China’s inbound tourism is experiencing a massive boom! During the recent five-day May Day holiday, the number of inbound tourism orders surged by an incredible 173% compared to last year, according to Trip.com Group, a leading online travel agency in China.
This surge is largely driven by China’s updated tax refund policies. The country has shifted from a refund-upon-departure to a more convenient refund-upon-purchase model. This means international visitors can now receive their tax refunds immediately after making a purchase, making shopping in China even more appealing. Plus, the minimum purchase amount required for a tax refund has been reduced from 500 yuan to just 200 yuan (about $27.80).
Shanghai, one of China’s most popular destinations, is at the forefront of this change. The city has optimized its tax refund services to offer foreign tourists more convenience. Currently, Shanghai boasts 587 tax refund stores, with 284 shops offering the new refund-upon-purchase policy. In the first quarter of this year alone, Shanghai welcomed 1.743 million international tourists, marking a 37.1% increase from the previous year.
“Shanghai’s departure tax refund sales have always been among the highest in the country,” said Liu Min, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce. The city’s tax refund stores issued 86,000 tax refund forms to foreign tourists, with sales of tax-refunded goods reaching 2.37 billion yuan—a year-on-year increase of 86.6%!
China isn’t stopping there. New visa-free entry and transit policies have made it easier than ever for tourists to visit. According to Bloomberg, the World Travel and Tourism Council predicts that international tourists’ consumption in China this year will reach 1.04 trillion yuan, an increase of 13% over 2019. Virginia Messina, vice president of the council, mentioned that China’s tourism industry recovered strongly last year, and the outlook is quite optimistic.
With simplified entry policies, convenient transportation, and warm hospitality, China is becoming a top choice for travelers worldwide. According to Travel And Tour World magazine, China is even surpassing the United States in global tourism by making travel more convenient and attractive for international tourists.
So, if you’re thinking about your next adventure, China might just be the perfect destination with its rich culture, amazing shopping opportunities, and now, more traveler-friendly policies than ever before!
