Starting this month, China is dropping mandatory COVID-19 testing for travelers returning from some overseas destinations. The move has been welcomed by tourists eager to go on holiday. CGTN's Huang Fei reports.

These tourists are about to board a direct flight to Auckland to start their 10-day tour around New Zealand. It's the first organized Chinese tour group to the southern hemisphere after a pilot period saw the resumption of outbound tours to 20 countries.

MR ZHANG, Tourist "We haven't been able to travel overseas for a few years. Of course I'm excited! This year I plan to visit six countries."

MS WU, Tourist "It costs more than 20,000 yuan – much more than pre-COVID and off-season prices. But it's the first group and I think it's worth it."

Spots for the tour package sold out as soon as they went online in early February.

WU MIANHUA, Tour Group Leader "It went so fast! Forty spots were sold out within just one minute. That was a new record for us! People set an alarm to grab tickets. We added another 21 spots but they sold out too."

These travelers are also the first to benefit from New Zealand's Approved Destination Status – or ADS visa, which is designed for tour groups.

RACHEL CRUMP, New Zealand Consul-General in Guangzhou "In 2019, China was the second largest travel market for New Zealand. In terms of our market research, New Zealand really delivers to what Chinese travelers are looking for in a holiday destination, and that is wide open spaces, beautiful scenery, a safe and clean environment. As airline connectivity improves, we expect more and more travelers to come from China."

Recovery for China's outbound tourism will be gradual. Capacity limits, staffing shortages as well as high global energy costs will put a cap on the rebound. But Beijing's latest policies are a welcome sign the world's biggest travel spenders are coming back.

HUANG FEI, Guangzhou "China was the world's largest source of outbound tourists before the pandemic. More than 150 million trips were made by Chinese Nationals in 2019. With the pent-up demand for travels now being released, airlines are reopening international and regional routes. The Guangzhou Baiyun international airport says it currently handles over 500 non-domestic flights per week to more than 50 destinations."

China's relaxation of pandemic rules has been welcomed by the business community as well. More than 30,000 companies worldwide are expected to attend next month's Canton Fair in Guangzhou. Organizers say they are working to make entry "as smooth as possible" for participants. Huang Fei CGTN, Guangzhou, Guangzhou.