Visa relaxations that may be introduced on Hainan Island starting May 1 only apply to organized travelers, travel agencies told TRN.
"The Chinese authorities have extended the period of stay of Russians on the island under a visa-free regime. "The group list has been extended to 30 days (instead of 21 days) and the minimum number of tourists per group has been lifted. These relaxations only add to the appeal of Hainan Island's resorts. Extending the length of stay on the island will primarily attract tourists who would like to combine a seaside vacation with traditional Chinese medicine," explains the head of the company's agency relations department Rus-Tour Vadim Akimov.
As reported to TRN by the association A World Without Borders, official data on visa changes will be released at the end of April.
"According to our partners in China, several changes were announced at a press conference by the State Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China that will affect foreign citizens arriving on Hainan Island under visa-free group lists," China Tour and Business Travel reported. "We have also received preliminary information about these changes, but official details have not yet been received and may not be announced until the end of April."
Currently, Russian citizens booking a tour through an agency and arriving to Hainan Island via Sanya Airport on a direct nonstop flight are granted visa-free entry (based on travel lists) for a minimum of two people for a stay of up to 21 days. If the changes are approved, starting May 1, 2018, even one person will be able to book a visa-free tour through an agency, with the potential stay extended to 30 days. However, Russian citizens will only be able to enter Hainan Island with this visa if they do not leave the island, change their place of residence, or reside within China.
Tour operators clarify that these changes do not apply to individual tourists, who can visit the resort independently after obtaining the appropriate visa at a visa center.
"We're not talking about visa abolition, but rather about relaxations for tourists traveling through agencies on visa-free lists. These relaxations aren't significant, but they could still have a positive impact on Russian tourists visiting Hainan Island," he said. Head of Marketing at ChinaTrаvel, Evgeny Glotov.
China Tour and Business Travel emphasized that the changes could positively impact the popularity of wellness programs offered by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) centers, which are in demand among Russian tourists. Extending the length of stay and allowing one person to enter the center on a designated entry list allows for a stay for the entire treatment period planned by doctors.
Let us recall that the intergovernmental Agreement on visa-free group tourist travel between the Russian Federation and China has been in force since February 2000.
As Rus-Tour notes, demand for Hainan is always high.
"This is facilitated by a well-developed flight program on regular flights, guaranteed hotel rooms, and high-quality service on the island. Demand for combination tours—sightseeing programs in mainland China plus a vacation on Hainan Island—has also increased," — Vadim Akimov said.
It's worth noting that the tour operator "Pearl River," whose flight schedule to Hainan was disrupted, has announced a new flight date: flights from Moscow to Haikou are scheduled to begin on April 27. Pegas Fly will operate this route.
Source: trn-news.ru