CGTN Poll: Over 90% of respondents see surging worldwide interest in China

Summer escapes, experience-based tours, shopping trips, cultural journeys – this summer, "China Travel" has been winning over fans around the world. According to a global online survey conducted by CGTN, 92.9% of respondents said the surge in "China Travel" reflects a rapid rise in international interest in China.

From breathtaking natural landscapes and iconic landmarks to Hanfu, qipao and trendy tea drinks, foreign visitors are constantly adding new experiences to their "China Travel" wish lists. 

When asked "Which type of travel experience in China interests you the most?", more than half (54.7%) of the respondents expressed interest in historical and cultural landmarks such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Natural scenery, unique cultural experiences, and modern urban life in China ranked second through fourth respectively.

When asked about their interest in Chinese cuisine, 55.5% of respondents said they were most interested in traditional Chinese dishes, while internet-famous specialty foods, modern tea beverages and specialty drinks, and regional delicacies ranked second through fourth. 

When asked which products they would most like to buy if they traveled to China, respondents showed the strongest preference for tech products and smart devices (48.3%). Over 23% of respondents chose Chinese cultural and creative products with distinctive features, 18.7% chose specialty foods and snacks, and 9.6% chose traditional Chinese clothing and trendy fashion apparel.

According to the National Immigration Administration, China recorded 22.9 million inbound trips by foreign nationals in the first half of this year, up 20.4% year on year, maintaining strong growth momentum. 

In the survey, 92.8% of respondents said that content related to traveling in China on social media is continuously increasing their interest in learning about China and visiting the country; 87% of respondents believed that traveling to China in person helps them gain a more comprehensive and authentic understanding of Chinese culture, society, and the current state of its development.

Notably, 17.8 million inbound trips by foreign nationals were made under China's visa-free policies in the first half of this year, up 30.6% year on year. A series of measures aimed at facilitating inbound travel are attracting a growing number of foreign visitors to China.

The survey shows that 92.2% of respondents believe that convenient services such as mobile payments, high-speed rail, and shared mobility are becoming important components of the travel experience in China. Over 90% of respondents believe China's continued efforts to optimize its visa policies and streamline entry procedures have effectively boosted overseas travelers' willingness to visit the country; 79.6% of respondents hope to learn about Chinese travel information, discover more popular attractions, and explore travel experiences through locally developed mobile applications in China.

The survey was released on CGTN's English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian platforms, with 7,085 netizens voting and expressing their opinions within 24 hours.