Puntos Clave
• En 2024, China recibió 26.94 millones de visitantes extranjeros, casi el doble que en 2023.
• El 75% de los visitantes extranjeros entraron sin visa, tras exenciones implementadas en 2024.
• El turismo internacional generó US$94.2 mil millones, un incremento del 77.8% respecto al año anterior.
China 🇨🇳 has shown a sharp increase in the números de viajeros extranjeros thanks to changes in its visa policies and better tax refund programs. These actions came after the global pandemic caused fewer people to visit for business and tourism. Now, the country is working hard to welcome more visitors from abroad and to regain the strong position it once had in global tourism. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes are making a real difference in how many people come to China 🇨🇳 each year.
Visa Waivers Are Boosting Visitor Numbers
One of the biggest reasons behind the rising números de viajeros extranjeros is China’s visa waiver plans. In simple words, a visa waiver means some people can come to China 🇨🇳 without getting a visa first. Right now, citizens from 38 countries can visit China 🇨🇳 without a visa, making trips much easier and cheaper for millions. Also, China 🇨🇳 lets travelers from 54 other countries stay in the country for up to 240 hours—about 10 days—without getting a visa. This is called the visa-free transit policy.
The result? The numbers tell the story:
– In just the first three months of 2025, immigration officers in China 🇨🇳 worked with 163 million passenger trips. That’s 15.3% more than the same time last year.
– More than 26.94 million foreign visitors came to China 🇨🇳 in 2024, almost double the number from 2023—a 95.5% increase in just one year.
– These foreign visitors spent $94.2 billion in 2024. That is a rise of 77.8% from the year before.
– Out of all these visitors, 20.12 million entered China 🇨🇳 without needing a visa. That’s almost 75% of the total, and it represents a jump of 112.3% over 2023 figures.
These numbers highlight how powerful exenciones de visa can be for a country. Instead of making travel complicated and slow, these new rules encourage people to visit. Holiday times make the change even more clear: during the 2025 Spring Festival, China 🇨🇳 saw a 22.9% rise in foreign visitors compared to the same festival the year before.
Making Shopping Easier With Tax Refunds
Besides exenciones de visa, China 🇨🇳 has taken more steps to attract visitors. In the past, only a few stores offered tax refunds to foreign travelers. Now, the country has made tax refund programs available at many more stores and shopping centers across different cities. Visitors can shop and then claim their money back on certain taxes when they leave the country. This simple change makes a trip to China 🇨🇳 even more attractive for tourists who want to do some shopping.
With tax refunds now easier to get, more tourists are choosing to spend their money in China 🇨🇳. This also means more growth for local shops and brands. Making the refund process simple and quick helps visitors feel welcomed and encourages them to spend more during their stay.
Strong Regional Effects: South Korea and China
These visa-free travel rules have led to interesting changes in where tourists come from. South Korea 🇰🇷, for example, has quickly become one of the largest groups of visitors to places like Shanghai. Reports have shown that in some local shops—like Korean barbecue restaurants and bakeries—most of the foreign customers come from South Korea 🇰🇷.
After November 2024, when China 🇨🇳 decided to allow South Korean passport holders to visit without a visa, the change was almost immediate. Ticket sales between China 🇨🇳 and South Korea 🇰🇷 jumped by over 60% in December 2024 compared to the monthly average from the previous 10 months. Some flights from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Busan had as many as 80% of travelers coming from South Korea 🇰🇷. This shows how quickly exenciones de visa can shape new travel patterns for both countries.
Airlines Gain From The Travel Boom
With more foreign visitors coming in, the aviation industry has seen clear benefits. Chinese airlines now have more international passengers than before, allowing them to add new flight routes and make better use of their airplanes.
For instance,
– Large Chinese airlines like Air China have started new flights between Chinese cities and international locations like Milan, Riyadh, Havana, London Gatwick, and Dhaka.
– Thanks to the 144-hour visa-free policy, the first seven months of 2024 saw a big increase—foreign travelers to China 🇨🇳 went up by 403% compared to the same period in 2023.
Opening more direct flights to and from China 🇨🇳 helps both travelers and airlines. Passengers have more choices and often pay lower prices, while airlines get more business and support local jobs.
How the Tourism Industry is Growing Rapidly
These recent changes have given China 🇨🇳 a positive outlook for its tourism sector. Experts expect the industry to reach a value of $2.61 trillion by 2025. Tourism is set to make up 11.4% of the country’s total income (GDP) in 2025, a big contribution.
But it’s not just people coming into China 🇨🇳 that matter. Outbound tourism—meaning Chinese citizens traveling outside the country—is also growing. Predictions say more than 155 million Chinese tourists will travel abroad in 2025, going beyond the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
When it comes to spending, the return of more foreign tourists is expected to bring in over 100 billion yuan (about $14 billion) in extra money, helping the economy and many local businesses.
The Bigger Picture: Still Growing, Not Quite There Yet
Even with all these positive numbers, China 🇨🇳 has not yet fully returned to the travel levels from before the pandemic. For instance, the number of foreign visitors in 2024 reached about 85% of the amount seen in 2019, and revenue from those visitors made up about 91% of 2019 numbers. This means there is still room for more people to visit and for the country to make more money from tourism. However, the speed at which tourism is growing suggests China 🇨🇳 will continue to see gains through 2025.
Why Do People Respond to Exenciones de Visa?
