Japan Airlines and Travel Businesses Anticipate Boost from China’s Visa Waiver Resumption
Japanese airlines and travel agencies are hopeful for increased travel to China following Beijing’s decision to resume visa exemptions for short-term stays. The reinstatement addresses long-standing barriers that have hindered tourism recovery since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Industry leaders, including Koji Shibata of ANA Holdings, express optimism for tourism demand growth as procedural hurdles are eliminated.
Japanese airlines and travel companies are expressing optimism regarding the anticipated resurgence of tourism to China. This optimism comes in light of Beijing’s announcement to reinstate the visa exemption for short-term visits effective Saturday. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely hampered Japanese travel to China, particularly due to challenges associated with visa acquisition. Koji Shibata, President and CEO of ANA Holdings Inc., noted that the removal of procedural hurdles is promising for travel growth. Additionally, representatives from major travel agency JTB Corp. are hopeful that this new development will stimulate tourism demand.
The travel landscape between Japan and China has been adversely affected since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with essential travel restrictions and stringent visa requirements impeding tourism efforts. Beijing abolished the short-term stay visa waiver for Japanese citizens in March 2020, a significant barrier that has hindered Japan’s tourism recovery in China. In contrast, various other nations have been added to the list of countries exempt from visa requirements, heightening concerns among Japanese travel sectors about their exclusion.
In conclusion, the reinstatement of the visa waiver for short-term stays in China is viewed as a crucial step towards rejuvenating travel between Japan and China. This change is expected to alleviate the visa-related obstacles that have plagued Japanese tourists, enabling a hopeful rebound in both tourism and business travel. Industry leaders anticipate that this development will lead to an increase in visitor numbers, enhancing bilateral relations and economic collaboration.
Original Source: www.nippon.com
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