China’s visa-free policy spurs tourism surge from South Korea

Photo: VCG

A visa-free policy launched by China has sparked an inbound tourism boom from South Korea, with a sharp increase in bookings for trips to the country. Ctrip, one of China’s largest online travel agencies, reported on Monday that from November 8 to December 2, the number of bookings from South Korea surged by over 150 percent compared to the same period last year, with month-on-month growth of around 15 percent.

Ctrip’s data showed that Shanghai emerged as the most popular destination for South Korean travelers, with bookings jumping by more than 180 percent year-on-year and over 40 percent month-on-month. 

Other cities across China, known for their diverse cultural and natural attractions, are also seeing a surge in…