The 144-hour visa-free transit policy has ignited a rally of foreigners traveling to Guangdong for tourism and business, with local tourism sectors striving to leverage the influx of visitors and explore new avenues for growth.
The policy was implemented in the province in May, 2019, and has been expanded to five exit-entry ports so far. Through the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, one of the eligible ports, more than 5,000 international visitors from about 40 countries benefited from the policy and entered Guangdong province in the first half of the year, according to local immigration authorities on Thursday.
“The number has significantly increased by 60 percent from the same period in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Zhou Yingqiang, director of the Guangzhou General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.
In addition, other eligible entry-ports include Nansha Port in Guangzhou, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Shekou Port in Shenzhen and Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport in the east of Guangdong.
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European Chamber South China Board Member and HR Forum Vice-chair Blandine Cressard said at a promotional conference on foreigners’ business and travel activities in Guangdong that the 144-hour visa-free policy shows signs of having “a positive impact” on European businesspeople.
“This policy allows short-term business visits without a visa, making it easier for European professionals to enter China for meetings, negotiations, and networking events,” she noted.
She points out that small and medium enterprises in the EU, which often operate with limited resources and need to maximize their time and efforts during business trips, can leverage the policy to “efficiently conduct market research, engage with potential partners, and attend industry-specific events without the administrative burden of securing a visa”.
“China travel” has gone viral on global social media platforms since the expansion of the visa-free policy as internet influencers keep updating vlogs of their trips in China. Shenzhen in Guangdong is one of the most popular cities.
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The Hutchinsons, a family of Youtube bloggers, experienced drone delivery in a park in Shenzhen, while another Youtube content creator, TriFate Lifestyle, said Shenzhen is “the most futuristic city” during his first visit.
In the first six months of 2024, the number of inbound and outbound travelers passing through Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport exceeded 2.51 million in total, marking a substantial 177 percent surge compared to the same period last year.
To cater to the needs of foreign visitors, tourism service providers introduced a series of new routes and products in Guangdong.
Guangzhou-based GZL International Travel Service unveiled on Thursday an array of four- to six-day itineraries tailored for international visitors. The routes cover leisure activities, culinary exploration, historical and cultural exhibitions, and commercial and business tours.
Earlier this month, the firm opened a special transfer counter at Guangzhou airport for visa-free travel and has been offering free six-hour city tours for passengers who hold foreign passports and make international transfers in Guangzhou.
Contact the writer at grace@chinadailyhk.com
