0:00 / 4:06 新华社北京2月24日电 题：从"老外"到"老乡"，他们为何到中国过年？ 农历丙午马年春节，中国大小城市的街头巷尾，一抹抹"中国红"映照下，出现了越来越多外国面孔：他们热衷于品尝特色美食，用生涩的中文向 摊主道一声"新年好"；他们写春联、包饺子，开启"成为中国人"的"春节限定"体验…… 在线旅游平台数据显示，春节假期入境游机票订单量同比大幅增长。外国客何以青睐中国年？ 追寻原汁原味中国年 头戴装饰、手持鼓槌、跟随鼓点节奏迈出舞步……来自西班牙的女孩珠莉脸绘油彩，身着英歌舞服装，在师傅的带领下舞得飒爽。 春节前夕，广东潮州古城百花台，在现场的热烈气氛中，珠莉第一次体验了"如此有力量、充满活力"的英歌舞："我感受到了潮汕人对传统文化 的热爱与传承。" 2月13日，外国游客在广东潮州体验英歌舞。（受访者供图） 像珠莉这样"全身心融入"的外国游客，并不鲜见。今年春节，外国游客的足迹呈现出鲜明的"下沉、深入"特征。 ——非遗体验是"必选项"。 新华社"新华视点"记者杨湛菲、何磊静、陈爱平 越来越多的"老外"们被"Chinese New Year"（春节）所吸引。这场"国际春运"潮流，是便利化政策与 ...

Core Insights - The article highlights the increasing interest of foreign tourists in experiencing the Chinese New Year, driven by cultural immersion and favorable travel policies [6][7]. Group 1: Cultural Experience - Foreign tourists are engaging deeply with traditional Chinese customs during the Spring Festival, such as participating in local festivities and cultural performances [2][3]. - The appeal of non-material cultural heritage activities, like lantern parades and dragon dances, significantly attracts foreign visitors [2]. - The experience of local cuisine and cultural storytelling enhances the overall travel experience for international tourists [4]. Group 2: Travel Trends - Data from Ctrip indicates that by 2026, the number of inbound tourists to 12 county-level cities in China is expected to double compared to 2025, reflecting a trend of deeper exploration into smaller cities [3]. - The trend of inbound tourism is shifting from coastal cities to inland and border regions, indicating a broader distribution of tourist interest [8]. Group 3: Policy Impact - The implementation of visa-free policies for citizens from 50 countries has facilitated easier travel to China, contributing to the surge in foreign visitors during the Spring Festival [6]. - The overall travel experience during the Chinese New Year has been positively received, with many businesses remaining open and providing services that cater to tourists [6]. Group 4: Future Opportunities - The World Travel and Tourism Council predicts that by 2035, China's international tourist spending will reach approximately 1.5 trillion RMB, indicating significant growth potential in inbound tourism [8]. - Experts suggest enhancing the quality of tourism products and services, as well as improving operational capabilities during holidays, to better serve both local residents and foreign tourists [8][9].

Core Insights - The article highlights the significant growth in China's inbound tourism market, driven by a series of policy enhancements, particularly the extension of the transit visa exemption to 240 hours, which has led to a substantial increase in foreign visitor numbers and spending [2][3][8] Policy Enhancements - The unified 240-hour transit visa exemption policy has been in effect since December 2024, resulting in 40.6 million foreign visitors by December 2025, a 27.2% increase year-on-year, with a 60.8% increase in those eligible for the exemption [2] - The expansion of the visa exemption list to include 11 additional countries since 2025 has further stimulated inbound tourism, spreading the consumption benefits to border regions [2][3] Inbound Consumption Trends - Hainan has emerged as a benchmark for inbound consumption, with a 59% year-on-year increase in inbound tourists from January to November 2025, particularly from European and American markets [3] - The shift in visitor behavior towards deeper travel experiences is evident, with over 60% of inbound travelers opting for multi-province tours, moving beyond traditional tourist hotspots [3][6] Tax Refund Policies - The optimization of the departure tax refund policy has seen a 285% increase in the number of foreign travelers utilizing the service, with a 98.8% increase in sales and tax refund amounts [5] - The introduction of "immediate refund" services has significantly enhanced the shopping experience for foreign tourists, with over 60% of tax refunds being reinvested into further consumption [5] Technological Integration - The integration of technology in tourism has transformed the consumer experience, with modern tools enhancing communication and engagement for foreign visitors [6][7] - The rise of cultural and experiential tourism is supported by improved payment systems and service upgrades, making it easier for foreign tourists to navigate and enjoy their experiences in China [6][7] Market Potential - China's inbound tourism currently contributes only 0.5% to GDP, indicating a vast potential for growth, estimated in the trillions, as the market continues to evolve [8][9] - The industry is witnessing a shift towards personalized travel experiences, with a notable increase in demand for customized travel packages, particularly among independent travelers [9][10] Strategic Industry Responses - Major travel companies, such as Ctrip, are positioning inbound tourism as a key growth area, with significant increases in bookings and the establishment of dedicated inbound tourism centers [8][9] - The trend towards individualized travel experiences is prompting a transformation in traditional tour operations, with a focus on niche markets and tailored offerings to meet diverse traveler preferences [9][10]

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]