Air China Launches First North America Greater Bay Area & Macau Tour, Boosting U.S.-China Tourism Under 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
LAPost / Los Angeles, CA (Feb 17, 2025) – Air China’s North America Regional Headquarters, in collaboration with the China National Tourist Office in Los Angeles, held a send-off ceremony at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for the inaugural “Nihao! China” Greater Bay Area & Macau Tour.
This tour is a new initiative launched following the global promotion of the “Nihao! China” national tourism campaign by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Developed jointly by the China National Tourist Office in Los Angeles and members of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), the program offers American travelers an opportunity to experience a technologically advanced, safe, open, and vibrant China. The itinerary includes Beijing, Macau, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen, promising an exciting 10-day journey.
（Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost）
Travelers expressed enthusiasm about their upcoming adventure. One participant, originally from Louisiana and now residing in Mexico, discovered the tour through a travel agency’s advertisement. Having never visited China before, she extensively researched destinations, cuisine, and shopping lists to prepare for the trip.
Jeff Tsang and his wife, Anna Tsang, immigrants from Hong Kong who have lived in Los Angeles for over 40 years, are embarking on their third trip to China. They are eager to explore the latest developments in the Greater Bay Area.
Growth in Inbound Tourism Driven by Visa Policy Optimization
China’s streamlined visa policies and facilitation measures—such as the 144-hour visa-free transit and the expansion of visa-free entry to more countries—have significantly boosted international travel. With the gradual restoration and expansion of international flight routes, China has witnessed a rapid surge in inbound tourism.
According to the National Immigration Administration, 64.88 million foreign nationals entered China in 2024, marking an 82.9% year-on-year increase. This tour coincides with China’s further optimization of its visa-free transit policy—starting in November 2024, China extended the visa-free transit stay to 240 hours while expanding applicable entry points and travel regions, offering greater flexibility for international visitors.
Air China Expands North America Route Network
In response to the global travel rebound, Air China has been continuously optimizing its international route network. The airline currently operates flights from five major North American cities—Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Vancouver—leveraging Beijing’s hub to provide seamless connections to major Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, as well as popular destinations across Asia and Europe.
Following the launch of the Greater Bay Area & Macau tour, Air China will continue collaborating with travel agencies to develop a “240-hour Visa-Free Transit” series, further unlocking the potential of cross-border tourism and enhancing travel convenience for international visitors. (By Richard Ren / LAPost)
