With numbers yet to bounce back after the pandemic, China has a new plan to boost inbound tourism.
It will allow visa-free travel for travelers from five European countries.
These are France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.
Malaysian nationals will also be granted visa-free travel to China.
Beginning from 1 December, they will be able to enter China for up to 15 days for visa-free travel.
It is currently a trial scheme which will last one year.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said it aims to “’facilitate the development of Chinese and foreign exchanges.”
The China inbound tourism rebound has been sluggish due to its late removal of Covid-era restrictions and international seat capacity still well below pre-pandemic levels.
In the first six months of 2023, China welcomed 8.4 million foreign tourist arrivals
