China's recent decision to extend its visa-free policy to Croatia and eight other nations is expected to boost inbound tourism, with the simplified travel process making China a more accessible and attractive destination.
China announced last week that ordinary passport holders from nine more countries -- Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan -- will enjoy visa-free entry on a one-year trial basis starting Nov. 30. This brings the total number of countries eligible for visa-free access to China to 38.
Under this arrangement, visitors can stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, exchanges and transit.
Zagreb, one of Croatia's top tourist destinations, typically attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors during the summer months. However, the rainy season often leads to a slowdown for local tourist agencies.
The tides are about to turn. Anticipating a spike in bookings for tours to China following the introduction of visa-free travel for Croatian citizens, agencies in the city are buzzing with activity as Croatians seek out captivating and exotic destinations at competitive rates.
"It would be much easier for our customers just to go without a China visa. So, we do expect a lot of China, new destinations, and more cities to visit from Croatia. And also, there will be a part of the people that want to visit China and expand their businesses," said Gabrijela Koščica, CEO of Idea Travel.
Business professionals also welcome this development, as it promises smoother personal interactions crucial for sealing business deals. However, analysts caution that the landscape for business travel may not be as straightforward as in the tourism sector.
"Unused opportunities for economic cooperation between the two countries are actually very big. The policies of the current government, however, are subordinated to the goals imposed by Washington and Brussels, and they perceive China as a competitor. So, for private companies this will be a great opportunity, while for state-owned companies it would depend upon the state policy," said journalist Boris Rašeta.
The visa-free travel program is scheduled to run until the end of 2025, offering ample time for stakeholders to evaluate its advantages, which extend beyond tourism and potentially herald new avenues of cooperation.
China's visa-free policy for Croatia poised to boost tourism, business ties
China's visa-free policy for Croatia poised to boost tourism, business ties