It may seem simple, but the reason exenciones de visa work so well is because they remove obstacles that stop people from traveling. Many potential travelers find visa applications complicated, expensive, or slow. By removing this barrier, China 🇨🇳 has made itself open and friendly to millions of tourists, business people, and those visiting family and friends.
People respond well to simple travel requirements. When visiting a country means less paperwork, less cost, and less waiting, they are more likely to book a trip. Exenciones de visa do exactly that, whether you’re a tourist, a business traveler, or someone attending a cultural event.
China’s Strength as a Tourist Destination
China 🇨🇳 offers visitors a wide range of experiences—from famous cities like Beijing and Shanghai, to historic sites like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors, and beautiful natural areas such as Zhangjiajie and Jiuzhaigou. Thanks to the new visa rules and better tax refund programs, all these places are now within easier reach for millions of tourists. Big cities benefit from more flights and more spending in hotels, restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions.
At the same time, smaller regions and less-known destinations also see the benefits. When it is easier for people to visit, they are more willing to explore places outside the main tourist hotspots. This spreads the economic benefits more widely and helps different parts of China 🇨🇳 grow.
The Role of Tax Refunds in Attracting Shoppers
Shopping is usually a major activity for international tourists. With the expansion of the departure tax refund scheme, China 🇨🇳 has made itself even more appealing for those who want to shop for clothes, electronics, and unique local goods.
Now, tourists can get some of their money back on goods bought during their stay. This is important because receiving a tax refund at more places makes the whole process faster and less confusing. Shoppers don’t worry about complicated steps or long waits. Instead, they can buy what they like and know they’ll save money.
In turn, local brands and malls try hard to attract these international shoppers. Sales events, special promotions, and information in other languages have become more common, all to make sure foreign visitors have a good time and spend more.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect Next
With more exenciones de visa and easier tax refunds, the future looks bright for China’s 🇨🇳 tourism industry. As more countries negotiate similar agreements with China 🇨🇳, expect even higher numbers of visitors from places in Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Airlines and the travel industry will continue to add new routes, provide better services, and look for ways to attract tourists who are willing to spend both time and money exploring China 🇨🇳.
However, there are still some challenges to watch. The global economic situation, changes in health regulations, and shifting diplomatic relations could affect travel patterns. Still, with a clear effort to make travel easier, China 🇨🇳 is in a strong position to keep building its tourism sector.
Who Benefits from These Changes?
There are many groups that benefit from the new visa and tax refund policies:
– Tourists: They save time and money and have more reasons to choose China 🇨🇳 for their next vacation.
– Airlines: Increased passenger numbers support business growth and allow for more flight options.
– Local Businesses: Hotels, restaurants, guides, and shops all see more customers and more sales.
– Government: More visitors and higher spending help the economy and boost employment.
– The People: Trade and cultural exchange become easier, letting more people understand and enjoy life in another country.
Quick Facts and Tips for Foreign Travelers
If you’re planning a trip to China 🇨🇳 soon, keep these points in mind:
– Check which countries China 🇨🇳 offers visa-free entry. Citizens from 38 countries can enjoy this benefit.
– If you belong to one of the 54 countries with the visa-free transit policy, you could see China 🇨🇳 for up to 10 days without getting a visa.
– Take advantage of the wider tax refund programs. Shop at approved stores and save your receipts.
– For up-to-date travel information and visa requirements, visit China’s National Immigration Administration, which offers official information in multiple languages.
Final Thoughts
China 🇨🇳 has made big changes to welcome back the world. By approving exenciones de visa, making it simpler to get tax refunds, and supporting growth in tourism and travel, the country is set to break new records in visitor numbers. Although 2024 results are not yet at the same level as before the pandemic, the growth rate and new policies show that 2025 could see even more impressive results.
Travelers, business people, and families all stand to gain as China 🇨🇳 opens its doors wider, inviting people to discover its cities, culture, food, and sights. With easy entry rules, strong airline networks, and more places to shop tax-free, China 🇨🇳 is once again becoming a top destination for the world’s tourists.
For the latest updates on visa rules and travel opportunities, you can always count on trusted sources like VisaVerge.com to guide you through the details. In the months ahead, the numbers of foreign travelers and the benefits for all involved are expected to keep rising, keeping China 🇨🇳 firmly in the spotlight of global tourism.
Aprende Hoy
Exenciones de visa → Permiten a ciudadanos de ciertos países ingresar a China sin necesidad de tramitar una visa, simplificando el viaje.
Política de tránsito sin visa → Permite permanecer hasta 240 horas en China sin visa si se está en tránsito hacia un tercer país.
Programa de devolución de impuestos → Sistema que reembolsa impuestos pagados por compras a extranjeros al salir del país.
Turismo receptivo → Visitantes extranjeros que ingresan a China con fines turísticos, de negocios o tránsito.
Ingresos por turismo → Dinero generado por el gasto de visitantes internacionales en hospedaje, alimentación, compras y actividades turísticas.
Este Artículo en Resumen
Las exenciones de visa y programas de devolución de impuestos en China han disparado el turismo internacional. En 2024, 26.94 millones visitaron el país, el 75% sin visa. El gasto turístico creció notablemente, favoreciendo a aerolíneas y negocios locales. China demuestra que facilitar la entrada acelera la recuperación económica tras la pandemia.
— Por VisaVerge.com
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