Jiangsu sees 120% surge in inbound tourism following visa-free policy

2024-04-02 15:08:00

Thanks to the visa-free policy and various support measures such as convenient payment solutions, Jiangsu has experienced a significant increase in inbound tourism during the first two months of the year.

Data shows that the coastal province recorded 220,000 foreign tourist trips, up 120% year-on-year, generating tourism revenue of $350 million.

German visitors at Zhonghua Gate in Nanjing on April 1. Photo/Yangtze Evening Post

Recently, Nanjing hosted a group of 31 German tourists. Their itinerary included a tour of the Qinhuai River, a visit to the Xiaoling Mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty, and sampling local cuisine. At the Zhonghua Gate, part of the ancient City Wall, they enjoyed a Yue Opera performance and experienced diabolo playing and paper-cutting, both recognized as intangible cultural heritage in China. This experience showcased the distinctive culture, history and hospitality of Nanjing.

Since last year, China has implemented a visa-free policy for many countries and supported the inbound tourism with various measures. In this context, Nanjing has witnessed an increase of foreign tourists, according to Li Jia from the office of international exchange and cooperation at the Nanjing Municipal Department of Culture and Tourism. Li also said these tourists are from traditional markets, such as Southeast Asia, South Korea, Europe, the United States and Australia, as well as South American countries.