SZ sees more inbound, outbound tourists

Shenzhen's tourism industry has been experiencing a rapid revival as many residents have been eager to plan outbound trips. Meanwhile, the city has also witnessed an increase in inbound visitors.

Early Saturday morning, guides from travel agency Nice Tour picked up a tour group at Luohu Checkpoint. The group was made up of dozens of Hong Kong and Macao travelers going on a two-day trip to cities in Guangdong Province.

Inbound travlers line up to cross the border into Shenzhen at Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint. Shenzhen Special Zone Daily

“I haven’t been to Guangdong for three years, I’m thrilled at the moment,” a Hong Kong tourist told Shenzhen Special Zone Daily.

Another Hong Kong travel agency, Wing On Travel, organized over 300 cross-border visitors from Hong Kong, entering various checkpoints in Shenzhen on Saturday.

A tour group leader surnamed Liu, told the Daily that the resumption of cross-border travel between Hong Kong and the mainland has sparked a frenzy of trips. A growing number of Hong Kong residents have traveled to the mainland, with many visiting parks, admiring flowers and nature, and exploring delicacies in Guangdong Province.

The illuminated Eiffel Tower in the Window of the World theme park in Nanshan District. File photo

On Feb. 6, China resumed outbound group travel to 20 countries, including Thailand, the Maldives, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and New Zealand. Bookings for outbound tours are now on the rise.

Xiao Wei, a staffer from Wanzhong International Travel Service, told the Daily, “Many citizens have consulted us for overseas travel since February. Tours to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia are the top destinations that attracted our potential clients most.”

“Travel agencies have arranged diversified routes for international trips, providing multiple options for people who intend to travel abroad,” Jiang Wen, CEO of Ctrip.com, said.

Insiders predicted a boom of international travel especially during the May Day holiday. According to data provided by Ctrip.com as of Feb. 21, the average flight ticket for a one-way outbound trip during the May Day holiday stood at 3,022 yuan (US$436), down by 51% year on year. The top five overseas destinations are Phnom Penh, Caticlan, Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Cebu.