SHANGHAI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) — Shanghai recorded over 6.7 million inbound vacationer journeys in 2024, an 84 % enhance from the earlier 12 months, partly because of the nation’s loosening visa insurance policies, native tourism authorities stated Thursday.
Overnight stays in Shanghai exceeded 6 million final 12 months, a rise of over 80 % 12 months on 12 months, with worldwide vacationers greater than doubled to just about 4.8 million, in keeping with the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism.
The Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan topped the checklist by way of customer supply international locations, every accounting for over 400,000 vacationers to Shanghai. Meanwhile, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia had been the highest three supply international locations with the fastest-growing vacationer numbers, stated the administration.
In explicit, Shanghai recorded over 300,000 vacationer journeys from Thailand, marking a staggering year-on-year enhance of greater than 300 %.
The surge in inbound tourism is partly attributable to the continual optimization of visa-free insurance policies. To date, China has established complete mutual visa exemption agreements with 25 international locations, launched unilateral visa-free insurance policies for 38 international locations, and carried out transit visa-free preparations for 54 international locations.
Riding the wave of “China Travel,” which has gained large recognition since final 12 months, many scenic spots in Shanghai have gone viral on world social media platforms.
German vacationer Paul Liehr visited Shanghai’s Wukang Road throughout his Asian sightseeing excursions. “The visa-free policy made my trip in China more convenient,” he instructed Xinhua.
Shanghai will facilitate its tourism companies and promote its enchantment to draw extra inbound vacationers, in keeping with the administration.