourists more travel options abroad.
Challenges in Attracting Tourists
Despite these efforts, China faces challenges in attracting overseas visitors due to economic issues and low travel demand. For example, Qantas Airways, an Australian airline, recently stopped flights between Sydney and Shanghai because of low travel demand. Instead, the airline is focusing on destinations like Singapore and Bengaluru, India. Travel interest has not bounced back as strongly as expected since the Covid-19 pandemic.
