Flight searches in China are increasing as officials eased Covid-19 regulations

And the impact of the country’s new Covid prevention program proves to be immediate and striking, particularly for oversea tourists aiming to visit the whereabouts.

According to data from Ctrip.com, inquiries and reservations for flights to China raised to otherwise unprecedented levels lately, soon after the Chinese government's statement on Friday: travel bookings as well as searches for international flights more than doubled.

Another relevant online travel agency, Tongcheng-eLong, recorded a 448% increase in global flight searches immediately after the official announcement was released, with the most popular destinations featuring Phnom Penh-Nanning, Seoul-Shenyang, Seoul-Qingdao, Phnom Penh-Guangzhou, Seoul-Dalian, Bangkok-Kunming, Vietnam-Guangzhou, and Kuala Lumpur-Guangzhou.

The new policy is well received throughout the tourism sector, as China used to have an extreme policy related to the Covid-19 virus leading to massive and repeated lockdowns, considerably impacting both locals and the economy.

However, the latest more relaxed measures are seen as a part of the Chinese government's strategy of resuming economic development in advance of future decisions related to the travel industry.

"It's a positive sign for the warm-up of the autumn and winter tourism market, and even next year's tourism market," commented tourism analyst Zhang Zhining.

"It saves the cost of aviation companies and time for passengers, and it will also increase the motivation to travel for tourists", added Zhou Weihong, deputy general manager of Shanghai Spring Tour.

China's new national Covid-19 prevention plan was voted by the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee on November 10.

The latest policy requires oversea visitors to China to spend just five days in a supervised quarantine facility, followed by three days of home isolation (5+3 days), rather than the 7+3 days system used so far.

At the same time, the disputed "circuit breaker" rule for foreign flights has been halted, and passengers will simply be needed to show proof of one negative RNA test taken within 48 hours of boarding. Two tests were formerly required.

Lockdown numbers will be significantly decreased, as well as high-risk areas will be labelled as low-risk if there will be no infections for a period of five consecutive days.

 

Source: simpleflying.com