March

06

Latest tourism figures show double-digit growth, but visas are still a problem

by silvia.spessato

categories China Market Rules & Law

tags Visa 

In the aftermath of the holiday for Chinese New Year, the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) announced that the rise in outbound tourism surpassed domestic tourism more, with 18% and 14% growth respectively. The trend was helped by the growing number of countries and regions that are introducing a procedure of granting visas on arrival for Chinese travelers; Beijing authorities recently announced that the number of countries that do so rose from 44 to 45. The name of the new region or country has not been disclosed. In the classification compiled by Henley & Partners, China ranks 82nd for the number of nations and territories that can be entered without a visa by Chinese citizens. These are mainly Southeast Asian countries and East African states. With a forecast of 150 million visitors going abroad by 2020, China is pushing to enlarge the total number of countries that allow relaxed visa policies for its citizens, remarked Huang Ping, general director for the Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in January. Looking at data for last year’s Spring Festival, CNTA stressed the great benefits that tourism businesses and Chinese travelers to Thailand enjoyed following the introduction of a visa-free policy for individuals. During the lunar New Year, China registered 231 million domestic trips and 4,7 million trips abroad. According to surveys by the China Tourism Academy (CTA), Hainan island and Guangdong were the most visited domestic destinations in the south, while the Heilongjiang winter sports area was the most visited in the northeast. Chinese outbound tourists, families in particular, chose Japan and South Korea as top destinations, while Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia are growing as emerging markets.

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Commented by Bill Frankish, 29.08.2017

We at the Candlewood Suites Calgary Airport North, closely located to the Calgary airport YYC, have been certified by the China Tourism Academy as having reached the JADE STANDARD of "Welcome Chinese" Certification. As such we greet each guest with a special Welcome envelope with Chinese information on our extended stay hotel. Guests receive slippers, tea, and have access to kettles and rice cookers at no charge. Some items are available in our little convenience store called The Cupboard, and there is a Chinese Super Market about 2 kilometers away which has a full selection of food items, commonly found in China, including live fish. Also at the same shopping area, an authentic Chinese Restaurant called The T. Pot , China Bistro From our location we have easy access to main highways to take you to Banff National Park, or the Royal Tyrrell Museum, an excellent Dinosaur museum. Candlewood Suites is an excellent location with cooking facilities which provides a great home base as you travel to various attractions in the area.