MADRID, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's recent extension of the visa-free policy to Switzerland and Ireland, in addition to five EU countries and Malaysia, is hailed by the UN tourism body as a major advancement in the global tourism industry's recovery.
Senior officials from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said that it not only showcases China's trust in the world, but also underscores its confidence in the tourism industry.
"The whole world has been waiting for China to open up more, and now Chinese tourists are coming back," Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary-general of UNWTO, told Xinhua ahead of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR), affirming China's contribution to the world's tourism industry. "At the same time, everyone wants to visit China, and its fantastic cultural heritage is well worth visiting."
The five-day FITUR, which will kick off here on Wednesday, is expected to attract 8,500 exhibitors and more than 200,000 visitors.
Pololikashvili's view was echoed by Natalia Bayona, executive director of UNWTO, who said that China's visa-free policy is incredible and will help the tourism industry recover.
"That's a synonym of trust of confidence," she said.
The World Tourism Barometer, published by the UNWTO on Friday, shows that international tourist arrivals will return to pre-epidemic levels by 2024.
"Outbound and inbound tourism from China is expected to grow rapidly in 2024 due to visa facilitation and increased airline capacity," it said.
The UNWTO Barometer also emphasizes a stronger recovery in the Asian market. Pololikashvili believes that with the contribution of the Chinese market, "tourism will reach pre-epidemic levels by the end of 2024."
Seeing great promise for the Asian market with China leading the way, Bayona said, "investment in all sectors of the economy is booming in Asia, and when you talk about Asia, you have to mention China."
China's booming tourism industry, she said, will lead neighboring countries to prosper together. ■
