Over 2,000 foreign tourists disembarked from three passenger liners which arrived in China's northern port city of Tianjin on Thursday morning, the first day of the May Day holiday.
This marks the largest influx of overseas visitors for the Tianjin International Cruise Home Port over the past few years, and indicates the international markets' growing confidence in China and an increasing affinity for the country among foreign travelers.
The simultaneous docking of three major cruise ships -- Dream, Regatta, and Ovation of the Seas, brought passengers from Kenya and other African countries, and Europe, Southeast Asia, with many commending the efficient, thoughtful service provided upon their arrival.
"We are from Kenya. We feel good, and at least the immigration process is very, very easy. There is a lot of efficiency and we are happy," said a tourist.
"This is my second time in China. it's good, it's everybody's friendly, it's nice. We come here for holiday, we are getting relaxed. When we get out off the boat it (the entry process) was about five minutes, very quick," said another tourist.
The surge in cruise tours follows China's adoption of a 240-hour visa-free transit policy issued last year, along with other facilitation measures such as expanded unilateral visa exemption for passport holders from 38 countries including France, Italy and Spain.
Compared with barely 30 cruise tourists to Tianjin during the May Day holiday period in 2024, the more than 2,000 arrivals this time reflect China's efforts to revitalize its tourism sector, and the country's deepening and extensive influence.
"See a few tourist attractions. We will just do whatever we can basically. Others we will come again because now also what I like is that we don't need visa anymore to enter China so for sure we will visit China again," said another tourist.
Tianjin receives 2,000 inbound cruise tourists on May Day
Some Iranians in Türkiye are crossing back over the border, driven by worry and desperation, as a nationwide communications blackout in Iran has left them cut off from their loved ones.
Protests have erupted in many Iranian cities since Dec. 28. They initially began with Tehran bazaar merchants demonstrating against the sharp devaluation of the national currency rial, and soaring inflation, before spreading to other cities. The unrest has led to casualties among both security forces and civilians.
At the Turkish-Iranian border, many are returning with no certainty about what awaits them, filled instead with questions and growing fear for those on the other side of the border.
"I went to Van yesterday for internet. I urgently needed to use the internet. I got it done. Now I'm heading straight back. There are protests everywhere. We can't get any news. We can't communicate with our families. And it's not just me, there are many Iranians outside the country who can't reach their families," said Feriste, an Iranian citizen.
With communications blacked out across Iran, those outside the country feel powerless to check on the situation back home. For some, this silence has prompted them to return across the border, even as tensions continue to rise.
"We can't get any news. There is no internet. Everything is shut down. I want to search. I want to find out. I want to see my brother. I'm going to see my family," said Husnu, an Iranian citizen.
"I work in Türkiye, and I have no news from Iran at all. I'm going back because I'm worried about my family. It's been days since I last heard from them, and because I'm worried, I'm returning to Iran now. Of course, we are concerned about our safety. We don't know what awaits us there," said another Iranian.
With protests escalating and government blackouts still in place, many Iranians are caught between staying in safety abroad and risking everything to reconnect with their families.
"We had to come to Türkiye because we couldn't reach our families. Schools were closed already. All official institutions were shut down. We have no information about other cities either, because there is no communication network there. There is no television, no internet. We can't even check Twitter," said Nazlican, another Iranian citizen.
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
