Latest news with #foreignTourists
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
How can you claim tax refunds as a tourist in China?
China will extend its value-added tax refund policy for inbound tourists to a series of new locations from July 1, including the northern coastal city of Dalian and the central province of Hubei. It is just the latest in a series of moves by Beijing to make it easier for tourists to get tax refunds on retail purchases made during their trips. Other recent changes include allowing tourists to claim refunds at stores as well as border crossings. The new policies are designed to stimulate the Chinese economy by offering tourists a bit of cash back, in the hope they will use that money to buy even more. Compared with other countries offering tax refunds – such as Australia, Canada and Japan – China is a relative newcomer, with its refunds limited to a smaller number of regions and stores. But there are still significant savings to be made. Who qualifies for departure tax refunds in China? Visitors from any foreign country who spend fewer than 183 days in mainland China before departing are eligible for refunds. Tourists from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan also qualify.
Skift
05-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
India International Visitor Spending Hits Record High
STR reported China hotel data for the week ended May 31st. China hotel RevPAR fell 13% year-over-year, up against a tough comp of a 2% increase in the year-ago week. The decline was split somewhat evenly, with occupancy down 6.4% and ADR down 7%. The World Travel & Tourism Council said international visitor spending in India jumped to an all-time high of US$36.8 billion in 2024, up 9% over the pre-pandemic levels in 2019. India welcomes 20 million foreign tourists in 2024, surpassing 2019 figures by 2.3 million. They are projecting increases in 2025 off the record performance bolstered by increasing air connectivity, digital visa systems, and rising global interest in India's heritage and natural assets. Domestic tourism generated US$185.6 billion in 2024, up 22% from 2019 levels. The WTTC also expects that to rise in 2025, driven by younger demographics, increased disposable incomes, and a stronger post-pandemic preference for local exploration. The report indicated domestic tourists contributed nearly 84% of the total visitor spending in 2024. India's total travel and tourism GDP contribution in 2024 stood at US$249.3 billion, up 20% over 2019, about 6.6% of the national economy. Japan welcomed more than 3.9 million foreign visitors in April 2025, driven by U.S. demand and major cultural events. That is a new record, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization, and up 28.5% from April 2024. Arrivals from the United States were up 43% year-over-year, with visitors from the U.S. already topping one million in the first four months of the year. Thailand's government is on a full-court press to try to offset the negative perception and reception to their casino entertainment complexes plan. The expectation had been a quick passage so they could get them open before MGM opens their massive IR in Osaka, Japan. That has all changed. The government's press conference on the matter laid out plans for passage of the bill in 2026 (originally expected very early 2025), looking like fewer properties than before with higher budgets, opening in 2030-2031, right around the time MGM is expected to open in Japan. It also seems like they are changing their tune on the locals being allowed to gamble as the previous, very unpopular by the industry, plan to only have those with a lot of money in the bank to be allowed to gamble changed to only those on a negative list, such as self-exclusion or family exclusion being unable to enter the casino. Those areas without casinos will be viewed as potential for entertainment facilities like stadiums and cruise/yacht terminals. Next month is when lawmakers will start debating the bill, and there is still the Senate study, which is looking like it will have a negative bias, so this is definitely still not a sure thing. Hilton Tokyo announced it will redo its ballroom as part of a multi-million dollar phased renovation of event spaces to meet the growing demand from international and domestic markets. The remodel will transform the Shinjuku property's entire fourth floor, comprising a total floor space of 1,422 square meters, to create modern, tech-ready areas for flexible event experiences. This follows the completion of renovations on the third floor last year, which added 200 square meters of meeting space to the existing 1,000 square meters. This latest phase is due to be completed in October. The Kiku Ballroom will be remodeled to allow for partitioning into four sections. The hotel has 830 guest rooms and is known as a premier destination for events. IHG Hotels & Resorts has expanded its hotel management portfolio in Vietnam by signing an agreement with Nha Trang Bay JSC, a member of the GreenSpark Group. IHG will manage the voco Scenia Bay Nha Trang – By IHG, opening around the end of this year. The 250-unit property will have 28 floors, located less than an hour's drive from Cam Ranh International Airport. Amenities will include a swimming pool, restaurant, bars, and meeting facilities, and will be IHG's fourth hotel in the region. They have 20 hotels across eight brands scattered across the country. Dusit Princess Melaka, Dusit International's debut property in Malaysia, held its grand opening on May 29th. The hotel unveiled one of the largest meeting and event spaces in Melaka, further enhancing the city's appeal as a regional MICE destination. The 296-room hotel is located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage City. Pontiac Land Group, developer and owner of Capella Sydney, is looking for more mixed-use projects in Australia. Pontiac said they were attracted to the NSW capital due to high government spending on infrastructure, such as the metro, Australia's biggest public transport project. The 192-room Capella Sydney was opened two years ago. City Developments Ltd. agreed to sell its 50.1% stake in the South Beach mixed project in Singapore to its Malaysian partner, IOI Properties Group, for about S$834.2 million. The deal values the complex at S$2.75 billion, including the S$1.16 billion in liabilities. The project in Singapore's CBD includes retail space, a 34-story office tower, and a 45-story building housing JW Marriott Hotel Singapore. Far East Orchard Ltd. announced the termination of its joint venture agreement with Real Hospitality Group Asia Co. Ltd. The JV had been formed to establish a hospitality management business in China, but Far East said the JV had been unable to find suitable opportunities, so it was terminated. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has expanded its presence in Eastern India with the opening of Ramada by Wyndham Ranchi Bariatu Road, marking the brand's debut in the capital of Jharkhand. The hotel is located in the premium Rameshwaram Colony on Bariatu Road and was developed by Shakambari Builders Private Limited. It has 66 rooms and a full range of modern amenities, designed to cater to both business and leisure travelers.
CNA
15-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
US set to lose US$12.5 bn in foreign tourism in 2025: industry
PARIS: The United States is on track to lose some US$12.5 billion in revenue from foreign tourists this year, a tourism industry group said Thursday (May 15), as the Trump administration has led a crackdown in immigrants. The study by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Oxford Economics found that the United States was the only country set to see a drop in spending from foreign tourists this year. The drop to US$181 billion in spending by foreign tourists will put it 22.5 percent from the peak set a decade ago. The WTTC, made up of leading travel firms, said this "represents a direct blow to the US economy overall, impacting communities, jobs, and businesses from coast to coast". WTTC president Julia Simpson said that government support was needed to ensure tourism growth. "While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the US government is putting up the 'closed' sign," she said in a statement. With President Donald Trump leading a cracking down on illegal immigration, making politically charged comments about other nations, and slapping tariffs on foreign goods, there have numerous efforts by consumers in other countries to boycott US products and calls to skip travel to the United States. Visitors 'fearful' Simpson told the New York Times that some foreign travellers were afraid to travel to the United States. "There are also concerns over visas, whether they've got the right visa or might accidentally get arrested, which has made people quite fearful," she was quoted as saying. The report highlighted US Department of Commerce data showing sharp drops in March 2020 arrivals from key countries, including nearly 15 percent drops from Britain and South Korea. The drops were over 20 percent from Germany, Ireland and Spain. The report also noted other data showing a 20 percent drop in early summer bookings from Canada. "This is more than a dip. It's a wake-up call," said the WTTC. "The US is welcoming fewer visitors from its neighbours and countries further afield, which is a clear indicator that the global appeal of the US is slipping." Meanwhile, the report found that US citizens are travelling abroad more, further hurting the US travel sector. In 2024, the tourism sector contributed US$2.6 trillion to the US economy and supported more than 20 million jobs. It also contributed more than US$585 billion in tax revenues, or almost seven percent of the total.
