Commentary: Visa-free policies alone will not revive China’s inbound tourism

Visitors pose for a selfie at a public park overlooking the Forbidden City in Beijing, Jan 25, 2023. has faced significant challenges since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, China welcomed 97.7 million foreign visitors. But in 2023, this plummeted to 35.5 million, representing less than 40 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

But as China amassed substantial foreign exchange reserves through rapid development and entry into the World Trade Organization, the reliance on inbound tourism for foreign exchange earnings diminished over time. For instance, booking high-speed train tickets or entry tickets to popular tourist attractions necessitates the use of WeChat’s embedded program. Many establishments exclusively accept WeChat Pay or AliPay, leaving foreign tourists in a predicament if they rely solely on cash or credit cards. Many hotels in China are also not allowed to accommodate foreign tourists.

Yet, addressing structural and entrenched ideological barriers may be more challenging. The COVID-19 pandemic may have prompted the Chinese government and tourism operators in China to adopt a more inward-looking approach, prioritising the needs of their citizens. The Chinese government’s implementation of visa-free policies should be applauded - but to meaningfully revitalise its inbound tourism, concerted efforts are required to enhance convenience for foreign visitors before, during and after their travels to China.

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