Shanghai airports see increase in inbound passengers amid expanded visa policies
(MENAFN) In the first half of 2024, Shanghai's two international airports, Pudong and Hongqiao, experienced a significant increase in inbound passengers, driven by China's efforts to stimulate the inbound tourism market through expanded visa-free policies.
According to Shanghai Customs, the combined number of inbound passengers at Pudong and Hongqiao airports exceeded 8.06 million during this period, marking a substantial 173 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year. Specifically, Pudong airport handled 14.79 million passengers, a 1.8-fold increase year-on-year.
Pudong airport currently serves international flights from 118 destinations across 48 countries and regions. As part of ongoing expansion efforts, new destinations are set to be added in July 2024, including Manchester in the United Kingdom, Marseille in France, and Penang in Malaysia.
China's recent initiatives to bolster inbound tourism include extending visa-free access to citizens of New Zealand, Australia, and Poland. Effective from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025, nationals of these countries holding ordinary passports can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days. This policy covers purposes such as business trips, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, as well as transit, aiming to further stimulate tourism and economic exchanges between China and these nations.
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