Spring Festival Flower Market and Chinese Tourists Make a Comeback
The annual Spring Festival flower market in San Francisco’s Chinatown is in full swing, with citizens and tourists enjoying traditional Chinese folk performances and purchasing holiday supplies. This festive market is just one of the many signs of the return of Chinese culture and tourism on a global scale.
The National Immigration Administration of China predicts a significant increase in inbound and outbound passenger flow during the Spring Festival holiday. The surge in Chinese tourists is causing major Asian tourist destinations to arrange vibrant special activities to welcome visitors, signaling a return to the global travel market.
Ms. Fan, an immigration services worker, notes a significant increase in customer orders and busier schedules during the Spring Festival. The China Outbound Tourism Development Report (2023-2024) projects that the scale of China’s outbound tourism market is expected to return to about 80% of pre-pandemic levels by 2024.
Data from multiple online travel platforms also shows a significant increase in outbound bookings and searches for overseas travel destinations. International routes have steadily recovered, and popular destinations for Chinese tourists are expanding to places like Northern Europe, Egypt, and Morocco.
The return of Chinese tourists has caught the attention of media in various countries. The Korea Times, The Straits Times, and Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports all highlight the resurgence of Chinese tourists visiting their countries.
Furthermore, China’s expanding visa-free agreements with various countries are adding to the surge in Chinese tourists. More than 60 countries and regions now offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival facilities to Chinese citizens, making international travel more accessible.
With Chinese tourists returning to the global tourism market, many countries are competing to attract these visitors. Thailand, Malaysia, and Switzerland have launched initiatives and strategies to welcome Chinese tourists and promote tourism.
The resurgence of Chinese tourists signifies a positive trend for the global tourism industry and reflects a return to normalcy in the post-pandemic world. As the world continues to navigate new challenges, the return of Chinese tourists brings hope for economic recovery and rejuvenation of the global travel market.