Core Insights - The relaxation of visa policies, enhanced smart customs clearance, and optimized tax refund processes have significantly boosted the popularity of "China tours" among foreign tourists this year [1] Group 1: Black River, Heilongjiang - The implementation of a visa-free policy for Russian passport holders since September 15 has led to over 80% of hotel guests being Russian tourists, with services tailored to their needs [2] - The average customs clearance time has been reduced to 7 seconds, with a significant increase in cross-border traffic, showing an 82.7% year-on-year growth in foreign visitors [3] - Local initiatives include the development of a multilingual mobile app for tourists and training programs for service staff to improve communication with Russian visitors [3] Group 2: Guilin, Guangxi - Foreign tourists are increasingly seeking deeper cultural experiences rather than just sightseeing, as evidenced by their interest in local stories and traditions [4] - The Guilin tourism bureau has launched initiatives to enhance visitor engagement, including expanding airport capacity and promoting local culture through social media [5] - In the first half of 2025, Guilin is expected to receive 674,500 overnight foreign tourists, marking a 79.7% increase, with international tourism revenue projected to reach $263 million, up 82.4% [5] Group 3: Zhangjiajie, Hunan - The introduction of a visa-free policy for South Korean passport holders has led to a surge in travel bookings, with Zhangjiajie becoming a popular weekend destination [6] - Zhangjiajie has integrated cultural elements into its tourism offerings, enhancing its appeal through film-related attractions and targeted marketing strategies [6] - The number of inbound tourists to Zhangjiajie is projected to reach 1.83 million in 2024, with a focus on developing high-quality extreme sports and cultural events to attract younger visitors [7]

Group 1 - The global tourism market is shifting from "check-in sightseeing" to "in-depth cultural experiences" as highlighted by tourism authorities and international organizations from 30 countries and regions gathered in Hangzhou [1] - The "2024-2025 Cross-Border Tourism Consumption Trend Research Report" indicates that since the second half of 2024, China has been expanding its visa-free policy, enhancing services for foreign visitors, which significantly boosts their willingness to travel to China [3][5] - The President of the Asia-Pacific Tourism Association noted that visa facilitation can increase inbound tourism by an average of 8%, while visa-free policies can lead to a 16% increase, indicating growing interest from Asian tourists in China [5] Group 2 - The report forecasts a new trend in China's outbound tourism market from Q3 2024 to the end of Q2 2025, characterized by "short trips first, experience-driven," with Southeast Asia emerging as a key growth area for short-haul travel [9] - Long-haul travel sees Italy rising in popularity, with cultural experience tourism gaining traction [9] - The report also predicts a 3% to 5% year-on-year growth in global cross-border tourist numbers by 2025, with experiential tourism continuing to be a key driver for the industry [11] Group 3 - The CEO of the Italian National Tourism Agency reported an 18% year-on-year increase in Chinese tourists visiting Italy, noting a significant change in travel habits among Chinese youth who seek deeper experiences and community engagement [12]

Core Insights - The influx of foreign tourists to China has increased significantly this year, with a focus on cultural experiences rather than just visiting iconic landmarks [3][5][11] - The number of inbound tourists has risen by 27.8% from January to August, with visa-free entries increasing by 52.1% [9][11] - Customized travel experiences are becoming more popular, with travel agencies offering more diverse and immersive cultural activities [5][7] Group 1: Tourist Experience - Foreign tourists are engaging in hands-on cultural activities, such as making dumplings, which enhances their travel experience [1][3] - There is a growing trend of tourists preferring smaller cities for deeper cultural immersion, moving away from just major urban centers [11] - The demand for customized travel experiences has surged, with travel agencies reporting increased inquiries for tailored itineraries [5][7] Group 2: Travel Data - From January to August, 51.27 million foreign visitors entered and exited China, with 15.89 million being visa-free entries [9] - The number of cities booked by foreign tourists has increased to 171, with new destinations being primarily smaller cities known for their natural beauty [9][11] - The fastest-growing flight bookings for foreign tourists are to third-tier cities, with some destinations seeing up to a ninefold increase in bookings [11]