China has reported a significant increase in cross-border trips by foreigners compared to the previous year, indicating a gradual recovery in international travel. However, despite this uptick, the total number of trips remains below pre-pandemic levels, reflecting ongoing challenges faced by foreign tourists. According to a report by the Shanghai General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, the number of overseas tourists entering China through Shanghai and other ports from January to May 2023 reached 917,600.
While this represents a four-fold increase compared to the same period in the previous year, it accounts for only a quarter of the level during the same period in 2019, highlighting the lingering impact of the pandemic on travel patterns. The report underscores several challenges encountered by foreign tourists in visiting China, including limited availability of flights, lengthy and costly journeys, and the need for transfers at third locations.
Notably, non-stop flights between the United States and China have seen a significant reduction, with economy-class ticket prices soaring to approximately $2,000, more than double the pre-pandemic airfare. Moreover, the U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory cautioning U.S. citizens against travelling to China due to concerns over the arbitrary enforcement of local laws and the risk of wrongful detentions.
Despite this advisory, the report emphasises China’s reputation as a safe destination, highlighting its friendly services, stunning scenery, and renowned culinary culture. In response to these challenges, China is implementing measures to attract more foreign tourists, including the reintroduction of fast-lane services for various types of travellers, simplification of the visa application process, and the resumption of international cruises. The country is also enhancing safety preparedness, implementing stringent pandemic prevention measures, and strengthening regulation of the cruise transportation sector to ensure a safe and enjoyable travel experience for visitors.
While the road to recovery for international tourism in China may still be fraught with obstacles, the government’s proactive measures signal a commitment to revitalising the sector and restoring confidence amongst travellers amidst the ongoing uncertainties of the global travel landscape. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on international travel and border crossings in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. In 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, leading to the implementation of travel restrictions and border controls worldwide.
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According to the OECD, international tourist arrivals in these countries decreased in 2020 compared to 2019. Brazil had 6.62 million arrivals in 2019, which dropped to 1.74 million in 2020. Russia had 55.11 million arrivals in 2019, decreasing to 11.07 million in 2020. India had 42.36 million arrivals in 2019, which decreased to 10.88 million in 2020. China had 90.01 million arrivals in 2019, decreasing to 21.23 million in 2020. South Africa had 4.72 million arrivals in 2019, which dropped to 1.21 million in 2020.
In 2021, the situation improved slightly, but the number of arrivals was still below pre-pandemic levels. Brazil had 2.13 million arrivals in 2021, Russia had 14.59 million arrivals, India had 13.8 million arrivals, China had 14.39 million arrivals, and South Africa had 5.93 million arrivals. The pandemic also affected the number of cross-border trips by foreigners. In China, the number of cross-border trips by foreigners decreased by 75% in 2020 compared to 2019. In Russia, the number of cross-border trips by foreigners decreased by 77% in 2020 compared to 2019.
In India, the number of cross-border trips by foreigners decreased by 74% in 2020 compared to 2019. In South Africa, the number of cross-border trips by foreigners decreased by 72% in 2020 compared to 2019. The pandemic’s impact on global travel extended beyond just international visitors to China; it also significantly affected the number of cross-border trips by citizens of various countries worldwide. In Brazil, for instance, the number of cross-border trips by citizens plummeted by 76% in 2020 compared to 2019.
Similarly, Russia experienced a stark decline, with cross-border trips by citizens decreasing by 79% during the same period. India also saw a notable downturn, with a 77% decrease in cross-border trips by citizens in 2020 compared to the previous year. Reflecting the widespread nature of the disruption, China itself witnessed a substantial drop, with cross-border trips by citizens declining by 76% in 2020 compared to 2019. South Africa likewise felt the effects, with a 73% decrease in cross-border trips by citizens during the same period.
These figures underscore the profound impact of the pandemic on global mobility and the challenges faced by countries worldwide in navigating the complexities of travel amid evolving health and safety concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on international travel and border crossings in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The number of international tourist arrivals and cross-border trips by foreigners and citizens decreased significantly in 2020 compared to 2019. However, the situation improved slightly in 2021, but the number of arrivals was still below pre-pandemic levels.
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