Foreign Tourism
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,325
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,325
Grounded irplanes don't generate any revenues, so they are flying to places where they are welcome (e.g. Europe and SE Asia).
#22
Original Poster




Join Date: Jan 2020
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I think another major issue is that China does very poorly when it comes to exporting its culture. Japan and Korea absolutely dominate the international cultural scene in pretty much every Asian countries I've lived in, and most people as a result want to visit there more than they want to visit China. That is unlikely to change any time soon given how censorship in China severely restricts the development of the cultural scene the country would need to compete.
Korea and Japan do a good job at this and I view Kpop as a form of soft power.
#23
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: YouTube: @FindingFoodFluency
Posts: 441
My colleague from the U.S. went through a visa agent last month. No fingerprints necessary.
#24
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: YouTube: @FindingFoodFluency
Posts: 441
Visa hassles has to be at the top of the list. Adjusted for GDP, I think the Chinese visa is probably the worst in the world for "how annoying is it to get" for a major country. US visas are more hassle by absolute value, but the all countries in China's peer group (and most higher HDI countries) have better visa policies.
A e-visa system that lets people who just want a 30-day single entry tourist visa skip the consulate visit would do wonders, for example. But there won't be any improvement while the trade/tech war is in progress.
A e-visa system that lets people who just want a 30-day single entry tourist visa skip the consulate visit would do wonders, for example. But there won't be any improvement while the trade/tech war is in progress.
#25
Original Poster




Join Date: Jan 2020
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I applied for a visa in April with no agent and didnt get fingerprinted
the application is also not that invasive compared to a US or Schengen visa (yes, many people need a visa to go to Schengen countries)
the application is also not that invasive compared to a US or Schengen visa (yes, many people need a visa to go to Schengen countries)
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,325
Agents that can bypass the consulate visit completely (I.e not just fingerprinting) are useful. Since you live near a consulate, the visit/appointment isn't a big deal for you, but many people don't have time to fly off to SF or NY for a few days just to get a visa they might use once or twice per year.
#27


Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,285
Several Chinese embassies have this month posted a notice that the fingerprinting requirement is being suspended till year-end for those applying for one- or two-entry visas.
Notice on the Latest Adjustments on Fingerprints Collection of Visa Application
Notice on the Latest Adjustments on Fingerprints Collection of Visa Application
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,248
The real reason is that China has gone out of its way over the last 5 years to position itself as a country few people want to visit.
2008 was peak China. People were coming here and raving about it. Everyone I told I live in China was impressed and talked about the awesome Olympics, incredible growing infrastructure and economic growth.
When I tell people now I live in China the most common response is Why? Or I hope you can get out of there soon.
Very few tourists want to visit China now.
2008 was peak China. People were coming here and raving about it. Everyone I told I live in China was impressed and talked about the awesome Olympics, incredible growing infrastructure and economic growth.
When I tell people now I live in China the most common response is Why? Or I hope you can get out of there soon.
Very few tourists want to visit China now.
#29


Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 75k, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,379
The real reason is that China has gone out of its way over the last 5 years to position itself as a country few people want to visit.
2008 was peak China. People were coming here and raving about it. Everyone I told I live in China was impressed and talked about the awesome Olympics, incredible growing infrastructure and economic growth.
When I tell people now I live in China the most common response is Why? Or I hope you can get out of there soon.
Very few tourists want to visit China now.
2008 was peak China. People were coming here and raving about it. Everyone I told I live in China was impressed and talked about the awesome Olympics, incredible growing infrastructure and economic growth.
When I tell people now I live in China the most common response is Why? Or I hope you can get out of there soon.
Very few tourists want to visit China now.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...bour-shortages
https://www.tourism.jp/en/tourism-da...o%20May%202019.


