China on Thursday announced the resumption of a third round of group tours to some 78 countries including the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India and the majority of European countries.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism made the announcement with immediate effect, specifying that the outbound group tour services to these countries will be resumed at all national travel agencies and online travel companies.
The 78 countries include 12 in Asia, 27 in Europe, 18 in Africa and others from North America, South America and Oceania, according to the notice.
“Since the trial resumption of outbound group tours for Chinese citizens, the overall operation of outbound tourism market has remained stable and orderly, which has played a positive role in promoting tourism exchanges and cooperation,” the ministry said.
China has previously resumed group tours to 60 countries over two stages earlier this year, including groups to Russia, France, Spain, Italy and other European countries, as well as countries in Southeast Asia and Africa.
Chinese travelers’ enthusiasm for outbound trips, pent up over three years, has been unleashed with a surge continuing from the beginning of the year until now, especially as students entered summer vacation.
While Southeast Asia remains the most popular destination for Chinese travelers with its relatively short distance and cheap prices, Iran, the Caucasus region, Central Asia, the Balkans, and New Zealand have become the “dark horses” in this year’s summer outbound tourism market.
(Global Times)
