畅游240小时 外国游客深度解锁“宝藏中国”

Core Viewpoint - The implementation of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy has significantly enhanced the entry of foreign travelers into China, marking a successful year since its launch, and has created new opportunities for tourism and economic growth [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Impact - The 240-hour visa-free transit policy has led to a 60.8% year-on-year increase in the number of foreign travelers eligible for the policy, contributing to a total of 40.6 million foreign entries across the country, which is a 27.2% increase compared to the previous year [2][4]. - Major entry points such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou have seen substantial growth in foreign traveler numbers, with over 340 million, 534.6 million, and 320 million entries respectively, and a significant proportion of these travelers benefiting from the visa-free policy [4][6]. Group 2: Regional Growth - Secondary ports have experienced explosive growth, with Xiamen seeing a threefold increase in foreign entries under the visa-free policy, and Liaoning experiencing a 5.7-fold increase [4][6]. - The policy has facilitated cross-regional travel, with 60% of foreign travelers opting for multi-province tours, indicating a shift from mere transit to deeper exploration of China [9][11]. Group 3: Economic and Cultural Benefits - The policy has stimulated new tourism patterns, such as "transit plus deep travel" and "multi-stop journeys," enhancing cultural and economic exchanges across various regions [7][13]. - In 2025, Beijing's inbound tourist spending reached 41.7 billion RMB, a 48% increase, while Xiamen reported over 154.62 million inbound overnight tourists, with tourism consumption exceeding $1.33 billion, both showing growth rates above 49% [15][16]. Group 4: Service Enhancements - Major entry points have implemented dedicated channels and streamlined processes, such as online reporting and multilingual services, to improve the experience for inbound travelers [6][18]. - The introduction of a "one-click tax refund" service has further enhanced the convenience for foreign tourists, with a 229.8% increase in tax refund claims in the first three quarters of the year [18][21]. Group 5: Future Prospects - The policy is expected to continue driving growth in various sectors, including duty-free shopping and hospitality, with cultural consumption in Hangzhou rising to 45% and hotel occupancy rates increasing by 8% [23]. - With 21 new entry points added to the policy, the potential for inbound consumption growth remains significant, contributing to high-quality economic development [23].