Foreign Bloggers Challenge Negative Portrayal of China, Boosting Tourism

Foreign bloggers are actively challenging the often negative portrayal of China in Western media by sharing their positive travel experiences on social media. This "China travel bandwagon" is not only turning travel in China into a social media phenomenon but is also enhancing the nation's global image and boosting its inbound tourism.

In the first seven months of 2023, over 5.72 million foreign tourists visited the Chinese mainland, a 403% increase compared to the same period in 2022. This surge in tourism is attributed to the positive portrayal of China by foreign bloggers, the expansion of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, and the increasing interest in Chinese culture and economic development.

YouTube duo Shevelle and Devan, with over 500,000 subscribers, are among the prominent foreign bloggers promoting China. They recently embarked on their second trip to the Chinese mainland, starting in Guangzhou. Their videos, titled "China is not what I expected" and "The world was wrong about China," showcase their awe-inspiring experiences and dispel stereotypical views of the country.

The positive feedback from foreign bloggers coincides with China's expansion of its visa-free transit policy. This policy allows citizens from 54 eligible countries to stay in certain Chinese cities for up to 15 days without a visa. This has further boosted tourism, with travel agencies reporting a 166% increase in inbound tourism bookings from foreign countries.

The increasing interest in Chinese culture and economic development is also attracting tourists from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Many travelers are fascinated by China's high-speed railway system and its economic advancements.

The positive portrayal of China by foreign bloggers, coupled with the visa-free transit policy and the growing interest in Chinese culture, is significantly boosting the country's inbound tourism. This trend is expected to continue in the near future, further enhancing China's global image and promoting cross-cultural understanding.