China will soon allow visa-free entry for foreign tour groups arriving via cruise ship.
The National Immigration Administration said tour group cruise guests will be able to enter visa-free and stay for up to 15 days.
This is another move to help recover China’s lagging inbound tourism sector.
The visa-free cruise ship guests will be able to come ashore and visit coastal regions as well as Beijing.
“The visa-free entry policy will provide support for the development of the cruise industry,” said senior immigration official Mao Xu.
“It will help attract more foreign tourists to China and provide more convenient channels for people-to-people exchanges.”
The policy has been welcomed by the Hong Kong government which is a major regional cruise hub.
“This new policy will incentivize international cruise lines to develop more itineraries involving mainland ports and Hong Kong,” a HKSAR Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau spokesperson said.
