China's Outbound Visa Applications Surge in 2025 Driven by Europe

In 2025, China's outbound visa applications witnessed a significant double-digit growth, predominantly fueled by rising interest in Northern and Central-Eastern Europe. As travelers increasingly seek diverse experiences beyond traditional holiday spots, these regions have become pivotal in shaping the future of outbound tourism.

The report highlights that established destinations like Italy and Germany continue to gain traction, showing considerable double-digit percentage growth, despite their already high levels of activity. This trend underscores ongoing demand for well-known European locales even as travelers explore new options.

Regions such as Northern and Central-Eastern Europe are emerging as significant contributors to this growth. Destinations like Iceland, famed for its breathtaking northern lights, have seen remarkable increases from a modest base, while Norway and Sweden also posted notable enhancements, marking the Nordic region as a promising area for travel.

Poland and the Czech Republic, leveraging their affordability and rich cultural history, achieved growth rates notably above the average, showcasing their strong appeal among tourists. Meanwhile, Belgium and Portugal reflect healthy growth patterns, further illustrating the enduring charm of these established markets.

Despite their smaller market sizes, several emerging destinations exhibited impressive growth. Bulgaria stood out as one of the fastest-growing regions, while Croatia continued to attract travelers, emphasizing a strong interest in affordable and culturally rich locations.

The high growth rates in these markets indicate a significant shift, suggesting that they are rapidly evolving from niche destinations to potential hotspots for travelers. This transformation signals the ever-changing landscape of global tourism.

A surge in demand for medium to long-haul outbound travel, driven by the impending Spring Festival holidays, is also notable. According to Guan Jian, spokesperson for GZL International Travel Service, expectations are high for nearly 300 outbound tour groups in the week leading up to Chinese New Year's Eve.

The first travel peak occurred on February 9, as many opted for long-haul trips lasting between eight to twelve days, selecting destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and various European countries.

In total, China recorded a historic 697 million inbound and outbound crossings in 2025, an increase of 14.2 percent from the previous year. This rise is attributed to the country's expansion of visa-free travel and facilitation policies, further bolstering international travel and person-to-person exchanges.

Chinese tourism contributed significantly to this record, with mainland residents accounting for 335 million cross-border trips, reflecting a 15.1 percent increase from 2022. This aspect highlights the growing trend of outbound travel among Chinese citizens.

In response to increasing travel demands, Chinese airlines are broadening their route offerings. Beijing Daxing International Airport, for instance, announced that long-haul international travel options to regions such as the Middle East and Europe have gained significant popularity during the Spring Festival.

The airport set to launch a new flight route connecting Beijing Daxing to Helsinki, Finland, on March 29, thereby expanding passengers' travel choices. Last year, the airport managed nearly 5.9 million international and regional passenger trips, signifying a year-on-year increase of 24.56 percent and establishing crucial air links across Asia, Europe, and Africa.