Chongqing - Nestled amidst its scenic mountainous splendor, Chongqing has subtly risen to become a favored destination among global travelers, particularly capturing the hearts of those from Southeast Asia. This ascent in recent years can be attributed to strategic policy enhancements and a dynamic approach to market engagement, positioning Chongqing as a distinguished beacon in the global tourism landscape.

Reflecting this burgeoning appeal, statistics from the Chongqing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection paint an impressive picture: the past year saw the count of flights at Chongqing’s aviation ports surpass 8,600, ferrying over 806,000 passengers. This surge underscores a robust upward trajectory in travel activity. Significantly, tourists from Southeast Asia have carved out a predominant role in invigorating Chongqing’s inbound tourism sector, proving to be a pivotal driver in the rejuvenation of its tourism market.

A departure ceremony for an inbound tourism group of over 400 people embarking on an 11-day Yangtze River journey aboard the Century Cruise. (Photo provided to Bridging News)

Visa exemption policies 

On January 2, 2024, Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin made a significant announcement in Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok): Starting March 1, 2024, Thailand will enact a permanent visa exemption for Chinese citizens. Thai PBS’s online poll revealed that Chongqing is the top Chinese city that Thai netizens wish to explore. Complementing this, iChongqing’s social media videos on the subject attracted over 140,000 views and 2,000-plus engagements, reflecting burgeoning curiosity and enthusiasm.

Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, declared that commencing in March, China and Thailand will mutually implement a permanent visa exemption for their respective citizens. (Photo/Xinhua News Agency)

During the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting between Singapore and China, Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, disclosed plans for a 30-day mutual visa waiver. This move, aimed at accommodating the increasing flight frequency between the nations, is set to bolster personnel exchanges significantly.

At the exhibition, engrossed Singaporeans discover the intricate beauty of Chongqing’s intangible cultural heritage. (Photo/Zhao Yingzhao)

Qin Jing, General Manager of Public Affairs at Ctrip Group, remarked that the ongoing refinement of entry and exit policies marks a boon for cross-border tourism. The mutual visa exemption between China and Southeast Asian countries promises to catalyze cultural exchanges and foster tourism development, enhancing the ease of business, exhibitions, and travel. This policy shift is projected to substantially elevate China’s inbound tourism market this year.

Echoing this sentiment, the China Tourism Academy forecasts an uptick in China’s travel statistics, with inbound and outbound tourist numbers and international tourism revenue poised to surpass 264 million and 107 billion USD, respectively. This projection heralds a swift recovery and growth in the inbound and outbound tourism sectors.

Chongqing’s rise as a leading destination

Recently, Chongqing has been on the cusp of a significant breakthrough in its inbound tourism sector, primarily fueled by easing visa exemption policies between China and Southeast Asian nations. This development is catalyzing Chongqing’s ascent as a major contender in the regional tourism arena. The city’s cultural and tourism ties with Southeast Asian countries are notably deepening, bolstered mainly by the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Strategic Connectivity Initiative and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework.

The China-Singapore (Chongqing) Cultural and Tourism Industry Alliance 2023 Tourism Product Launch & Reception was held in Southwest China’s Chongqing on March 29. (Photo/Chongqing Window of International Culture and Tourism)

A testament to this growing synergy is the memorandum of cooperation inked between the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development and the Singapore Tourism Board, establishing the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Cultural and Tourism Industry Alliance, a venture poised to amplify bilateral cultural and tourism industry ties. In a landmark move last July, the two regions jointly launched the Chongqing-Singapore reciprocal tourism initiative, a program designed to enhance mutual tourist visits.

China-Singapore (Chongqing) Cultural and Tourism Industry Alliance Tourism Product Launch & Reception was held in Chongqing. (Photo provided to iChongqing and Bridging News)

Liao Wei, General Manager of China Tourism Group (Chongqing), underscores the pivotal role Southeast Asian tourists play in revitalizing Chongqing’s inbound tourism. Since last year, targeting Southeast Asian markets has been a strategic focus, capturing over 20% of Chongqing residents’ outbound tourism and approximately 80% of its inbound tourism market share.