Adam Burke, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, recently led his team on another visit to China—his third since the pandemic ended. This trip included attending the World Tourism Alliance Annual Meeting in Sanya and the "2024 Xianghu Dialogue" as the Vice Chair of the World Tourism Alliance. While there, he also met with airline and tourism partners in key source markets, sharing the positive projection that Los Angeles expects to welcome 720,000 Chinese visitors this year, recovering to about 60% of 2019 levels and once again positioning China as the top overseas market for Los Angeles.
German National Tourist Board launches new strategy for China market
On November 8, the German National Tourist Board hosted a media event in Beijing to boost Germany’s brand influence and market recovery in China. Recent data from Germany’s Federal Statistical Office shows strong post-pandemic recovery, with Chinese visitors logging 1.19 million overnight stays in Germany from January to August 2024, reaching 62% of 2019 levels. Chinese spending in Germany also saw remarkable growth in 2023, up 275% year-on-year.
11 Tourism boards join Double 11 live stream on Fliggy
During this year’s Double 11 Global Travel Festival, tourism officials from 11 destinations—including Finland, Ontario (Canada), the UK, Fiji, Saudi Arabia, Los Angeles (US), New Zealand, South Korea, Malaysia, Queensland (Australia), and Thailand— joined Fliggy’s “Super VIP” live stream channel to promote their destinations and introduce exclusive deals for the Double 11 shopping event.
Tunisia sets target to welcome 50,000 Chinese visitors next year
As the outbound travel market continues to recover, Tunisia is gaining traction among Chinese tourists. On November 6, the Chief Representative of the Tunisian National Tourist Office, shared in an exclusive interview that the number of Chinese visitors had increased by 325.2% year-on-year as of the end of September. For 2025, the office aims to welcome 50,000 Chinese visitors. Tunisia plans to enhance its offerings of customized travel products, increase flight frequencies, and even launch direct flights to attract more Chinese tourists.
UnionPay cards issued overseas now support WeChat Pay and Alipay
On November 6, UnionPay International announced that UnionPay cards issued outside of China are now fully supported for Alipay binding. With support from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, WeChat Pay has also enabled this service. Now, foreign visitors to China can enjoy convenient QR code payments on Alipay and WeChat Pay by linking their locally issued UnionPay cards.
Greater China Visitors to Switzerland increase by 50% YoY January–August
From January to August 2024, overnight stays by Greater China visitors in Switzerland reached 768,051 nights, marking a 50.6% year-on-year increase. This growth places Greater China as the top market in the Asia-Pacific region and the sixth among overseas source markets for Switzerland. According to Chang, winter has been a primary theme in promoting Switzerland to the Chinese market, and with the momentum of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, more Chinese people are engaging in winter sports. For the 2023–2024 snow season, overnight stays by Greater China visitors have recovered to 76% of pre-pandemic levels. The board also highlighted Switzerland’s winter tourism offerings.
China and the Solomon Islands sign a visa-free agreement for ordinary passport holders
On November 7, China and the Solomon Islands signed a mutual visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders, with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare attended the ceremony. The agreement will come into effect after both countries complete their respective domestic legal procedures.
Southern China's first mobile fingerprint service for Hungary visas debuts in Nanning, Guangxi
Recently, in Nanning, Xianglong Travel introduced a mobile fingerprint service, enabling applicants to complete the required fingerprinting for a Hungarian visa locally, saving them time and travel costs associated with visiting visa centers in cities like Guangzhou.
16 Daigou group travelers caught with 635 duty-free items seized by customs
Sanya Airport Customs at Haikou Customs recently identified 17 travelers engaged in illegal daigou, or shopping for duty free goods while traveling for later resale. 16 of these travelers admitted to purchasing 635 duty-free items for resale.
Starting December 13, China Southern Airlines will launch several new direct routes to Australia from Beijing Daxing
The Beijing Daxing-Sydney round-trip route will officially commence on December 13, with flights scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
From January 8 next year, international routes from Chongqing to Sri Lanka and the Maldives will resume
Chongqing Airlines announced on November 8 that it will resume these routes on January 8, 2025.
Emirates plans to increase flights to China by 40%
An Emirates executive stated that due to "healthy" demand, Emirates plans a 40% increase in flights to China. Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim added that Airbus A380 aircraft will also be reintroduced on China routes.
Saudi Arabian Airlines opens Dammam-Beijing route
On November 7, Saudi Arabian Airlines announced its successful inaugural flight from Dammam King Fahd International Airport to Beijing. This new route will operate twice weekly with Boeing 787 aircraft, providing approximately 1,310 seats weekly on four flights between Saudi Arabia and Beijing. For flights to Guangzhou, a total of 1,966 seats are available on six flights per week.
Belarusian Airlines’ first China route opens on December 16
Belarusian Airlines will launch the Urumqi-Minsk route on December 16, its first route to China. Operated by Boeing 737 Max 8, the route will initially run once a week and is now available for booking with promotional fares starting at RMB 1,330 (excluding taxes).
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