China Welcomes Over 1.98 Million Visa-Free Visitors in Q1 – Surge in Tourist Arrivals Bolsters Travel and Business Exchanges

In the first quarter of 2024, China saw a remarkable influx of international visitors, welcoming over 1.98 million foreign nationals visa-free, according to the National Immigration Administration. This represents a 266.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Contributing to this surge are policies facilitating tourism and business exchanges, including the restoration of the 15-day visa-free entry for citizens of Singapore and Brunei and new visa-free policies for several European countries. As a result, 989,000 visitors from these nations entered China visa-free, highlighting the effectiveness of these initiatives.

With inbound tourist bookings up by 130% for the May Day holiday, as reported by Ctrip, China’s tourism sector is poised for continued growth. This increase in international arrivals is expected to positively impact various regions, including popular destinations such as Suzhou. For travellers, the wide array of hotels in Suzhou, Jiangsu, the likes of Pan Pacific Suzhou, offer excellent bases to explore the city’s rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty.