China has eased both outbound and inbound travel rules to further facilitate cross-border travel, in an effort to provide a much-needed boost to the country's tourism industry as well as channel optimism into the post-virus global economic rebound.

The country has resumed outbound group tours for Chinese citizens to another 40 countries and regions from March 15 onward, according to the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT). It is the second batch of destinations after the first batch of 20 countries and regions in February.

The 60 destinations span Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania and Latin America. Asian countries and regions are among the most popular destinations. South Korea, Japan, Australia and the U.S. are not on the list, and some have not lifted COVID-19 control restrictions for Chinese travelers.

As international flight capacity gradually recovers and prices decrease, the outbound travel market is expected to see a sharp increase during the May Day holiday and summer vacation. From March 26 to June 30, the number of outbound air ticket orders increased by over 500 percent compared with the same period in 2022.

The country reopened its borders to foreign tourists for the first time in three years since the COVID-19 pandemic erupted, allowing all categories of visas to be issued from March 15 onward, according to the MCT.

The number of cross-border tourists will surpass 90 million in 2023, a twofold increase year on year and back up to 31.5 percent of the pre-pandemic level, according to the Blue Book of China's Tourism Economy for 2023.