免签政策极大激发海外游客热情 “China Travel”吸引全球游客目光 一季度上海入境游174万余人次 同比增长37.08%

Core Insights - The surge in overseas interest in "China Travel" has made Shanghai a top destination for international tourists, with significant growth in visitor numbers from various countries [1][5]. Group 1: Visitor Statistics - In the first quarter of this year, Shanghai welcomed over 1.74 million international visitors, an increase of over 470,000 compared to the same period last year, representing a year-on-year growth of 37.08% [2]. - South Korea leads the visitor count with over 200,000 tourists, nearly half of last year's total from the country, followed by Japan with over 140,000 and Thailand with nearly 110,000 [2]. - Thailand showed the highest growth rate among visitors, with a year-on-year increase of 242.75%, while South Korea and Indonesia followed with increases of 142.37% and 118.51%, respectively [2]. Group 2: Impact of Visa Policies - The implementation of visa-free policies has significantly boosted the inbound tourism market, particularly from countries that are part of these arrangements [2][3]. - Countries with earlier implementation of visa-free policies have shown more substantial increases in visitor numbers, indicating a "fermentation period" for these policies [2]. Group 3: Growth from Other Regions - European and Oceanian countries have also seen stable growth in visitor numbers, with four of the top ten countries for visitor increases being from these regions, including Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and Italy [4]. - The U.S. had the highest number of long-distance visitors to Shanghai, with nearly 92,000 tourists, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 25.52% [4]. Group 4: Cultural Exchange and Economic Opportunities - The "China Travel" trend has fostered cultural exchanges and connections among diverse groups, enhancing Shanghai's position as a leading destination for inbound tourism [5][6]. - The influx of international tourists has created more development opportunities for local businesses, particularly in the hospitality and entertainment sectors [5][6].