China Eases Travel Restrictions, Allows Group Tours to US, Japan, and More

China has lifted pandemic-era restrictions on group tours for countries including the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, potentially benefiting their tourism industries. Mainland Chinese tourists were the biggest spenders when traveling abroad before the pandemic, and their absence has caused financial difficulties for tourism-dependent businesses worldwide. Germany and Britain were also included in the list, while Canada was not reinstated. The move was welcomed by leaders in Japan, South Korea, and Australia, but the extent of outbound Chinese tourism remains uncertain due to factors such as limited international flights, slow visa issuance, and a sluggish domestic economy.