Core Insights - In 2025, the number of foreign visitors entering and exiting China is expected to reach 82.035 million, a year-on-year increase of 26.4% [1] - The sales volume of goods eligible for tax refunds for departing foreign tourists is projected to grow by 95.9% [1] - The increase in foreign visitors and spending is supported by policy initiatives aimed at boosting inbound consumption [1] Policy Support - In March 2025, the Central Committee and State Council issued a plan to stimulate consumption, emphasizing the development of inbound consumption [1] - The "14th Five-Year Plan" includes fostering international consumption center cities and expanding inbound consumption [1] Visa Policies - As of June 9, 2025, China implemented visa-free policies for Kuwait and three other countries, increasing the total number of countries with unilateral visa exemptions to 48 [5] - The number of foreign visitors entering under visa-free policies reached 30.08 million, accounting for 73.1% of all inbound visitors [5] Payment Facilitation - The payment system in Guangzhou has been enhanced, allowing foreign visitors to use international cards and mobile payment apps like Alipay, leading to over 35 million transactions worth more than 11.3 billion yuan [7] - The growth in payment convenience has contributed to a 57% increase in transaction volume and a 58% increase in transaction value for foreign visitors [7] Tax Refund Optimization - The introduction of centralized tax refund points in major shopping areas has streamlined the refund process for foreign tourists, significantly reducing the time required for refunds [8] - In 2025, the number of foreign tourists eligible for tax refunds increased by 305%, with a corresponding 95.9% increase in sales of tax-refunded goods [9] Evolving Consumer Preferences - Inbound tourists are increasingly seeking immersive and quality travel experiences, with a 300% increase in bookings for intangible cultural heritage workshops and folk performances [12] - The trend is shifting from traditional sightseeing to more authentic experiences, with tourists expressing interest in local customs and lifestyles [13] Service Innovations - The demand for personalized travel planning services has risen, with travel planners catering to the specific needs of inbound tourists [17] - New tourism products and experiences are being developed to meet the evolving preferences of foreign visitors, including cultural and wellness experiences [18] Challenges and Opportunities - Despite the growth in inbound tourism, there are still challenges related to after-sales service for foreign customers, particularly regarding warranty and return policies [19] - Collaborative efforts between government and businesses are needed to enhance the consumer experience and address concerns related to cross-border shopping [19]

Group 1 - The 2026 Spring Festival holiday will last for 9 days, leading to a surge in cross-border travel demand and reshaping travel patterns for returning home [1] - From February 15 to February 23, 104,700 passengers traveled through Jiangsu's air ports, with Nanjing Lukou International Airport operating 42 international routes, including intercontinental flights to Paris, Melbourne, and Sydney [1] - Airlines have increased or launched new international routes to destinations such as Singapore, Phuket, Bangkok, Manado, and Kuala Lumpur to meet the travel demand during the Spring Festival [1] Group 2 - The holiday economy is experiencing a boost, with efficient departure tax refund services enhancing the shopping experience for travelers [2] - At Wuxi Shuofang Airport, a foreign traveler successfully completed the departure tax refund verification in under 3 minutes, thanks to dedicated verification stations and multilingual support [2] - From February 15 to February 23, Nanjing and Wuxi departure tax refund ports processed 44 tax refund verification requests, totaling 1,082,300 yuan [2]

Core Insights - The Fuzhou Customs reported a significant increase in the number of outbound tax refund applications, with over 600 applications and a total refund amount exceeding 2 million yuan in 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 4.2 times and 2.6 times respectively [1] Group 1: Tax Refund Growth - The outbound tax refund applications at Fuzhou Changle Airport Customs have shown substantial growth, with the number of applications increasing by 4.2 times and the total amount by 2.6 times compared to the previous year [1] - The customs facilitated the growth of the tax refund business by managing over 1.7 million inbound and outbound passengers, which is a 17.6% increase year-on-year [1] Group 2: Service Enhancements - Fuzhou Customs has implemented targeted service measures to enhance the tax refund experience for international travelers, including speeding up the tax refund verification process and utilizing various promotional platforms [1] - The customs has collaborated with local tax authorities and banks to improve data connectivity, allowing for quicker verification of goods and immediate system operations, thereby reducing the burden on travelers [1] Group 3: Future Initiatives - The customs department plans to continue promoting the outbound tax refund policy and optimize the regulatory process for tax refund goods, aiming to boost tourism and shopping in Fuzhou [1]

