China resumes group overseas tours in 20 countries from the 6th… Excluding Korea

Chinese authorities have partially resumed overseas group travel for Chinese citizens, which had been banned since the spread of the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19), from the 6th. A total of 20 countries, including Thailand and Indonesia, which are preferred by Chinese as travel destinations, as well as Russia, which is at war with Ukraine, have been designated as eligible countries for group tours. However, Korea, Japan and the United States were excluded. It seems that countries that have strengthened quarantine on Chinese people since the recent quarantine of Corona 19 were excluded in retaliation.

The Global Times, a Chinese state-run English-language newspaper, predicted on the 5th that travel agencies are rushing to prepare for the resumption of overseas group tours, and that overseas tours will increase significantly next month. An official from a travel agency introduced, “The first overseas trip in 2023 is a 5-night, 6-day group trip from Shanghai to Phuket, Thailand on the 6th.”

Trip.com, a Chinese online travel agency, has released more than 700 tour packages to 15 major cities around the world. A Trip.com official said, “The travel ecosystem has shrunk a lot due to the Corona 19 situation that has continued over the past three years.”

Chinese group tours abroad have resumed, but it seems that there will be no Chinese group tourists visiting Korea for the time being. This is because the Chinese authorities have excluded Korea from the list of countries that allow group tours. It is interpreted as a retaliatory measure following the visa restriction battle following the strengthening of quarantine for entrants from China. In addition to Korea, Japan and the United States are also excluded from the list of countries that allow Chinese group tours.

Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam are expected to benefit from the restrictions on group travel to Korea and Japan. An official from the Chinese travel industry said in an interview with Chinese media outlet Teng Xun Wang on the 6th, “As overseas group tours were allowed, the search volume for travel products increased 5 times in an instant. said.

In fact, Thai authorities are actively working to attract Chinese tourists at the government level. According to Thai media on the 6th, a Thai government official said, “The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and Ministry of Transportation are working together to take necessary measures to welcome Chinese group travelers.” It is expected to return to previous levels.”

Beijing = Correspondent Kim Ki-yong [email protected]