After a long slumber, the sleeping giant of international tourism has finally fully awoken. And like a grizzly that’s come out of hibernation (because pandas don’t hibernate!), it is hungry … for visitors.
China removed the last of its incoming pandemic-related travel restrictions yesterday, fully reopening the door for travel into the country for the first time in three years.
In January, the Chinese Government relaxed laws around Covid-19, allowing those with mild or no symptoms to quarantine at home. Testing rules were also relaxed, leaving the door to tourism ajar.
Now, China will issue virtually all categories of visas, meaning anyone with a valid visa can travel to the East Asian nation.
According to Reuters, the Foreign Ministry said areas that previously did not require visas, like the popular tourism island Hainan, will also return to visa-free entry.
Tour operators react
Wendy Wu, founder of Australian group touring specialist Wendy Wu Tours, says the news is “clearly a major milestone for tourism, and undoubtedly one of the most eagerly anticipated reopenings for Asian tourism following the pandemic”.
As it readies to resume group tours to the country, Wendy Wu says demand for China-bound travel is at an all-time high, with a backlog of tour departures from over three years.
This month (March 2023), travel enquiries at Wendy Wu have grown 135 per cent over January and February, with 75 per cent of these relating to travel to China.
“Touring in China is going to be a whole new experience,” Wu remarks.
“The country has had three years without tourism to rejuvenate and refresh and so as we begin preparations to return with Australian tourists, China is eagerly looking forward to welcoming visitors again, with a touring experience that promises to be as fresh and captivating as one resembling 20 years ago.”
Cautious optimism
MW Tours managing director Navy Wang told Karryon he was “quietly optimistic Australians’ passion for travel to China will grow quickly”.
“With the growth of airline capacity over the next few months, this will give travellers the opportunity to experience the many wonders that China offers through our wild range of products,” Wang said.
“The Team is excited by the prospect of welcoming passengers back to China!”
Small group tour specialist Intrepid Travel says it will conduct a full review of its operations before recommencing China trips, which it hopes will resume in June 2023. The company currently offers 14 China itineraries ranging from seven to 40 days.
“Now that it is permitted, I predict that travellers will rapidly begin returning to our beautiful country and China tourism will soar once again,” Intrepid Travel general manager in China Maggie Tian says.
“With a plethora of natural and cultural diversity, I truly believe there is no travel destination quite like ours.
“We cannot wait to welcome back the rest of the world and support our local communities that have been patiently waiting for this day to come.”
Beyond China
The announcement also has massive implications for global travel, especially around air fares, which could fall on the back of a likely boost in flight capacity to China and confidence around travel more broadly.
Since China relaxed border restrictions in January, airlines have been reinstating services to the country, which is home to the world’s biggest aviation market.
Last month, Sydney and Melbourne airports were already welcoming a raft of Australia-China flights. Expect that to grow even more in the coming months after this week’s announcement.
