21世纪经济报道记者高江虹 北京报道 2026年元旦前一天，来自德国的游客Kara和Nate兴致盎然地打卡 上海多处跨年市集，一路逛吃选购、尽兴游玩，一番体验下来，两人由衷感慨："亚洲最佳跨年市集竟 然在中国上海"。 而千里之外的海南三亚，沙滩上满是前来度假的外国游客。海南自贸港全岛封关运作启动以来，三亚免 税消费市场持续火爆。三亚市商务局披露的数据显示，12月19日至21日，三亚免税品销售额接连三日突 破亿元大关，这份亮眼成绩中，也少不了外国游客的助力。 尤其是2024年底升级的 "240小时过境免签" 政策，让外国游客"说走就走" 的中国游成为现实。过境免 签政策升级后，入境旅游新流量加速汇聚。据国家移民管理局数据，2026年元旦假期期间，入境外国人 中，适用免签政策入境29.2万人次，较2025年同期增长35.8%。 从"China Travel"到"China Shopping"，政策红利直接激活的入境消费热潮，正为 "十五五" 规划建议中 "培育国际消费中心城市，拓展入境消费" 的发展蓝图，注入强劲动能。中国作为全球新兴超级旅游消 费目的地的形象愈发鲜明，万亿级市场增量空间正全面开启。 政策组合拳发 ...

Core Insights - The upcoming National Day holiday coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival creates an extended "super golden week" of eight days, leading to a 45% year-on-year increase in cross-province travel orders according to Ctrip's 2025 travel trend forecast [1] - The inbound tourism market is also showing strong performance, with popular source countries including South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, Indonesia, the US, Russia, and Australia [1] - Major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen, Qingdao, Hangzhou, and Xi'an are becoming popular destinations for inbound tourists [1] Inbound Tourism Market Dynamics - Travel agencies, attractions, hotels, performances, and duty-free shops are enhancing product offerings in response to market demand, with companies like Zhongxin Tourism launching diverse inbound travel routes covering destinations such as Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, and Tibet [3] - Beijing's inbound tourism market has shown a strong recovery, with inbound visitors reaching 2.916 million by the end of July, a 46.2% increase year-on-year, and tourism consumption hitting $3.78 billion, up 49.6% [4] - Since March, monthly inbound visitor numbers have consistently exceeded 300,000, with significant growth observed in April, May, and June, averaging over 500,000 visitors [4] Policy and Initiatives - Various departments have introduced measures to promote inbound tourism, including a conference in June that led to the release of 22 initiatives focused on product, promotion, service, and support [4] - The Guangdong Provincial Culture and Tourism Department, in collaboration with multiple agencies, has issued 23 measures aimed at accelerating high-quality development in inbound tourism, covering aspects such as optimizing visa and customs policies and enhancing integrated marketing [4]

Group 1: Visa Policy and Market Growth - The implementation of visa facilitation policies, including the trial of visa-free entry for Russian tourists, is expected to boost China's inbound tourism market, attracting more international visitors to experience Chinese culture and natural scenery [1] - As of September 14, over 4.2 million foreign travelers entered and exited through Beijing ports this year, marking a year-on-year increase of approximately 34%, with over 1.2 million benefiting from visa-free and transit visa-free policies, accounting for 57% of all inbound travelers [1] Group 2: Changing Tourist Preferences - There is a noticeable shift in foreign tourists' demands from simple sightseeing to in-depth travel experiences, with a growing interest in local culture and authentic experiences [2] - Travel agencies and tourism-related businesses are responding to this demand by enhancing their product offerings, including customized and diverse inbound tourism routes [2] Group 3: Industry Adaptation and Product Development - Companies like China Youth Travel Service (CYTS) are focusing on inbound tourism, planning to strengthen customer relationships and adapt to the trend of individual travelers by enhancing their customized travel product capabilities [2] - Zhongxin Tourism Group is developing specialized inbound tourism products tailored to the needs of tourists from different countries, with plans to offer diverse travel routes covering major destinations [2][3] - The industry is encouraged to explore and develop high-quality cultural tourism products that integrate deep experiences and cultural narratives to capitalize on the growth in inbound tourism [3]

Core Viewpoint - The recent announcement by the Ministry of Commerce and five other departments aims to optimize the exit tax refund policy and expand inbound consumption, which is expected to stimulate a new round of high-level opening up and tap into China's consumption market potential [1] Group 1: Inbound Tourism and Consumption Growth - In 2024, inbound tourists are projected to reach 130 million, with inbound consumption expected to reach $94.2 billion, representing growth rates of 60.8% and 77.8% respectively compared to 2023 [1] - The implementation of visa-free policies and service facilitation measures is anticipated to boost inbound tourism, with 20.115 million foreign nationals expected to enter the country visa-free, marking a growth rate of 112.3% [1] - Specific regions, such as Beijing and Wuhan, are leveraging unique cultural attractions and events to draw international visitors, with Beijing expecting 3.942 million inbound tourists in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 186.8%, and Wuhan seeing a 2.3-fold increase in visa-free arrivals during the cherry blossom season [1] Group 2: Challenges and Solutions for Inbound Consumption - Current challenges include insufficient service capabilities at international transport hubs and inadequate international service support in certain regions or attractions [2] - To enhance the consumption service capabilities at international transport hubs, there is a push to develop integrated commercial functions at popular destination airports and to create duty-free complexes [2] - Improving the convenience of travel for foreign tourists is essential, including expanding the list of visa-free countries, optimizing regional visa policies, and promoting immediate tax refund services for shoppers [3] - The introduction of more quality inbound tourism routes and services, as well as the establishment of duty-free shops at eligible city ports, is encouraged to enhance the overall experience for inbound tourists [3]