Travel-sector exhibitors at the ongoing 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) have said China's expansion of visa-free policies have effectively boosted their business.
Just two days before the opening of this year's CIIE, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that China will extend its unilateral visa-exemption arrangements for more than 40 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, to Dec. 31, 2026.
China has also decided to include Sweden in the visa-free scheme, effective from Nov. 10, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2026.
"We've seen a significant number of inbound travelers since the visa-free policies. For example, in 2025 from January to September, at Cathay, our inbound passenger number to Chinese mainland increased by 51 percent compared to the same period last year. In recent years, we've definitely seen an upward trend in our premier cabin bookings. Sustainability is another key trend, that more and more travelers are paying more attention to eco-friendly transport," said Carol Sun, Cathay Pacific's regional general manager for the Chinese mainland, at the ongoing CIIE.
Daniel Aylmer, Chief Executive Officer of IHG Greater China, said China's visa-exemption arrangements have helped boost IHG Hotels and Resorts' business in the country.
"I would say definitely, it has affected yes, in a positive way. To see a lot more inbound travelers coming into China is what our industry really needs. It is about experience, it's a bit about memories, it's a bit about connections, and sometimes re-connections, re-connections with friends, re-connections with families, and our industry plays such an important part of that," said Aylmer.
In the third quarter of this year, foreign nationals made more than 7.2 million visits to China under its visa-free travel policies -- a 48.3 percent year-on-year increase and accounting for 72.2 percent of all entries made by foreign nationals, according to statistics from the National Immigration Administration.
On Dec. 1, 2023, China began implementing trials of unilateral visa-free entry policies for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. These policies were later expanded to more countries and extended in duration on several occasions.
As companies increasingly find that the travelers' needs are becoming more personalized, more diversified, and harder to fulfill, many are turning to the vast Chinese market for new opportunities and chances to innovate and grow.
With China continuing to open up in the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), it is expected that tourism will expand not only in numbers but also in quality and diversity.
Global tour companies eye opportunities brought by China's visa-free policy
