News Summary
Beginning Friday, China will allow visa-free entry for citizens from nine additional countries, including Slovakia, South Korea, and others. This move aims to bolster tourism and aid economic recovery post-pandemic. Travelers can stay for up to 15 days, with the initiative lasting until December 2025. The stock market reacted positively, particularly for travel companies. China’s strategy seeks to restore tourism numbers and improve the visitor experience by accepting foreign credit cards at attractions. Notably, South Korea plans to reciprocate with its own visa-free entry for Chinese tourists.
China Expands Visa-Free Entry to Nine More Countries
Great news for travelers! Starting Friday, citizens from nine more countries can hop on a plane to China without the hassle of securing a visa. This is part of the country’s ongoing effort to boost tourism and support its economy as it recovers from the pandemic.
Countries on the List
The newly added countries to the visa-free entry program include Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and South Korea. If you hold an ordinary passport from any of these nations, you can stay in China for business or leisure for up to 15 days – how convenient is that?
Visa Exemption Period
This exciting visa exemption program is set to remain in effect until December 31, 2025. That gives travelers plenty of time to plan an adventure in China, whether it’s to explore the Great Wall, enjoy the incredible food, or dive into the rich history.
South Korea’s Importance
Among these countries, South Korea stands out as a significant source of tourists for China. In 2019, a whopping 4.3 million South Koreans visited China! However, in 2023, the number dropped sharply to less than 1.3 million visitors, as reported by Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It seems that the pandemic really took a toll on international travel.
The Market Response
With this fresh announcement about expanded visa-free travel, the stock market reacted positively. Shares of travel companies in both China and Korea saw a significant boost. For instance, Trip.com shares increased by more than 5%, while low-cost carrier Jin Air saw a rise of nearly 4%. It appears that confidence is returning to the travel sector!
Tourism Recovery Target
Launching this visa-free program is part of a wider strategy to spark inbound tourism in China, which is still on the road to recovery post-pandemic. Back in 2019, China rolled out the welcome mat to around 49.1 million travelers, but only about 17.25 million foreigners had arrived by July this year. The numbers are slowly climbing, as seen in the third quarter of 2024, where 8.2 million foreigners journeyed to China—a remarkable 49% increase from 2023, with approximately 4.9 million visitors taking advantage of the visa exemption program.
Improvements for Visitors
Chinese officials are not stopping at just allowing more visitors in; they are also addressing vital payment issues. To facilitate international guests better, major tourist attractions will now accept foreign credit cards and cash. This is a great step toward making travel seamless for everyone!
Flight Capacity Restoration
Additionally, the Chinese government is ramping up efforts to restore flight capacity to pre-pandemic levels. Airlines are adding more flights to Europe, which should help make travel smoother and more convenient for tourists.
South Korea Follows Suit
Interestingly, South Korea is not just sitting idle; they are set to offer visa-free entry to tourist groups from China starting September 29 through June 2026. This mutual initiative follows China’s visa exemption offer and aims to further stimulate the local economy while welcoming foreign visitors back.
The Bigger Picture
This visa-free entry initiative lines up nicely with the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit, which will take place in Gyeongju, South Korea from October 31 to November 1, 2025. It seems we’re on the cusp of a tourism revival that benefits both nations!
So, travelers, if you’re from one of the newly added countries, now’s the perfect time to start planning your Chinese adventure. Who knows what unforgettable experiences await?
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Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
