Japanese Travel Agencies Launch Campaign to Boost China Travel

This comes in the wake of China’s new visa policy for Japanese tourists

Japanese travel agencies have banded together to promote travel to China following the introduction of a visa exemption policy for Japanese travelers. This new initiative aims to leverage the increased interest and inquiries from travelers.

According to Haruo Toizawa, who manages the East Japan Overseas Travel Center at Tobu Top Tours, the recent visa exemption policy has dramatically increased inquiries and quote requests for group and leisure travel to China, with the agency aiming to return traveler numbers to pre-pandemic levels.

Mitsuhiro Keimatsu, an overseas travel manager at HIS, noted a 20% recovery in package bookings compared to 2019, representing a remarkable 15-fold increase from the previous year due to relaxed visa restrictions into China.

China’s visa-free policy, effective since November 30, 2024, allows ordinary Japanese passport holders to stay for up to 30 days for various purposes, including tourism and family visits.

In a reciprocal move, Japan eased visa requirements for Chinese tourists in December, extending the validity of group tour visas and introducing a new ten-year multiple-entry visa.

Nobuaki Iida, from the Japan Tourism Agency, expressed hope that these measures would enhance bilateral travel, stimulating economic growth through tourism.

Adding to the discussion, Ouyang An of the China National Tourism Office emphasized the necessity of fostering bilateral exchanges, particularly in tourism, to support long-term development. He stated, “We must once again recognize the importance of exchanges across various fields, starting with tourism and cultural interactions.”

China also aims to improve travel convenience through enhanced digital payment systems and booking processes to facilitate easier access for tourists.