China welcomes foreign tourists for Spring Festival celebrations as the foreign ministry spokesperson commented on growing trend of China Travel.
China extends an open invitation to foreign tourists to partake in its Spring Festival celebrations and enjoy the unique charm of the Chinese New Year, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced on Tuesday.
Speaking at a routine press briefing, Guo commented on the growing trend of “China Travel.” Reports indicate that the State Council’s General Office has issued measures to stimulate growth in the culture and tourism sectors, including gradually introducing unilateral visa-free policies for more countries to enhance inbound travel.
China’s visa exemption policies have significantly boosted inbound tourism. Since the beginning of the year, “China Travel” has remained a popular trend, with many foreign visitors celebrating New Year’s Eve in the country. Travel agencies predict a 203 percent year-on-year increase in foreign tourist bookings for the Spring Festival compared to 2024.
Guo noted that as China expands its visa waiver program and enhances travel facilitation, the number of foreign tourist arrivals continues to grow. In 2024, inbound and outbound trips by foreign nationals reached 64.88 million, marking an 82.9 percent year-on-year increase, with 20.12 million entering visa-free—a 112.3 percent rise. During the recent New Year holiday, foreign arrivals rose by 34 percent year-on-year.
Highlighting the upcoming Lunar New Year of the Snake, the first since the festival was listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Guo expressed hope that foreign visitors would join the celebrations, enjoy Chinese hospitality, and welcome an auspicious Year of the Snake.
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