Tour operators and agents have welcomed yesterday’s news that UK tourists will be allowed to visit China visa-free.
Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer announced during a visit to Beijing that UK citizens will be able to enter China for up to 30 days without a visa, bringing the UK into line with 50 other countries, including France and Germany.
Intrepid Travel UK Director Joanna Reeve said: “It’s fantastic news.
“We’ve been seeing strong interest in the country already – with bookings from UK customers up 71% last year compared to 2024 – driven by our family and 18-35s trips.
“The changes will make the process of visiting far simpler and more appealing. Many travellers told us the visa restrictions held them back, so this change will give them the confidence they need to finally make that booking.”
Wendy Wu Tours Head of Trade Sales Gary King said: “This is genuinely game-changing for China travel.
“Visa-free access removes one of the biggest practical and psychological barriers British travellers have faced, and it instantly makes China feel more accessible, more spontaneous, and far less intimidating.
“We expect this to give traveller confidence a real boost and to accelerate demand, particularly from those who have been waiting for the right moment to go. China is open, welcoming, and extraordinary to explore — and this announcement makes it easier than ever for people to experience it.”
G Adventures Managing Director EMEA Brian Young said: “From a G Adventures perspective, this is very encouraging news and we expect it to further boost interest in China, which is already gaining strong momentum.
“Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen triple-digit growth in bookings to China, and we’ve recently launched several new itineraries, most notably three from our brand-new National Geographic Signature with G Adventures collection.
“These high-end experiences offer travellers rare access and deeper insight through the lens of National Geographic, so this development is a very positive one for us.”
Meanwhile, Advantage Travel Partnership CEO Julia Lo Bue-Said said: “We warmly welcome China’s decision to grant British citizens visa-free entry for up to 30 days.
“Travel between the UK and China has seen a robust resurgence over the last two years, fuelled by restored flight connectivity and strengthening commercial ties.
“This announcement is a significant milestone that will undoubtedly accelerate this momentum across both leisure and business travel.”
