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Aug 17, 2023 | 3:08 am

#33

uanj

Join Date: Jan 2005

Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL

Posts: 3,831

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.y

I think the poor perception of China is the number 1 issue, not visa. If you look at HK and Japan, both don't require Visas for most developed country visitors. HK tourism has rebounded to only 40% of pre-pandemic levels while Japan numbers has rebounded to 70% of 2019 numbers despite lack of Chinese group tourists (only recently restarted).

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...bour-shortages
https://www.tourism.jp/en/tourism-da...o%20May%202019.

I think interest in traveling to China for pure tourism (not business or visiting family) was declining before the pandemic. COVID and other recent events have accelerated the trend. From a PR perspective, nothing China projects today indicates it is a country that welcomes foreign visitors while other countries are actively marketing to overseas tourists.

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