Southeast Asia’s tourist economies are set to be major beneficiaries of China’s easing of travel restrictions as it steers clear of pre-entry COVID-19 tests that Europe, Japan and the United States have imposed on Chinese visitors .
Even as the virus tears through its 1.4 billion people, the world’s second-biggest economy is opening its borders on Sunday, a move that will welcome travelers eager for a diversion after three years of strict restrictions. promises to unleash a wave.
CIMB economist Song Seng Wun said such newly mobile Chinese tourists would opt for “minimum hassle” and head for destinations where testing is not in demand, which benefits Southeast Asia.
“The busier the regional airports are, the better it is for their economies,” he added.
While Australia, Britain, India, Japan and the United States are among the nations that require a negative COVID-19 test from inbound Chinese, Southeast Asian countries, from Cambodia to Indonesia and Singapore, have all waived such requirements. Rejected.
Except for Malaysia and Thailand testing airplane wastewater for the virus, the 11 countries in the region will treat Chinese travelers like any other.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said, “We are not taking a stand to discriminate (against) any country.”
News of the lack of testing requirements had already fueled interest in the field.
At least 76% of Chinese travel agencies ranked Southeast Asia as the top destination when outbound travel resumed, according to a survey released in December by trade show ITB China.
