Greece - December 06, 2024 Since mid-October, travel agencies in Greece have been busy booking trips to China. That's when China added Greece to the list of countries whose citizens can travel visa-free in China for up to 15 days. At a travel agency in Athens, Maria was amongst a delegation of travel agents invited to enjoy China's new visa-free policies first-hand. Interviews: Maria Kavadia, Marketing and PR Manager, Cosmorama Travel: "We had the possibility in October to be the first travelers from Greece to travel to China visa-free and it was an exciting experience for us because I've been many many times in China and this was the first time that I didn't have to wait [in] queues. Everything is very easy, like a domestic flight almost. Right now, with the direct flights, we have the visa-free, we can also have a weekly program, so we are working on that as well." The relaxed travel policies are noticeable at airports in China, also. A member of a Chinese airline that makes several flights to Greece says it's clear the new policy is influencing passenger numbers. Ji Hao, Staff member, Chinese airline: "Since the introduction of the visa-free policy with Greece on Oct 15, we've seen noticeable improvements. Our flight occupancy rate, which was 60 percent in September, increased to 85 percent in October and reached 90 percent or higher after the policy took effect on Oct 15." Greece joins a growing list of 38 countries whose citizens are now permitted visa-free travel in China with the most recent members including Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Latvia and Japan. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]