Core Insights - Chengdu Customs has reported a significant increase in the verification of outbound tax refund applications, indicating a robust growth in inbound tourism consumption [1][2] Group 1: Outbound Tax Refund Applications - In January this year, Chengdu Customs verified 4,582 outbound tax refund applications, with a total amount of 50.19 million yuan, representing year-on-year increases of 687.3% and 77.2% respectively [1] - By 2025, it is projected that Chengdu Customs will verify 19,000 outbound tax refund applications, amounting to 430 million yuan, with year-on-year growth rates of 295.2% and 139.6% respectively [1] Group 2: Inbound Tourism and Consumer Demand - Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, as a key hub in Southwest China, is experiencing a continuous rise in inbound and outbound passenger volume, expected to reach over 6.4 million in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 12.6% [1] - The expansion of transit visa-free policies is driving strong cross-border consumer demand, with popular refund items including bags, cosmetics, and electronics, which are becoming a "strong engine" for activating inbound consumption [1] Group 3: Customs Process Optimization - Chengdu Customs plans to optimize the verification process for outbound tax refunds by integrating various services such as health declarations and luggage declarations into a single window for "one-stop" processing [2] - To accommodate the increased inbound tourism during the Spring Festival, additional verification points will be established during peak business periods, along with a rational allocation of on-site human resources to enhance the convenience for outbound travelers [2]

Core Insights - Chengdu Customs has reported a significant increase in the verification of outbound tax refund applications, indicating a growing trend in inbound tourism consumption [1][2] Group 1: Outbound Tax Refund Applications - In January this year, Chengdu Customs verified 4,582 outbound tax refund applications, with a total amount of 50.19 million yuan, representing year-on-year increases of 687.3% and 77.2% respectively [1] - By 2025, it is projected that Chengdu Customs will verify 19,000 outbound tax refund applications, amounting to 430 million yuan, with year-on-year growth rates of 295.2% and 139.6% respectively [1] Group 2: Inbound Tourism and Consumption - Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is experiencing a continuous rise in passenger traffic, expected to exceed 6.4 million in 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 12.6% [1] - The expansion of the transit visa-free policy is driving strong demand for cross-border consumption, with popular refund items including bags, cosmetics, and electronics [1] Group 3: Customs Optimization Efforts - Chengdu Customs plans to optimize the verification process for outbound tax refunds by integrating various services into a single window for "one-stop" processing [2] - To accommodate the increase in inbound tourism during the Spring Festival, additional verification points will be established, and human resources will be allocated effectively to enhance the convenience for outbound travelers [2]

Group 1 - The Chinese New Year is attracting global attention, with various shopping districts and scenic spots in Shanghai offering tax refund services and traditional activities for foreign tourists [1] - The Zhang Garden "Haipai New Year Garden Party" is held from February 15 to February 23, featuring diverse shopping, leisure, and entertainment experiences, and serves as one of the city's main tax refund points [1] - The Zhang Garden provides multilingual tax refund operation guides and has introduced self-service machines to facilitate the tax refund process for consumers [1] Group 2 - The Shanghai Yao Xue Ice World launched a "Global Pet Guest Program" during the Spring Festival to create a winter wonderland experience, allowing visitors to enjoy snow activities and witness traditional performances [3] - Over the nine-day holiday, various traditional Chinese folk performances, including the Xie Dance, Yingge Dance, shadow puppetry, and others, are showcased daily at the Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park [3]

Group 1 - The Chinese New Year is attracting global attention, with strong cultural elements being showcased in Shanghai, drawing many foreign tourists to shopping districts and scenic spots [1] - The "Haipai New Year Garden Party" at Zhang Garden runs from February 15 to February 23, offering a variety of shopping, leisure, and entertainment experiences, and serves as a major tax refund processing point for foreign visitors [4] - Zhang Garden is equipped with multilingual tax refund operation guides and is piloting self-service tax refund machines to enhance convenience for consumers [4] Group 2 - During the Spring Festival, the Shanghai Yao Xue Ice and Snow World launched a "Global Pet Guest Program" to create a festive atmosphere with various activities, allowing visitors to enjoy winter sports and witness traditional performances [6] - Over the nine-day holiday, traditional Chinese folk performances, including Shou Dance, Yingge Dance, Shadow Puppetry, Iron Flower, and Bench Dragon, are held daily at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park [6]

Core Viewpoint - The State Council has introduced a work plan to accelerate the cultivation of new growth points in service consumption, emphasizing the importance of service consumption in driving high-quality economic development [2][3]. Group 1: Policy Framework - The work plan aims to optimize and expand service supply, with a focus on developing specific support policies for sectors such as home services, automotive aftermarket, and performing arts [2]. - The Ministry of Commerce will establish a "1+N" policy system to support the cultivation of new growth points in service consumption, implementing tailored policies for over ten specific areas [2]. Group 2: Quality Improvement and Consumer Benefits - An action plan will be developed to enhance service quality and benefit consumers, featuring over 60 specific measures targeting both supply and demand sides [3]. - The plan includes initiatives to improve service levels in cultural entertainment, tourism, and sports events [3]. Group 3: Infrastructure and New Consumption Models - The Ministry of Transport plans to foster new growth points in transportation service consumption, including the development of a high-quality car rental service network and the expansion of yacht and cruise consumption [4][5]. - There will be a focus on enhancing charging facilities at highway service areas, with a target of building over 10,000 charging stations by 2026, including at least 25% high-power chargers [4]. Group 4: Sports and Entertainment Consumption - The sports sector is expected to see significant consumer engagement, with ski resorts projected to attract 118 million visitors and generate a total consumption of 69.15 billion yuan during the 2025-2026 winter season [6]. - The network audiovisual sector is projected to reach a market size of nearly one trillion yuan by 2025, driven by the popularity of micro-short dramas [6][7]. Group 5: International Consumption and Tourism - The Ministry of Commerce is working to enhance the international consumption environment, with a target of 82.04 million inbound travelers by 2025, reflecting a 26.4% year-on-year increase [7]. - The growth of duty-free shopping is highlighted, with a 95.9% increase in sales of duty-free goods, and nearly 13,000 duty-free stores expected by the end of 2025 [7].

