The pilot resumption of outbound group tours has brought good news to the travel market. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced the second batch of travel agencies allowed to operate outbound group tours and “flight + hotel” packages. Now, with over 40 new destinations to choose from, Chinese citizens have a total of 60 countries available for their holiday plans.
New countries on the list:
The second batch of countries includes Nepal, Brunei, Vietnam, Mongolia, Iran, Jordan, Tanzania, Namibia, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Zambia, Senegal, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Serbia, Croatia, France, Greece, Spain, Iceland, Albania, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, Slovenia, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Panama, Dominica, El Salvador, Dominica, and Bahamas. This expansion has led to a sharp increase in tourist visa inquiries for related countries, with a more than four-fold increase in some cases.
Most popular destinations
Chinese tourists show the most interest in Vietnam, Italy, Serbia, France, and Spain. European countries have seen a rapid rise in attention. Travel platforms are expected to launch more outbound travel products in response to this increased interest.
The “May 1st” holiday is expected to see explosive growth in outbound tourism, as airlines increase the number of flights to popular destinations. The outbound tourism market is predicted to experience a significant upswing during the May holiday and summer vacation.
Visa requirements and processing times vary among the 60 pilot countries. While some countries offer visa facilitation for Chinese tourists, others support visas on arrival or e-visas. Industry experts recommend applying for a visa 15 days to a month in advance for Asian countries and 1-2 months in advance for European and American countries.
According to Ctrip data, since the announcement of the second batch of countries opening up, there has been a surge in search volume by more than 300% month-on-month in some countries. Page clicks related to outbound travel increased by 77% instantly, and inquiries about tourist visas to these countries have increased by over 400%.
Ease of Nucleic Acid Testing
Many countries have cancelled the requirement for nucleic acid testing for Chinese passengers entering their territories. Instead, antigen self-testing can be used when returning from multiple countries, making it more cost-effective and convenient for travellers.
The expansion of outbound travel destinations for Chinese citizens offers more opportunities for travellers to explore the world. The anticipated “May 1st” boom in outbound tourism, coupled with visa conveniences and changes to nucleic acid testing requirements, will contribute to a thriving travel industry.
This is the perfect opportunity to reach out to Chinese outbound travellers, contact us to find out more.
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