The Chinese government celebrated the surge in domestic travel and tourism during the Labor Day holiday season in China, indicating a positive sign of economic recovery. However, foreign tourism remained significantly lower, suggesting that China still has a long way to go before fully recovering from the impacts of the pandemic and its lockdowns.
According to figures from the Transport Ministry, domestic tourists made 295 million trips during the holiday season, reflecting a 28% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Despite the increase in domestic travel, foreign tourism numbers remained low, with only 35 million foreign visitors last year compared to 98 million before the pandemic.
One of the reasons for the low foreign tourism numbers is attributed to concerns about China’s authoritarian government and restrictive laws, such as the National Security Law imposed on Hong Kong. Additionally, the use of high-tech surveillance and payment systems in China, which may not be familiar or accessible to foreign visitors, also poses a challenge for attracting international tourists.
Efforts to boost foreign tourism through visa-free travel policies and expanding payment options have been made, but these measures have not been sufficient to overcome the barriers faced by foreign visitors. Payment issues, visa requirements, and concerns about surveillance and security continue to deter foreign tourists from visiting China.
In conclusion, while domestic tourism in China is showing signs of recovery, foreign tourism numbers remain low due to various factors. To attract more international visitors, China must address the challenges faced by foreign tourists and create a more welcoming and accessible environment for them.
