China sees foreign visitor numbers more than double after lifting visa rules for many travellers
- Restrictions on entering the country have been eased as part of a move to boost the its flagging tourist industry
In total 14.64 million foreigners visited the country in the first half of the year, up 152.7 per cent year on year, data from the National Immigration Administration showed.
The number of visa-free entries made by foreigners passed 8.5 million, accounting for 58 per cent of inbound trips and representing a year-on-year increase of 190 per cent, according to the administration.
But the number of foreign visitors is still short of reach pre-Covid levels, when 15.53 million foreign travellers visited in the first half of 2019.
With the country facing a slump in domestic tourism as a result of the flagging economy, China has gradually been increasing the number of countries whose citizens can visit for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits.
The new visa-free rules cover more than a dozen countries in Europe as well as Australia. A further 23 countries have mutual visa exemptions, including Thailand, which was added to the list this year. Singaporeans and Malaysians can visit for up to 30 days at a time.
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