China is the largest source market for global tourism, so many countries have loosened their visa requirements for Chinese tourists. Japan and South Korea have offered visa exemptions while France and Canada issue long-term visas for the Chinese.
Au Uyen Phuong of Vietnam-based travel firm Saigontourist said at a recent tourism promotion event that Vietnam used to allow in Chinese tourists in transit for 120 hours. Chinese tourists often take short tours, which last four to six days, to Vietnam and neighboring countries, and stay in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) for two nights, Phuong added.
La Quoc Khanh, director of the HCMC Department of Tourism, said the city lured 400,000 Chinese tourists last year, up 37.4% over 2015.
The tourism sector should regularly participate in travel fairs in China such as China International Travel Mart (CITM) and ITB China to build business links among travel firms and provide Chinese publications and websites for customers.
According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), China had the world’s largest number of outbound tourists last year with 135 million Chinese spending USD 261 billion on tourism products and services, increasing 6% and USD 11 billion against the previous year.
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