On July 25th, the "Promotional Conference on Business and Travel Activities in Guangdong for Foreigners" was held in Guangdong, showcasing information on the province's commercial districts, cultural tourism, tax refunds upon departure, and convenient payment methods to facilitate smoother business and travel experiences for foreigners in Guangdong. This event also marks Guangdong's proactive stance in seizing opportunities presented by China's 144-hour visa-free policy, aiming to further stimulate consumption growth.

It can be anticipated that the implementation of the visa-free policy will enhance Guangdong's openness to the outside world, boost cultural and tourism consumption, and drive development across industries such as tourism, business, dining, accommodation, transportation, and retail, thus strengthening the economic vitality in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

People are taking photos at the cyber subway station in Shenzhen, experiencing drone deliveries and autonomous driving, and marveling at Guangzhou's distinctive arcade buildings. Recently, "China Travel" has become a hot topic on social media platforms at home and abroad, with increasing numbers of foreign tourists sharing and documenting their travel experiences in China, garnering numerous likes and views.

According to data from the National Immigration Administration, in the first half of 2024, the number of foreign nationals entering China visa-free reached 8.542 million, a 190.1% increase year-on-year. From Guangdong's perspective, in the first half of 2024, over 5,000 people from more than 40 countries entered Guangdong via the 144-hour visa-free policy. The popularity of "China Travel" can be attributed to the continuous expansion of China's visa-free "circle of friends," especially with the extension of the "72/144-hour visa-free" policy to 54 countries, making it easier for more foreign tourists to visit China.

In terms of Guangdong's efforts, to facilitate payments for overseas visitors, the province has designated 82 key business districts, with 95.3% of key business owners accepting foreign cards. In terms of foreign currency exchange and cash withdrawal, Guangdong has over 6,800 foreign currency exchange outlets, ensuring full coverage at airports, ports, star-rated hotels, and other major foreign-related scenarios. Starting from July 11th this year, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has also provided a free one-day tour of Guangzhou for international tourists transiting through Guangzhou and entering via the "144-hour visa-free " policy. These meticulous measures and services demonstrate Guangdong's enthusiasm in opening its doors to visitors while enhancing the satisfaction and experience of foreign tourists traveling in Guangdong.

Source :Lingnan on the Cloud

评论｜“144小时过境免签”！广东做足准备开门迎客

7月25日，广东举办外籍人士来粤商旅活动推介会，宣传推介广东商圈环境、文化旅游、离境退税、便捷支付等商旅消费资讯，助力推动外籍人士在粤商旅更加便利。本次推介会也是广东抢抓我国144小时过境免签政策机遇，进一步挖掘消费增长点的重要举措。

可以预见的是，过境免签政策的落地实施，将进一步增进广东的对外开放并且拉动文旅消费增长，带动旅游、商务、餐饮、住宿、交通、零售等产业发展，增强粤港澳大湾区经济活力。

打卡深圳赛博地铁站、体验无人机外卖和自动驾驶、惊叹于广州富有特色的骑楼建筑群……近段时间，在国内外社交媒体上，“China Travel”火了起来，越来越多外国游客分享和记录在中国的旅游体验，收获了大量点赞和围观。

国家移民管理局数据显示，今年上半年，我国免签入境的外国人达854.2万人次，同比增长190.1%。从广东的数据来看，今年上半年，有40多个国家5000多人次通过144小时过境免签政策入境广东。 “China Travel”之所以火爆，首先正是得益于我国免签“朋友圈”的持续扩容，特别是“72/144小时过境免签”政策适用国家扩展到54国，让越来越多外国游客能够更便利地来到中国。

从广东方面来看，为使来粤境外人士支付更加便利，广东省共划定82个重点商圈，已有95.3%的重点商户支持受理外卡；在外币兑换和现金支取方面，广东省现有外币现钞兑换网点6800多个，机场、口岸、星级酒店等重点涉外场景实现外币兑换设施全覆盖；今年7月11日起，白云机场还对经广州中转、通过“144小时过境免签”政策入境广州的国际游客提供广州免费一日游服务……正是这些周到细致的举措和服务，彰显了广东开门迎客的热情，增进了外国游客在粤旅游出行的获得感和体验感。

文｜杨帅
译 | 洪婷