China - October 23, 2024

Elderly foreign travelers boost China's tourism sector

(Voice_over)

Retirees and people over the age of 60 have been amongst the largest group of inbound travelers to China this year, thanks in part to relaxed visa policies and more travel options and services.

Since December of last year, China has been offering citizens from certain countries the option to travel visa-free. There are now 54 countries on that list, and it’s still growing.

Together with more frequent flights, the measures are making it easier than ever for travelers to vacation in China.

(Sound_bite)

Fabrizio, Italian tourist：

"Traveling to China is nowadays quite simple. There are a lot of flights coming from Europe. China is one of the countries with the largest number of UNESCO heritage places in the world. So, we are very happy about visiting this country."

(Voice_over)

Another draw for foreign tourists is updated and expanded payment options, with many scenic spots now accepting a wider range of overseas networks.

For tourists like Wilco from the Netherlands, a recent trip to China has fulfilled a wish on his bucket list.

(Sound_bite)

Wilco Poppeliers, Dutch tourist:

"I think it was very [much] on my bucket list still to visit China. Now I'm retired, I have the time to travel to visit places like this."

(Voice_over)

According to the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in the first seven months of the year, about six million foreign travelers visited the country, marking a more than 400-percent increase year on year.

[Restriction: No access Chinese mainland]