The August 2024 report on Asia’s cultural and tourism industry development released by eu.36kr.com detailed China’s record summer travel statistics and expanded visa policies.
China Achieves Record Summer Travel Numbers
China recorded 1.12 billion domestic trips and generated 1.55 trillion yuan in tourism revenue during its summer vacation period in 2024, according to official data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China. These figures represent a new high for the summer market in recent years.
Transport Figures Confirm High Travel Demand
The national railway system carried 954 million passengers, while civil aviation transported 151 million passengers throughout the summer travel season. These statistics underscore sustained high mobility for domestic travelers
during the peak vacation period.
Visa Policy Extensions Facilitate Cross-Border Tourism
China extended its visa facilitation policies effective August 20, 2024, by including Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam under the 240-hour transit visa-free entry and 30-day visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders visiting Hainan province. This expansion brought the total countries covered by the 240-hour transit visa-free policy to 57 and increased the number of countries eligible for Hainan’s visa-free entry to 61.
Inbound and Outbound Booking Volumes Soar
Outbound travel bookings surged during summer 2024, with popular destinations comprising Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. Inbound tourism bookings within China increased more than sixfold year-on-year, a growth supported by the expanded visa-free measures.
Personnel Changes in Major Tourism Enterprises
In August 2024, nine Chinese cultural tourism companies underwent key personnel adjustments. On August 3, Three Gorges Tourism appointed Lu Jianguo as Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Chen Jingjing who remained director and deputy general manager. Longyan Cultural Tourism Huijin Group named Huang Jinhuo as Vice Chairman and General Manager on August 11.
On August 14, Li Wei was removed from Chairmanship roles at Nanyang Cultural, Tourism and Sports Group and appointed Director of Nanyang Municipal Finance Development Center. The same day, Qin Lin resigned as director of Zhangjiajie Tourism Group and Li Xin was elected as a non-independent director. Sayram
Lake Cultural Tourism Investment Group removed Chairman Su Mingde and Deputy General Manager Cao Xudong on August 17, following a decision by the People’s Government of Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture.
Haichang Ocean Park Holdings announced leadership changes on August 18; its chairman and CEO resigned, with Chen Wancheng assuming the roles of Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer.
Visa Policies and Tourism Growth Remain Linked
China’s expanded visa facilitation policies have continued to promote increased inbound and outbound travel. The summer 2024 report highlights the effectiveness of these initiatives alongside record-high domestic trip volumes and tourism revenues, signaling robust development trends within China’s cultural and tourism sector.