Core Viewpoint - The event "China New Year Illustrated: Global Influencers Travel China" held in Changsha showcases the city's cultural richness and aims to enhance its image as a premier destination for inbound tourism in China [1][22]. Group 1: Event Overview - The event took place from January 29 to January 31, 2026, organized by Changsha's Cultural Tourism Bureau in collaboration with Ctrip and Tripadvisor [1]. - Influencers from various countries, including Russia, the USA, the UK, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, participated in a three-day immersive cultural exploration of Hunan [1]. Group 2: Cultural Experiences - Influencers visited historical sites such as Yuelu Mountain, Yuelu Academy, and Aiwan Pavilion, experiencing the poetic beauty of Chinese culture [3]. - The evening at Du Fu Pavilion provided a picturesque view of the Xiang River, with influencers capturing the scene using drones [4]. - The transformation of the old industrial site into the "Changsha Oil Factory 1936 Cultural Park" impressed influencers, particularly the immersive theater experience [5]. Group 3: Historical and Modern Attractions - Influencers explored Orange Island, expressing excitement about its historical significance and the Mao Zedong sculpture [6]. - They visited the IFS shopping center, experiencing convenient tax refund services, highlighting Changsha's internationalization [8]. - The Hunan Provincial Museum showcased ancient artifacts, leaving influencers in awe of Hunan's rich cultural heritage [8]. Group 4: Culinary and Nightlife Experiences - Influencers enjoyed local delicacies at Fire Palace, with positive remarks on the unique flavors of Hunan cuisine [12]. - A night massage experience allowed influencers to relax and appreciate Changsha's vibrant nightlife [14]. - The third day included a visit to the largest indoor ice and snow park in Central China, enhancing the overall experience [16]. Group 5: Influencer Feedback - Influencers praised Changsha's innovative spirit and diverse culinary offerings, noting the unique character of each district [22]. - Observations highlighted the modern and lively atmosphere of Changsha, with plans for future visits to share the experience with friends [22]. - The event's success is expected to bolster Changsha's reputation as a top inbound tourism destination, promoting a more open and culturally confident image to the world [22].

Core Viewpoint - The State Council of China has released a work plan to accelerate the cultivation of new growth points in service consumption, focusing on enhancing service supply and promoting quality improvements for consumer benefits [1][7] Group 1: Key Service Consumption Areas - The plan identifies key service consumption sectors including transportation, housekeeping, online audio-visual services, travel, automotive aftermarket, and inbound consumption [3] - Specific measures include developing policies to promote the integration of railways and tourism, enhancing the tourism transformation of train stations and trains, and improving yacht infrastructure and services [3][4] Group 2: Inbound Consumption Initiatives - The plan outlines initiatives for inbound consumption, such as extending the trial period for unilateral visa-free countries, expanding the scope of visa policies, and increasing the number of tax refund shops for departing tourists [4] - It aims to create a more convenient and comfortable consumption environment for foreign visitors [4] Group 3: Service Sector Development - The plan proposes actions for various sectors, including specialized training for housekeeping services, support for private capital in online audio-visual services, and the development of travel destination cities [4] - It emphasizes the importance of optimizing service supply, promoting pilot programs, innovating consumption scenarios, and enhancing talent cultivation [4] Group 4: Entertainment and Sports Services - In the entertainment sector, the plan suggests optimizing performance management, setting reasonable safety capacity limits, and exploring the adjustment of certain performance groups to public welfare units [4][5] - For sports events, it encourages the introduction of foreign sports events and supports local mass sports activities while ensuring safety management [5] Group 5: Experience Consumption Challenges - The plan acknowledges challenges in experience consumption, such as the wide range of involved fields, difficulty in quantifying standards, and complexities in consumer rights protection [6] - It proposes innovative regulatory approaches for new business models and supports the inclusion of relevant professions in the national occupational classification system [6] Group 6: Support and Guarantee Measures - The plan includes measures to improve standard systems, strengthen credit construction, and enhance financial support [7] - It aims to align consumer demands for service experiences with industrial transformation, thereby stimulating consumption and contributing to high-quality development [7]