A: Starting from February 6, a pilot program will take effect to allow travel agencies to open outbound group travel for Chinese citizens to a selected group of countries. Travel agencies will also be allowed to offer flight and hotel packages to tourists starting at the same time. South Africa is included in the list of the first batch of selected countries for the above-mentioned pilot program.

Following the government decision to manage COVID-19 as a Class-B infectious disease and the provisional measures on cross-border travel, the level of new infections has come down in China and the number of inbound and outbound travelers are on a steady increase. Life and work are coming back to normal across the country and many Chinese are looking to travel overseas as tourists. China is now better prepared to resume outbound tourism. In accordance with the provisional measures on cross-border travel, China is resuming outbound tourism on a pilot basis for the safety and orderliness of such travel. The competent authorities will guide the tourism sector as they organize outbound tourist trips to ensure their quality and safety. We would like to remind the tourists to look after their health in the run-up to their departure and strictly follow the COVID protocols of their travel destinations as well as China’s so that they can have a healthy and pleasant trip and a safe journey home.

South Africa has been increasingly popular among Chinese tourists for its unique natural landscape and rich flora and fauna resources, and various sectors in South Africa are also keen to welcome Chinese tourists. It is believed that with joint efforts of both sides, China-South Africa tourism cooperation will achieve greater development, and that the Chinese economy and tourist industry, with great resilience and potential, will bring new development opportunities and significant benefits to South Africa and other countries in the world.